Coffee war brews between Starbucks and McDonalds
McDonalds Web site pokes fun at Starbucks snobbery
1:08 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2008
The "Golden Arches," Starbucks' newest nemesis, have a fresh tactic in their battle for America's coffee dollars. If you can not outsell Starbucks, how about just giving it away.
McDonald's latest campaign is Free lattes on Friday mornings in Seattle, Starbucks hometown.
"It's quite comparable to Starbucks," one tester said.
There is nothing subtle about this battle of the brews. Aside from the free coffee, McDonalds has launched a website essentially poking fun of Starbucks.
The website address "unsnobbycoffee.com" does not leave much to the imagination. The site is devoted to making Starbucks look snooty and overpriced.
"Well, there's always a catch with something that's free. But it was okay. I don't think it's any better than Starbucks," said another tester.
Starbucks has a public relations offensive of its own. They recently shut down every store in the country to re-train baristas, and of course get lots of press coverage.
"So, we're hoping that our baristas will walk away with a renewed focus on our standards, and appreciation for all the work that goes into our coffee," Starbuck manager Ann-Marie Kurtz said.
Starbucks is not backing down, but McDonald's is not exactly easing up. If it takes giving the stuff away to take over the coffee throne, they are apparently willing to do it, at least for the next few weeks.
Comments
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May. 12, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)melprees (anonymous)
I wouldn't pay for Starbucks coffee anyway, but then again I don't think much of the quality of McDonalds food either.
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