Who will you pick in Coffee War 2009?
By Jason Buckland, Sympatico / MSN Finance
Back in April, we wondered if a McDonald’s free coffee campaign could do anything to put a dent in the iPod-esque java market share held by Tim Hortons and Starbucks.
Based on reader comments, the response was an overwhelming ‘No,’ but maybe this thing isn’t over just yet.
According to numerous sources, the battle for coffee sales is still brewing across North America as McDonald’s continues its push and Starbucks retools its image.
Mainstreet.com even contends that no marketing tool has given McDonald’s the edge over its rivals better than the recession has.
With penny-pinching decidedly in style, Mickey D’s has been able to slice a chunk off Starbucks’ Gourmet Coffee Crowd by offering their new McCafe drinks for a fraction of the price.
Adding to the misery for Starbucks is the new McDonald’s ad campaign, which takes a swipe at the Seattle-based chain’s high prices. The dig is pretty reminiscent of the anti-Apple commercials (the ones where they give people cash if they can find a laptop for under $1,000) out now, don’t you think?
Starbucks, meanwhile, doesn’t appear to know which direction it’s headed. Razzed by big losses when the economy tanked, the coffee giant is re-doing some of its U.S. stores in a bid to shed the corporate image and make them more local.
Adage.com reports the first new location will open this week in Seattle with the moniker, “Fifteenth Avenue Coffee and Tea, Inspired by Starbucks.” Aside from its usual fare, customers will be able to find beer, wine and live entertainment at the refurbished spots.
However the move shapes up, you have to think all this competition will be good for coffee prices in the long-term. Mainstreet suggests a coffee war means only peace for consumers, and we tend to agree.
Does anyone who’s actually tried McDonald’s coffee/McCafes think it’s got a legitimate shot of scamming some of Starbucks’ market share, or is this just a fruitless ploy by the seeker of ultimate fast food monopoly?
Or is it just better to bring a can of whipped cream into Tim Hortons, pretend you’re sipping a latte and call it a day?
Posted by: Domenic | Jul 21, 2021 3:22:41 PM
I'm very picky with my coffee. I buy whole beans and ground them just before preparing my coffee. In summary, the best option is an Italian bar. If you are away from Little Italy the only options are Starbucks and Second Cup. Starbucks has great filtered coffee but their espresso sucks. Second Cup has great filter and their macchiado is okay. McD and Tim Hortons are tasteless. A filtered coffee at Starbuck or Second Cup sells for $2. A great espresso in Little Italy is also under $2. All you hear about in the media is that Starbucks is expensive. Not for a great filtered coffee!
Posted by: tom best | Jul 21, 2021 4:03:01 PM
i like dog shit sandwitches and starbucks is the best
Posted by: DA | Jul 21, 2021 4:03:05 PM
McDonalds does make a surprisingly good cup of coffee. I personally don't like Starbucks Coffee, it tastes burnt and is way over priced. Tim Horton's coffee is utility coffee, it tastes OK not too weak but not quite strong enough, however you can't beat Tim's for convenience. I'm not going to drive past 5 Tim Horton's just to get a coffee from McDonalds, and I'm not a Starbucks fan, so for me Tim's will win.
Posted by: phil in florida | Jul 21, 2021 4:39:18 PM
Wow, surprised at all the Mickey D is better than Timmies comments.. I'm a die-hard Timmies guy, have had it sent down to Florida by the huge can for over 9 years, so I never go without. But Mickey is on every streetcorner down here, so maybe I should give it a go. Starbucks? yuck. Bitter gut-rot.
And Charles, I take mine black, so there goes your theory!
Posted by: CHRIS | Jul 21, 2021 4:43:15 PM
I like McDon coffee, however there is always a long line up and their service is pretty slow. They show delegate a line just for coffee buyers.
Posted by: CHRIS | Jul 21, 2021 4:44:07 PM
I like McDon coffee, however there is always a long line up and their service is pretty slow. They should delegate a line just for coffee buyers.
Posted by: Don | Jul 21, 2021 4:51:17 PM
We were out West last week on vacation. Tim's had a line up out the door so we went down the street and we tried McDonalds for a coffee, we were very surprised. We really liked the coffe, we did not try anything else but it is as good or better than Tim Hortons and far less money!
Posted by: darrell hubbard | Jul 21, 2021 4:52:44 PM
Tim Hortons is by far the best coffee Starbucks is to strong Macdonolds is cheap labour coffee
Posted by: D G | Jul 21, 2021 5:11:12 PM
MOVE OVER TIMMY"S,,,I have to say I cant stand tims coffee, it doesn't taste like coffee at al to me. more like hot milk! then again people that drink it take it double double or even triple triple whats with that! I refuse to drink that crap!
I am glad to see McDonald's make the changes they are! I not only tried it when it was free but occasionally will grab a cup & way before I will take a very frusterating ride threw the drive threw for a lousy cup of so called java! at Time Horton's. Beside I cant stand how they have ruin the landscape and cause such congestions to our city streets.. besides that!
Got give Micky D's two thumbs up! The coffee is actually pretty good, at least it take like coffee, even with a drop of creamer & sweets! I would love them to give greedy Horton's and the overpriced Starbucks 's a run on...
I have never been a Starbucks fan to me it taste like burnt coffee! For me I will drive right past all 6 or 7 Horton's and two Starbucks to the only one coffee that I will drink, and it is found at SECOND CUP! I am a huge fan! I Just wish I didn't have to drive a little out of my way to get it! BUT I WLL
Good Luck to the golden arches
Posted by: Danita | Jul 21, 2021 7:25:06 PM
Starbucks, give me death instead, Good god people who on earth can drink that stuff(I say stuff cause it sure does not taste like anything I've ever tried, sort of like tar and manure) it is just AWFUL. Tim Horton's is the BEST and McD's has come a long way and it is very good. Starbuck, u suck sorry!!!
Posted by: Jossi | Jul 21, 2021 8:08:12 PM
MacDonalds coffee - is Okay, just don't care for anything else there.
Timmies - fine (I don't always like the atmosphere and some Tims are dirty they're not al = )
Starbucks - too strong and expensive.
Second Cup - tastes like tar.
One of the really nice establishments to me with nice atmosphere and nice lunch to go with it is Coffee Culture. I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet. There's one in Whitby, and is always very busy.
Posted by: cindy | Jul 21, 2021 8:29:38 PM
Who cares?
Sympatico's homepage sucks. All the headlines are left wing garbage. Meanwhile, the "blog" question is about McDonald's coffee?
Hey Sympatico, you suck.
Posted by: Jack | Jul 21, 2021 8:31:18 PM
Had occasion to try both today; first McD's, and much prefer McD's!!!!
Posted by: cindy | Jul 21, 2021 8:45:25 PM
Coffee. Does Michelle Obama smell good?
What drivel.
McGuinty is responsible for over a hundred hospital deaths in Ontario alone but sympatico has the nerve to put up a headline that the Federal government is responsible for some listeriosis deaths.
Gee, can you be a little more Commie?
Posted by: Earl | Jul 21, 2021 8:59:25 PM
For a good cup of coffee try A&W. I would say McDonalds is second to the A&W fresh ground.
Posted by: kirk | Jul 21, 2021 9:15:08 PM
Charles, it sounds like you go with the popular vote when it comes to coffee. As an avid drinker of black coffee, I can tell you that everyones tastes are different. For my money, the worst, by far, is starbucks. The best for me is Country Style traditional dark roast. Tim Hortons has the edge because no matter where you go, the coffee tastes exactly the same. (black)
Posted by: Jimmy | Jul 21, 2021 9:18:34 PM
Cindy..............stuff it. If it was such drivel, then quit reading and commenting on it!
Posted by: Ken | Jul 21, 2021 9:19:06 PM
Well, I guess I'm in the minority! I tried the new McDonald's coffee and it still tastes like it was drained from the crankcase of a 57 Plymouth. Strabuck's? Second Cup? Nice coffee, but way too expensive! Sorry! Despite all the Horton's haters posting here, I still prefer a good old Canadian Tim's to McDonald's any day!
Posted by: Tim | Jul 21, 2021 10:07:58 PM
They all suck - trust me.
Drip coffee is the worst coffee for you - There are more anti-oxidents in espresso brewed coffee it's actually rated as good as eating dark chocolate.
Seriously if you want a good coffee - Buy yourself an Espresso / Capacinno machine.
I've tried a few different brands and currently make my caps with Lavazza brands (Italian)
I have had the machine for almost a year and I swear I have not been back to Timmie's since.
The machine has more than paid for it's self.
Posted by: John | Jul 22, 2021 2:22:18 AM
Starbucks is really good, Tim Hortons I don't like, I haven/t tried McDonalds yet....but my all time favorite is Second Cup....now that is the best coffee by far!