CHICAGO (AP) – Smoothies, iced coffee and other specialty coffees could be added to the menu at U.S. McDonald’s restaurants, a top executive of the world’s largest restaurant chain said Wednesday.
Ralph Alvarez, president and chief operating officer of McDonald’s Corp., said the company is exploring those drinks and others as it seeks “destination beverages” to bring new customers to its restaurants.
“Our beverages have really been complementary to a sandwich purchase,” he said at a conference sponsored by Bear Stearns in New York. “That’s the space we offer it in. So we are going after destination beverages that attract visits from customers to McDonald’s throughout the day.”
McDonald’s already has scored a hit beverage recently with the addition of premium coffee to its more than-,700 U.S. restaurants a year ago. Alvarez said coffee unit volume is up 15 per cent as a result.
The introduction of a higher-priced coffee was part of the Oak Brook, Ill.-based chain’s push to grow its breakfast business, and Alvarez made clear that expansion effort remains a top priority as reflected by aggressive marketing and new products.
Read: McDonald’s exploring adding smoothies, other specialty drinks
[tags]McDonald’s, coffee, smoothies, specialty drinks, premium coffee[/tags]
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