Why McDonald’s and KFC Are Pushing Freshly Ground Coffee

Ever wondered why nearly every time you walk into McDonald’s or KFC these days, there’s suddenly a push to sell you a cup of fresh coffee? It’s not just about caffeine—it’s a smart play to get you to spend more while you’re already there.

In short: both chains introduced higher-priced fresh coffee to raise average customer spending (ARPU) and draw in more foot traffic. McDonald’s started in 2010 with McCafé, while KFC followed around 2014–2015 with upgraded in-store brews.

The Origins of Fast-Food Coffee Promotions

Fast-food chains thrive on volume and location—but simply selling more burgers isn’t enough. When you’re already in a high-footfall area, the next move is obvious: get customers to buy drinks too. Enter freshly ground coffee, a higher-margin item that lifts per-person spending and encourages repeat visits.

McCafé vs KFC Coffee: Branding & Setup

McCafé, McDonald’s dedicated coffee brand, has been around since 1993 (launching first in Melbourne, Australia). In China, McDonald’s began expanding McCafé aggressively in 2010. These are “store-within-a-store” setups inside McDonald’s restaurants, featuring separate counters, trained baristas, professional-grade espresso machines, and often lounge seating with sofas. By contrast, KFC sells its fresh coffee at the regular counter with no dedicated coffee station or seating area.

Pricing Comparison: Fast-Food Coffee vs the Competition

KFC offers around six coffee options. Its most affordable is a $10 USD regular Americano, while the priciest—a mocha—goes for $19 USD. These prices are significantly lower than the $30 USD average at Starbucks or Costa Coffee, and also undercut McDonald’s McCafé pricing. At McCafé, a small cappuccino starts at $12 USD, most medium drinks range from $13–$19 USD, and large sizes are over $20 USD.

Coffee Sales Trends & Impact Over Time

Data shows coffee purchase rates at McDonald’s and KFC spiking in sync with major promotions. After McCafé launched in 2010, the proportion of customers buying coffee rose sharply—before declining steadily over the next two years. Then, around 2014–2015, when KFC began actively promoting free or bundled fresh coffee in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, its coffee sales also jumped—eventually matching McDonald’s coffee purchase rates.

Does Coffee Drive Higher Spending?

To measure impact, analysts use this formula: (coffee customer spend ÷ average customer spend – 1) × 100%. Generally, coffee drinkers spend less than the average customer.

At McDonald’s, coffee initially attracted more customers but didn’t boost individual spending much. However, after 2014, McCafé customers began spending slightly more than average—and that premium has been slowly increasing. It seems McDonald’s patrons may now see coffee as a natural pairing with their meals.

At KFC, before its 2014–2015 coffee push, coffee buyers spent much less than other customers—more so than at McDonald’s. But once coffee was heavily promoted (often bundled with meals), that spending gap widened further, likely due to promotional traffic rather than higher per-person value.

Quality, Environment, Coverage & Cross-Sales Potential

When stacked up against global brands:

• Quality & Ambience: Starbucks/Costa > McDonald’s > KFC. Though Starbucks can get overcrowded, McDonald’s combines fast food and coffee space effectively.
• Price: Starbucks/Costa > McDonald’s > KFC.
• Store Coverage: McDonald’s and KFC win hands down, with far more locations.
• Cross-Selling Opportunity: McDonald’s and KFC excel at bundling coffee with meals—a habit not yet fully formed in China. McDonald’s is showing early signs of success; KFC’s efforts only began recently, with outcomes still unclear.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did McDonald’s start really pushing coffee in China?

McDonald’s began expanding its coffee brand McCafé aggressively in China in 2010. McCafé had already launched internationally in 1993 in Melbourne, Australia.

What year did KFC start selling fresh coffee in China?

KFC started seriously upgrading and promoting its fresh coffee offerings in late 2014 and early 2015, around the same time it began offering coffee free with meals or asking customers if they wanted coffee in major cities.

Which is cheaper, McDonald’s or KFC coffee?

KFC coffee is cheaper. Its cheapest option is a $10 USD Americano, and the most expensive is a $19 USD mocha. McCafé’s smallest cappuccino starts at $12 USD, with most medium drinks between $13–$19 USD and large cups over $20 USD.

Do people actually spend more when coffee is offered?

At McDonald’s, coffee drinkers initially didn’t raise the average spend much, but after 2014, McCafé customers began spending slightly more than the average. At KFC, coffee buyers spent less than average both before and after the 2014–2015 push, though promotion-driven traffic affected the numbers.

Is the coffee quality at McDonald’s or KFC better?

Generally, Starbucks and Costa offer higher quality and ambiance, followed by McDonald’s, then KFC. However, McDonald’s often provides a more comfortable combined food and coffee space than crowded Starbucks locations.

Are McDonald’s and KFC locations better for buying coffee than Starbucks?

In terms of sheer number of outlets, McDonald’s and KFC vastly outnumber Starbucks and Costa, making their coffee more accessible in China. However, Starbucks and Costa are typically seen as offering a better coffee experience overall.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Pairings

Pair your fast-food coffee with a specialty single origin for a richer experience. Try FrontStreet’s 2013 Yunnan Typica, a lightly-processed coffee from Yunnan’s Baoshan region with juicy citrus and berry tones and a sweet finish, ideal for exploring Chinese-grown flavors. Or choose FrontStreet’s washed Yunnan Arabica from Baoshan’s Luxi area, featuring balanced caramel notes and gentle acidity. Both are great brewed alongside your mealtime brew. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.