Coffee Wars
Hello everybody!
So, I’m sure you guys have heard about the all out brawl that’s going on in the coffee industry right now. McDonald’s, Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts have all waged large scale campaigns to position themselves as the industry’s leader.
Dunkin’ Donuts has announced that they are going to remodel select locations. Coffee Beans will be displayed on counters and the walls will be painted earth-toned hues to give them a more cozy coffee house feel, in hopes that customers will feel more invited to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. I thought America ran on Dunkin’… I guess America is now sitting around on Dunkin’.
McDonald’s has bombarded the media with it’s “McCafé your day” campaign. I must admit that the ads are clever, but does drinking an iced coffee beverage make your day any better? Come on, a crowed bus is still a crowed bus even with a delicious coffee beverage in hand. In fact juggling a cold or hot cup of Joe my not be the best idea… burn victim or burn victimé ?
While DD and McDonald’s are trying to appear more upscale, Starbucks is trying to separate itself from this image. They are trying to play up its humble beginnings as an entrepreneur. It’s true Starbucks’ story is a true American Dream, it started as one small coffee house in Seattle and grew to be one of the most recognizable franchises in the world. Their pricing certainly takes advantage of that status. This mug from www.zazzle.com says it all with this catchy line “Starbuck owns the mortgage on my house.”
I feel like this “war” has more to do with the economic strain than it actually has to do with coffee. Starbucks got hit hard during the recession, which wasn’t a surprise; it was an expense people could easily cut out of their lives (they would worry about the withdrawal shakes later). McDonald’s and DD saw this as an opportunity to swoop in and get their piece of the pie aka the multimillion dollar industry, but at what price? There is nothing wrong with a little reinvention, but it seems like all three of these companies are loosing themselves in these new campaigns. What do you think?
I agree with you. Whether food or drink, people aren’t about to give up their pet habits or treats because of a recession–they’re just going to downscale. McDonald’s is making a killing off this recession.
I just plain think Starbucks is gross (I call it “Jungle Mud”–SO EARTHY for the average drinker, and Pike Place isn’t much better!), and McDonald’s is too nutty (I don’t do foo-foo- drinks very often). Plus, in my neighborhood, McD’s is still McD’s regardless of the “fireplace” and two comfy chairs. You still have to put up with running, screaming, unattended kids and various ‘creeper’ clientele. What a getaway. My coffee-snoot nephew introduced me to Burger King coffee: “It’s the BEST, and you can get it anywhere,” he said. So when I’m out and about, it’s BK I get; I’ll pass up any coffee house for my amazing BK Joe.
On an unrelated note, does CBD have a way for me to share it on Facebook with my coffee-loving friends? I’m so glad you found me via chance birthday present from my sister–and now we order 15# about every two months for three coffee drinkers. Help me; I’m addicted to Cookiedoodle.
Starbucks is like drinking burnt coffee. Yuk – cocka ca pooh pooh
Mickey D’s don’t know about.
If I stop to buy a coffee – Dunkin D’s is by far the best! In fact I would like to know what bean they use for there coffee and would buy that green from CBD to roast myself. Any idea what they roast?
Hmmm that’s a tough one. The only info that Dunkin’ Donuts provides us with on their site is that they use 100% Arabica Beans.