Photo: Old Shoe Woman / Flickr

McDonald’s has overtaken Costa and Starbucks to become the biggest coffee seller in Britain. The junk food giant’s strategy during the recession was to appeal to middle class Brits, and outgrow the image McDonald’s had of being a dingy burger joint. McDonald’s started serving freshly-ground coffee – cappuccinos and lattes – in 2007 and has since won over millions of Brits.

84 million cups and counting

Over the last 12 months, McDonald’s has sold 84 million cups of coffee in Britain. According to research firm NPD, McDonald’s overtook Costa in becoming the biggest coffee seller in the second quarter of this year. Over the last two years, coffee sales at McDonald’s have increased by 39 per cent, making java the fastest-growing item on the menu.

A ‘decent cup of coffee’

Jeffrey Young, managing director of Allegra, leading analysts of the coffee market, told The Telegraph that: ‘McDonald’s have been astonishingly successful at selling coffee. They recognised that serving a decent cup of coffee was crucial to winning over customers at breakfast time and in the afternoon.’

He added: ‘It’s by no means the very best cup of coffee available on the high street, but it is a very decent cup and holds its own against the likes of Starbucks.’

Low prices for the people

Part of the reason for the success McDonald’s has had in the coffee market is simply down to its pricing. A cup of McDonald’s coffee is cheaper than a cup from Starbucks or Costa. A small McDonald’s cappuccino will set you back £1.39, compared to £2.10 at Starbucks.

Still, as Jeffrey Young has said, it’s not a particularly good cup of coffee, Rainforest Alliance sustainable coffee beans or not. If you’re looking for good coffee at a low price, nothing beats a freshly made brew from your own coffee machine.

Tags: coffee, coffee machine