Anyone else confused about the McDonald’s McCafe menu?
We have been regular coffee drinkers over the last few years. We started with Starbuck’s, then we got to a point where we realized buying two coffees there a few times a week wasn’t economical. About that time, McDonald’s was starting to promote its iced coffees. We tried the Iced Vanilla Coffees and really liked them. Plus, the $2 price was more affordable. We used to just make coffee at home and use flavored creamer, but for whatever reason, we got into drinking McDonald’s coffees several times a week.
When McDonald’s expanded their coffee offering with the McCafe, we were excited to be able to fill our coffee vice with affordable coffee drinks. Between the two of us, we spend around $20 per week on McDonald’s coffees. As part of the promotion of its new coffees, the company has offered punch cards and McCafe coupons to help generate loyal customers, as well as offering free Monday samples. Here is where the confusion begins…
We have seen two types of coupon/punch cards floating around our area. One is simply a punch card where four punches entitles you to a free drink. There is no indication of size or type of coffee on these cards and we have never had any issues with them. The other card is a three fold card that includes one coupon that reads “Free McCafe medium coffee*” and it has two sets of punch cards each with four punches and a fifth coffee for free.
The free coupon has a disclaimer clearly marked with an asterisk that says “Excludes hot brewed Premium Roast Coffee and Frappe”. The list of products on the coupon includes: Iced coffee, mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, and hot chocolate. Twice now, I have been told that I couldn’t redeem this coupon for an iced coffee because the coupon is to promote the “new McCafe drinks”. This is confusing on a couple levels. First, the iced coffee is indicated as an included item on the card. Second, the McCafe signs in McDonald’s clearly include the Iced Coffee Drinks on the cafe menu. I have also been told on a couple occasions (not a lot, but by a few employees at a couple different locations) that I can’t get the card punched when I purchase large iced coffees. This makes a little more sense because the premium McCafe drinks are a bit more expensive. But, if the concept is to build and retain loyal coffee drinkers, why make it so stressful for anyone to become one?
The basic point I am trying to make is that the whole marketing concept, while well intended, is confusing. While the overall concept of marketing their coffees to generate loyalty was a good one, the punch card/coupon programs are sometimes creating so much frustration at the store level that the company might lose people who will just start going to gas stations for $1 iced coffees. Or better yet, some will make their own at home on the cheap and avoid the hassle. My hope is that someone at the corporate/marketing level for the chain will address the store level implementation of the coupon/card program so that it can be used to generate customer loyalty and not to turn off people like us that have been loyal customers for a long time (By the way, when we visit 5-6 times a week, we don’t always by just coffee). In other words, McDonalds, can you please communicate to all stores (and customers) how to interpret these coupons and the McCafe menu? If the promos don’t include iced coffees, don’t list “Iced Coffees” on the coupon. If you are going to separate your coffee menu for promotions like this, please separate them clearly on the in-store menu as premium McCafe drinks and iced coffees listed separately.
Anyone else like McDonald’s coffee? Have any similar experiences?
Guest blog post written by Neil – a concerned citizen, customer of McDonald’s, and marketer
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Category: FOOD REVIEWS, Product Reviews
I have two different cards in my area too (same as you talked about). However, I have always been able to get punches for the iced coffees. That being said, I only use the punch cards at one local McDonald’s since the others in my area don’t seem to participate in the program. Also, sometimes when I use up a card they’ll give me another one and at other times, they don’t.
Janel´s last blog ..Jumblicious 7/17/09
Back when they first started the Iced coffees they were LARGER, now when I say a Regular size like I am used to saying, it comes out as a small size.
It would be nice if they kept the sizes the same.
As far as the coupons go, I have used the threefold coupons on the Iced coffees 6 times already without a problem. I only buy the iced coffees because they are the cheapest. I had tried an iced mocha once and I didn’t like it all.
You would think the McD’s employees would just rather punch the freaking coupon card and be done with it. Why do they have the time to fight over the small stuff.. especially when they are clearly in the wrong according to the coupon itself?
Every day I wake up there is a new reason to be disillusioned in the USA.
Marie Burton´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon~ Books and BBAW
Good comments Janel and Marie,
Janel – Regarding participation. One of the challenges with large corporations like McDonald’s is that they have a blend of corporate-owned stores and franchisees. Yet, I know the company’s goal is to have consistency in terms of what they present to customers. That being said, having worked in retail management, that’s easier said than done across so many stores. I do prefer the punch cards because there is no size or product distinction. One of the McD’s we use gives those, the others give the three-fold coupons.
Marie – I agree, I like Starbuck’s mocha fraps, but don’t like the McD’s mocha. Plus, I want a large coffee, and they don’t have that size on the mochas. I generally haven’t had trouble getting cards punched, but I know the 2-3 employees at the area stores that its better to not ask. To their benefit, I think they are trying to do what they believe their job is, but they are being a bit too technical about it. One of the toughest things to teach and get across to retail employees is how to balance the “policies” with a basic sense of customer service.
Appreciate the feedback… just wondered if I was the only having these experiences. Other than the coupon/menu hassles, I appreciate the McD’s coffee service.
-Neil
This does sound totally confusing. I don’t drink coffee from McDonalds. I’ve been wanting to try their coffee, but I only drink decaf and wasn’t sure if they had any of the specialty items available as decaf.
Alyce´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – July 19
In any well run McDonald’s there will be a manager within a few feet of the service counter or the drive-thru. While the employees are doing their best confusion like this should be referred to the manager in charge. He/She should be a few feet away.
I’ve never even heard of these coupons or punch cards, they must not be available in my area. I use to really like the iced coffee when it first came out, now that they made a whole “McCafe” line of drinks the taste has gotten worse, the sizes got smaller and the price got higher and I just can’t see paying $3 for a small iced coffee.
I’m not a big coffee drinker, but I did try some kind of flavored coffee at McDonalds and I was unimpressed. I probably will never buy coffee there again.
Now, have you tried the Moolatte from DQ? I’m addicted to the French Vanilla one. Soooooo good! And then there’s the Jamocha shake at Arby’s… ooooh, Arby’s, I love you so… *sniffle*
hamsterkitten ´s last blog ..Woodstock.com
Yes…..one of my teen girls and I are addicts of this product. We too spend a small fortune on buying them each week. Only….we didn’t know of any promo cards at all.
I’m going to ask at my McD’s.
I had a bad Starbucks experience on FREE PASTRY DAY yesterday! Oh yea…..I’m not going back in there ever again! That bad!
wanda´s last blog ..Yea, I’m ticked!
I have been buying the McCafe Iced mocha’s for a while now after getting a coupon and punch card from a coworker. I have had no problem at all with either redeeming the coupon or the punch cards. I just started buying them about a month ago and am hooked already. I did buy some on ebay and well of course the guy never did send me my coupons so I may have to figure out how to make my own. I do buy the starbucks frappuccino coffee drinks that you can get at the grocery store but I still like Mcdonalds mccafe iced mocha’s better. I just wish they were cheaper.
janel and marie where do u guys live? i cant find them anywheres, my boss gave me a bunch and i have used all mine up, i would love to get alot more, i get 1 to 2 iced mochas a day.mmmm mmm better then starbucks to me but would love to beable to get a bigger size.one size doesnt fit all.lol.i also have never had a problem with the punches atall.
FYI, for those interested I myself purchased mccafe coupons on ebay. I think I got 16 coupons and purchase price was a little under $8. So I end up paying .50 each. I also gave several away to friends and coworkers.
I was just passing through and saw this whilst googling for the coupons and punchcards out of curiousity. And I saw in your post mention of people possibly getting confused by the system and simply brewing their iced coffee at home.
I’m one of those people and I wanted to share what I did because it works out reallllly well. My coffee tastes better..is ultra cheap and easy to make. Now my husband is hooked on it. I actually went to Mickie D’s the other day and we got one of their iced coffees because I forgot to cold brew mine at home and we both drank it and looked at each other and said..ugh…ours tastes soo much better. That’s a huge thing because I am not one to normally make things that taste better at home than buying something at a restaurant. Anyways…the secret is cold brewing your coffee.
To do this I got two containers. Before you go to bed, grab 1 drink pitcher. I buy a pound of ground coffee from Starbucks (actual Starbucks store or from the grocery aisle). To this pitcher put in a 1 to 5 ratio of coffee grounds to water. I don’t even use brita water. I use faucet water. So because it’s a ratio..just grab a cup and scoop up a cup of fresh coffee grounds. Dump into the pitcher. Dump in 4 cups of water. Not measuring cup…just the cup you used to scoop the grounds. Remember..this is ratio based. You can stir it a little. I don’t even do that. Put it in the fridge overnight. When you get up in the morning, pour this slurry DIRECTLY into the filter side. NOT where you pour the water. You are basically borrowing the filtering capability of your hot brew machine to filter out the grounds of your COLD BREW coffee. When it’s nice and filtered, pour this back into a clean pitcher. This is now a perfect concentrate of cold brew coffee. I add as much water as there is concentrate and it’s ready to make iced coffee. You will find cold brew coffee makes intensely flavored and a smooth smoooooth brew. I pour this over the rocks and add a little half and half. It’s also the perfect base for iced coffee drinks. A lot of coffee houses cold brew their coffee for iced coffee. Starbucks does, but Mcdonalds does not. It’s also the hot new thing, cold brewing but don’t believe the lies that you need a cold brew system or need to make some home made system. Just use a pitcher and your hot brew machine. That’s it! I have saved soooo much money because before this bought a large iced coffee from Mcdonalds daily. Now that I make this at home…it is soooo much better and preferred over anything I can buy. There is no loss of taste..tastes very gourmet. Perfect cup and is sooo cheap. Anyways..hope you give it a try. I saw that comment in your post and just had to reply.
if you have any questions just contact me at pasht_lah AT Yahoo DOT com
I haven’t heard of these punch cards or coupons from McDonald’s here in Georgia. I just tried their nonfat iced vanilla latte and I must say I’m unimpressed. It doesn’t taste great at all. Being a fan of Starbucks and spending $4.19 (with tax) each time was starting to hit my wallet more then it has in the past so I was hoping getting a larger and cheaper drink would be ideal (a large at MD’s is $2.75 in my area) however the drink tastes cheap and gross. I was handed a normal (hot) latte by accident which was poured over ice afterward which may be the cause if they use a different method for their iced drinks but the actual drink tastes like it was burned, reused coffee from last week. I probably will give them another shot, I guess this is why Starbucks can charge what they charge – They don’t have this type of problem.
Just to clear the air, I wanted to inform those of you that do not work at mcdonalds that the “Premium Roast Iced Coffee’s” weren’t considered Mcafe coffees in the beginning. Only after a store was certified to have the Mcafe machine (which all were this past year after training and inspections) they were then added to the Mcafe menu. The clear cups changed (the logo anyway) and that’s what caused the confusion. At first we were told by our managers that they were not included and then later we were told that they were.
And as for employee’s refusing to punch your card for an iced coffee, they probably feared a write up. Employee’s are constantly doing a juggling act between what managers want and expect and what customers want and expect. There’s sometimes just a lack of communication that happens with certain employees. Training is constant and rules change regularly. Trust me, they would LOVE to punch your card. There is nothing we love more than to make you happy and send you on your way. Because if you’re happy you’ll likely give a good recommendation, stop by regularly, and increase our sales. Which, in turn, helps every other aspect of business.
This will be going on my 3rd year at McD’s. I’ve seen the Iced Coffee’s being launched (yes they were bigger back then) and I’ve now seen the Mcafe launch. What you first have to understand when ordering is that most stores (all that i know of anyway) do not have blended coffee’s. And while the iced coffee is made by double brewing the Premium Roast coffee, the mochas, lattes, and cappuccinos are made with the freshly ground espresso. Your iced coffee is cold and sweet with a milder coffee flavor, while the Iced Mochas and Lattes are going to be cold with a stronger coffee flavor. They won’t taste like your Mocha joe’s, Moolatte’s, or Frostychinos because they’re not blended with the soft serve ice cream. The espresso is very VERY strong in flavor. I suggest that if you’re not too keen on the taste and that you’d prefer it sweeter to ask them to add a sweetener or another shot or two of flavor.
Better yet, ask the employee’s how they make theirs. We fiddle around with this stuff and make our own variations. I personally take my coffee as a large iced coffee with 9 cream, 2 shots of the chocolate syrup, 3 shots of the caramel syrup, a shot of espresso and the rest filled with the iced coffee. I find splenda to be a better sweetener than sugar because it melts even in the cold coffee’s.
Oh, well. I could go on for DAYS about coffee… if it weren’t for our coffee’s I wouldn’t be able to work my shift at 5am.
McDonalds McCafe is a joke. It is the worse stuff I have ever tasted in the espresso market. You people posting here sound like a bunch of penny pinching whiners. Have any of you ever heard the term “you get what you pay for”. Anybody who knows anything about coffee and espresso drinks know how much it costs to produce a quality drink. If McDonalds is giving you something, it’s because they are cheating on the ingredients. If they are truly selling you a 12 oz mocha for 1.99, they are either losing money or they are giving you crap. Anybody who owns a business, especially a restaurant, know this for a fact. I think Micky Ds is doing both. If any of you are done trying to fool yourselves into thinking you’re getting a great deal, then take the taste test. Go to a real local espresso cafe and get a mocha, then go to a McCafe and take a side by side test. Yep! You get what you pay for.
Right now McDs is not trying to put Starbucks out of business, they are trying to put you small, local shops out of business. Why? Because they can’t sell their absolutely terrible, overpriced hamburgers anymore. That’s why. So what they are doing is a typical marketing strategy used by many large predatory corporations such as Starbucks, walmart and Blockbuster video. Undercut the prices and lose money for a year or two just to put the local business, their competition, out of business. Then when they are gone- jack up the prices, lower the quality and screw the customer once again.
You have to ask yourself, why are the coffee drinks so cheap? We all know everything else is overpriced. So why are they able to make these “premium” espresso drinks so cheap? Well, if they were really using premium, fresh espresso beans and real milk and premium ingredients, they could not possible sell it to you for $1.99 and make a profit. McDs has huge overhead costs to run their stores. A lot more than your mom and pop. Ask the store owner how much the royalty payments are to just own the franchise. If McDs really wanted to give you a good deal, then why are they charging you $1.89 for 20 cents worth of coca cola and ice? No, all they are trying to do is fool you and lure you away from your local shops that you used to be loyal to. And you don’t have to go to Starbucks either. For a while there, when things were good, you guys were all going to the high priced Starbucks and betrayed your local shops for the sake of “status”. You wanted to be seen holding your coveted Starbucks cups. Now you have done a complete 180 turn around and forsake status and everything else to save 50 cents and buy the lowest cup of crap out there, McDs! Also, look at your receipt- they charge you tax! That’s right, even though it is a non taxable item, at least in California, they still charge you a “take out tax” of around 9% because they say it’s too much work to itemize taxable and non-taxable items even though they have this elaborate computerized POS system. Usually, your local shops don’t charge you this tax. We don’t even know if McDs is passing it along to the state or just keeping it for themselves as a bonus. So you’re not even saving as much as you think. It’s just deceptive marketing. Come on people! Your local shops are suffering and they deserve better. They are not getting rich- they are working hard to provide you with a true authentic beverage at a fair price to make your day. And they usually know what they are doing and put far more care into the product than whatever clown, literally, McDs hires to throw together their production line
junk. If you really care about what goes into your mouth and you want the most bang for your buck, go to a local shop or small drive through business. You will get the best service, quality product and great overall experience on a consistent basis. If not, then some day soon you will no longer have any choices- And you may even find yourself working there because when you go to McDs, you are helping the demise of your local economy and hurting your own community. I know every once in a while when time is short and you are hungry, you have to have some fast food. But to go there on a regular basis and get your coffee is just plain short sighted and dumb and not good for your health.
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