ADVERTISEMENT
The Rise of McCafé: Coffee at a Global Scale
McCafé was launched to compete directly with premium coffee chains, and in many countries, it succeeded. McDonald’s now serves millions of cups of coffee daily across tens of thousands of locations worldwide.
This scale introduces a unique challenge:
How do you maintain consistent quality and hygiene across so many stores, employees, and machines?
Unlike small cafés where a single barista cleans the machine daily, McDonald’s relies on standardized procedures, automated systems, and strict operational guidelines.
At least in theory.
Understanding McCafé Coffee Machines
Before talking about cleanliness, it’s important to understand what kind of machines McDonald’s uses.
Most McCafé locations rely on fully automated commercial espresso machines. These machines:
- Grind coffee beans automatically
- Brew espresso at programmed temperatures
- Steam milk internally
- Run automated rinse and cleaning cycles
These machines are designed for speed, consistency, and minimal human error. In many cases, employees simply press buttons rather than manually pulling shots or steaming milk.
This automation is both a strength and a weakness.
ADVERTISEMENT
