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McDonald’s McCafé introduces first seasonal beverage in 5 yearsMcDonald’s McCafé introduces first seasonal beverage in 5 years

McCafé Cinnamon Cookie Latte and Donut Sticks arrive Nov. 6 for a limited time

Nancy Luna, Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

October 3, 2019

2 Min Read
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When it comes to holiday beverages, the McDonald’s McCafé coffee program has been going through a dry spell.

It’s been more than five years since the McCafé menu has launched a new seasonal beverage. That ends Nov. 6 with the debut of McCafé Cinnamon Cookie Latte, freshly brewed 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified espresso mixed with cinnamon and stirred milk. It is topped off with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

The new limited-time coffee flavor, available as a hot or iced latte beverage, will be served in new winter-themed McCafé holiday cups. The last seasonal beverage featured on the McCafe menu was a White Chocolate Mocha in 2013.

McDonald’s restaurants are also bringing back McCafé Donut Sticks, which will be paired with a new chocolate sauce for dipping when they return in November.

The McCafé Cinnamon Cookie Latte will be available for $2 for a small size on the $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu. When the Donut Sticks debuted earlier this year (without the chocolate dipping sauce), the average price of the sticks were $1.69 for six or $3.29 for 12. The new LTO prices, on average, will be a $1.99 for a half dozen with one packet of chocolate sauce, and $3.89 for one dozen with two packets of chocolate sauce.

The new seasonal items come as the world’s largest burger chain has made attempts to upgrade its McCafe program amid fierce competition from Dunkin’ and Starbucks.

Related:McDonald’s revamps 10-year-old McCafé packaging, logo

Two years ago, the chain added cappuccino, Americano and iced caramel macchiato drinks to the menu. Restaurants were also outfitted with higher quality espresso machines. Before that upgrade, the McCafé menu had been largely unchanged since debuting in 2009. 

“After introducing a refreshed McCafé identity focused on brewing good, this delicious cinnamon lineup is the latest way the brand is helping customers embrace cheerful, feel-good moments,” the company said in a statement.

Last year, McCafe added two limited-time cold-brew frozen drinks.

In August, McDonald’s introduced a redesigned logo and new packaging for McCafe, which debuted 10 years ago.

McDonald’s has dominated its quick-service rivals at breakfast since the 1971 debut of the Egg McMuffin.  But late last year, the chain said it was losing share at breakfast.

Soon after, the company began adding new breakfast items, including the Triple Breakfast Stacks and McCafé Donut Sticks.

McDonald's has about 14,000 restaurants in the U.S.

Contact Nancy Luna at [email protected] 

Follow her on Twitter: @fastfoodmaven

About the Author

Nancy Luna

Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

Nancy Luna is a senior editor at Nation's Restaurant News and a contributing editor at Supermarket News. She covers the industry's largest and most talked about fast-food brands including McDonald's, Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Subway. She is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years reporting experience. As a veteran business reporter based in Southern California, Nancy has covered some of the country's most beloved food and retail brands including In-N-Out, Taco Bell, Trader Joe's, Aldi, Whole Foods Market, Target and Costco. Luna is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton. When she's not digging for news on her beat, you can find Nancy regaling her fans about her latest dining adventures on her Fast Food Maven social media channels. Contact [email protected]  or follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/fastfoodmaven

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