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McD units hand out free McCafe drinks

AUBURN Maine McDonald's restaurants in Maine and eastern New Hampshire are offering free McCafe drinks as part of a promotion to "build awareness" of the new specialty coffee line at stores in those areas, according to a spokeswoman for a regional franchisee group.

On Friday, the participating McDonald's restaurants gave away free hot vanilla lattes. The promotion continues Jan. 31, with free hot chocolates, and concludes Feb. 7, with free hot cappuccinos. The free drinks are offered from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the designated days.

“Hopefully customers will find out they can enjoy higher-end cappuccinos and lattes at an affordable price,” said Kristel Wagner, a spokeswoman for the McDonald’s Owner-Operator Association of Maine.

The McCafe product line, which includes gourmet coffee drinks and hot chocolate, is being rolled out to 42 stores and is expected to be at all stores in Maine and New Hampshire by June. McDonald’s spokesman Ben Lincoln said the Oak Brook, Ill.-based chain plans to complete the beverage program rollout to all 6,500 of its domestic units by mid-2009.

As the coffee wars continue to heat up, chains such as Dunkin’ Donuts, which has a large presence in New England, and Starbucks have also promoted special giveaway programs in recent months. This week, Panera Bread Co. said its bakery-cafes would offer free cups of its new brewed coffee blends.

Contact Elissa Elan at [email protected].

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