McDonald's goes after slice of gourmet coffee market

By Carly Harrington
Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Want a latte with that Big Mac?

Customers can now order one at most Knoxville-area McDonald's restaurants where mochas, lattes and cappuccinos are being served up alongside Happy Meals.

The McCafe, a concept that was first introduced by the fast-food chain in Australia in 1993, has finally reached East Tennessee, where local franchisees are attempting to grab a share of the gourmet coffee market with the Golden Arches brand of espresso-based drinks.

"We're becoming baristas," said Tom Cochran, whose family owns 29 McDonald's restaurants in the area. "It's been a learning process."

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