Coming to a Grocery Store Near You: McDonald’s Coffee

The fast-food chain is partnering with Kraft to test McCafe whole bean, ground and single-serve coffee for supermarket shelves.

November 01, 2013

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Soon, lovers of McCafe coffee will be able to brew some up in the comfort of their own homes. McDonald’s is teaming up with Kraft to transform its McCafe coffee into whole bean, single-serve and ground forms for sale at grocery stores, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The packaged coffee will be tested in several markets starting in 2014, but no word yet on in which cities the pilot program will run. McDonald’s has sold McCafe drinks for several years, but only in restaurants. This would mark the burger chain’s first foray into the U.S. grocery market. McDonald’s has sold packaged coffee in Canada for around 12 months.

“We are building on the momentum of our McCafe beverages in our restaurants by expanding these options...to grocery stores and other retail locations,” said a company spokeswoman.

A few years ago, Kraft’s deal with Starbucks imploded, which lowered sales of Kraft’s coffee line, which includes Gevalia and Maxwell House. Tony Vernon, Kraft CEO, doesn’t think the McCafe line will siphon sales from Kraft’s current coffee products because the McCafe coffee is a bit above Maxwell House and a bit below Gevalia brands.

However, McCafe’s single-serve pods will likely steal some sales away from Dunkin’ Donuts’ K-Cups.

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