Espresso Machines Temporarily Out of Order
Some McDonald’s locations in the U.S. have temporarily halted the sale of espresso-based drinks like iced lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. This pause is due to a safety issue with the espresso machines used for McCafé beverages. The machines, manufactured by Melitta and valued at $3,000, have been decommissioned after the company identified a problem that needs to be addressed.
Safety Concerns Lead to Equipment Shutdown
Melitta, the maker of the espresso machines, informed McDonald’s of a potential safety issue, though the details of the problem have not been revealed. The company has recommended that affected locations stop using the machines while they investigate and determine the root cause of the issue. A remediation plan will be developed once the investigation is complete.
Unchanged Menu Items
Despite the suspension of espresso-based drinks, McDonald’s customers can still enjoy regular brewed coffee, both hot and iced, as these beverages are unaffected by the equipment issue. McDonald’s is continuing to evaluate the extent of the problem, and it appears that many locations across the U.S. are impacted, including cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Pittsburgh, New York, and Tampa.
Importance of Coffee to McDonald’s Business
Coffee remains a key part of McDonald’s operations, with the chain selling nearly 8 million cups of coffee daily. Recently, McDonald’s even launched a new concept restaurant, CosMc’s, focusing on specialty coffee beverages. CEO Chris Kempczinski has emphasized that McDonald’s is targeting the fast-growing specialty coffee market as part of its broader strategy.
Timing of the Issue
The espresso machine issue comes at a challenging time for McDonald’s, as the company is still recovering from an E. coli outbreak that affected customer traffic and sales. In response, McDonald’s has committed to spending $100 million on marketing and supporting its franchises most impacted by the recent challenges.
