McDonald’s brews frustration among Hongkongers over decision to stop selling ground and premium roast coffee
- Fast food giant to offer some products from McCafé at all locations as replacement
- ‘The only reason I have McDonald’s breakfast is for the coffee,’ one social media user wrote on Facebook
Hongkongers on Monday expressed frustration and disappointment over McDonald’s decision to discontinue two legacy coffee products to make way for its premium sub-brand McCafé.
The fast food giant on Facebook said it would stop selling its ground and premium roast coffee, including both hot and iced versions, from 6pm on Monday.
The premium roast coffee was often included as a complimentary drink option in breakfast combos, with the ground coffee available for a HK$2 (25 US cents) surcharge.
As a replacement, McDonald’s said starting Tuesday some drinks from its coffee-house sub-brand McCafé, such as americanos and lattes, would be made available at all of its restaurants across the city.
McCafé products are currently only available at select locations.
The company said customers would now be able to substitute their combo drink with an americano at no charge. They will also be able to upgrade to a “Hong Kong-style” white coffee for HK$2 or a latte for HK$5. Currently, it costs HK$8 to add an americano.
“McDonald’s is committed to improving customers’ coffee experience,” the company said in a statement. “McCafé will be taking up the baton to provide everyone with higher-quality coffee.”
