OT: Mickey D's gunning for Starbucks...

[William]

NEW YORK (CNN) -- McDonald's new ad campaign is taking a non-too-subtle jab at Starbucks.
Residents in Seattle, Washington, the birthplace of Starbucks, can now see approximately 140 McDonald's billboards emblazoned with "large is the new grande" or "four bucks is dumb."
In a statement released Thursday, McDonald's called it "a light-hearted, fun approach to our brand," aimed at promoting the company's McCafe coffee products. However, Starbucks is not finding the ad campaign funny.
"Comparative campaigns are all well and good but only when they're credible and authentic. If the claim is not supportable or the tone is off, you risk losing credibility," Deb Trevino, director of global communications for Starbucks, told CNN.
A 12-ounce cup of coffee at Starbucks in Seattle costs just $1.40, only a penny more than the average price for a same size cup at McDonald's.
Credibility is something that Starbucks claims it is not short on. A portion of coffee sales currently goes towards health care for Starbucks' baristas, while another goes towards helping AIDS victims in Africa, according to the company.
"We will not enter into a tit-for-tat," Trevino said. "Our customers are interested in more than just the coffee, they come for the experience."


http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/12/coffee.costs/index.html





Kind of like Miller going after Bud no?

William

[johnnymossville]

Starbucks is and always was lame.

[Birddog]

I know there are a lot of Starbucks bashers out there, but I'd much rather have Starbucks coffee than McD's. If I'm feeling like an afternoon cappucino, I'm not going to McD's. We don't have a whole lot of choices here in the S. Great Plains, but I for one kinda like our local Starbucks. Starbucks = a little jazz, smell of coffee, friendly banter, decent displays, coffee geek accessories. McDonalds = hamburger and nugget factory, smell of fried food, noisy kids, messy store, pictures of a clown. Take your choice.

Birddog

[Steelhead]

Whats the difference, Starbucks is the McDonalds of coffee.

[bostondrunk]

Whats the difference, Starbucks is the McDonalds of coffee.

I love Mcd's burgers, and love sbux coffee. Is that so wrong??! :)

[csm]

at least the donald will put the cream in for you. starbucks always fills it to the top with no room for cream.

[girlie]

I know Starbucks has good benefits for it's employees...what are MacD's benefits like?

I think the advert is funny.....and doesn't actually say Starbucks which is kinda the point they don't have too.

girlie

[93legendti]

McDonald's coffee tastes worse than terrible. You're only supposed to start a fight you think you can win...Max Basner's son wouldn't have approved that campaign.

[texbike]

Both of the McDonald's radio commercials that I have heard have been pretty funny.

However, I don't think that Starbucks has to worry about losing much business to McDs. They're serving different markets. It's very unlikely that most Starbucks customers would be seen in a Mickey Ds.

Kind of like a Serotta owner deciding to buy a Scattante at Performance (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Texbike

[Kirk Pacenti]

.

[Blue Jays]

Which coffee yields the best cycling performance?

[Steelhead]

I love Mcd's burgers, and love sbux coffee. Is that so wrong??! :)

Nothing wrong with that, I have been known to get an Egg McMuffin on occasion, and a Starbucks grande drip if left with no other locally owned/independent options... I'm just saying they are similiar in their mass produced, uniform approach. Not a big fan of large corporate outfits that drive wholesale pricing in their favor (like McD's with the beef industry, Starbucks with green coffee, Wal Mart with everything, etc..) and hurt the small local guy.

[bzbvh5]

at least the donald will put the cream in for you. starbucks always fills it to the top with no room for cream.

The Starbucks I go to asks if I would like room for cream. I say no and they do fill it to the top.

Also, This is a shop we stop at in the middle of our group Sunday ride. They also provide pitchers of water for free which is great in the summer time. There is a donut shop next to that same Starbucks where the coffee and treats are cheaper. The donut shop doesn't provide chairs, tables, and pitchers of water. Some people go to the donut shop then come back to sit with the rest of us to save a buck. I would like to save a buck as well but use Starbucks product because they are providing more than just coffee. I'm not endorsing Starbucks, I am endorsing spending your money a the place that provides the services you use.

[fiamme red]

Which coffee yields the best cycling performance?http://www.53x11coffee.com/

[fourflys]

.

MMMM, Dunkin Doughnuts Coffee......

There is really only one thing I miss from the East Coast and that's DD! I know you can get their coffee in the grocery now, but that's kind of like getting frozen White Castles....they're ok, but just leave you wanting the real thing more!

[fourflys]

From the OP's post:
"A portion of coffee sales currently goes towards health care for Starbucks' baristas"

Then someone said "I know Starbucks has good benefits for it's employees...what are MacD's benefits like?"

Now, maybe I'm slow but if S-Bucks has such good benefits for their employees, what's up with the first statement?

I have a little story about good old Starbucks....

When I was stationed in Astoria Oregon a couple of years ago there was a Starbucks in the Fred Meyer store and, of course, a few small independent coffee shops in town. Well, one shop was owned by a lady named Samantha Buck and she named her shop SamBucks (not sure when the name came about). Now, I'm pretty sure she posed no threat to the mighty Starbucks but they sued her anyway on grounds (no pun intended) that she might sully their good name and people might confuse her shop with thiers....PLEASE! I lost all respect for Starbucks at that moment.... I still go there becuase there isn't much other choice, although I may have to try the Clown's place now...

[rwsaunders]

You can get fries with your Mickie D's coffee....try that at Starbucks. :cool:

[girlie]

You can get fries with your Mickie D's coffee....try that at Starbucks. :cool:

Actually you can't.....at least not until 11am.
I can't believe I know that.

girlie

[johnnymossville]

McD's Fries taste really good. I haven't had them in awhile, but it might be time soon.

[chuckred]

Big Mac and Fries
Starbucks triple shot skinny latte with Cinnamon Crumb cake.

Undrinkable: McDonalds coffee. I'd rather pay $4 for a decent latte than a buck for horrible coffee...

[Kirk007]

I find the McD radio spots, at least that are playing in Oregon, highly offensive. I neither like/dislike McD or Starbucks but the adds play on the "elite intellectuals drink lattes at pretentious coffee bars vs. real meat loving, football watching, beer swilling Americans drink lattes at McDs.

Its the same BS from the campaign; its insulting, divisive and just what the country doesn't need. Ok you say, lighten up, its just a McD add. Fair point, but I gotta say, the adds trigger a visceral reaction and I will never go to McDs again unless its the last food on earth. And besides, here in Oregon, the stereotypic "real Americans", like loggers in small rural towns, and construction workers everywhere drink lattes, they haven't been waiting for McDs to figure it out.

[Viper]

It's a buyer's market; I support price wars. Starbucks was overpriced before the recession and they're forced to close hundreds of coffee stores as they overexpanded. It's Mr. Mom, 1983 recession time...Schooner Tuna the tuna with a heart. America, where pronography is free and coffee is five bucks.

[Ozz]

I find the McD radio spots, at least that are playing in Oregon, highly offensive.....
+1 nice post

They serve different markets and jabs are unnecessary....frankly, if it wasn't for Starbucks, McD wouldn't even be in the espresso arena.

In my experience, people get coffee where it is most convenient....for me, there are three Starbucks stores in my building so that is where I go....to the one with the shortest line. And there is always a line....

It costs $1.70 for a tall drip, no room. I get a refill in the afternoon for $0.55....prices include sales tax. Hardly extravagant....

BTW - Starbucks "fries" are called Top Pot Doughnuts......whoa baby.

:beer:

[Viper]

A tall coffee should be one buck (taxes included) and a grande should be $1.50 atmo. A grande coffee here, in NY is $2.01 and it's too much, even if a cool, granola chick hands it to me. I don't buy coffee anymore, I've become a barista wizard with this thing and if you want coffee, you can have a huge mug for a $1.50.

Coffee, lame Tom Cruise movies and Senate seats in Illinois, they're overpriced atmo.

:beer:

[johnnymossville]

I find McD's coffee to taste a little better than Starbucks, though I haven't had Starbucks coffee in a few years. Consumer Reports at least agrees with me.

It's coffee though, people have different tastes in coffee.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/beverages/coffee-tea/coffee-taste-test-3-07/overview/0307_coffee_ov_1.htm

[Der_Kruscher]

I don't know that they are actually serving different markets...or at least not completely. Sure there are folks who will be going into the Starbucks for the "ambiance" but a lot of people just want a cup of coffee or a latte to-go and they want it to be convenient. If McDonald's can convince people that they can give you a decent cup of coffee, they win the convenience war easily over Starbucks in a lot of places - particularly where most people commute by car. McDonald's are omnipresent and they have drive-throughs.

[Ozz]

A tall coffee should be one buck (taxes included) and a grande should be $1.50 atmo. ...
Where do you live...1990??

:beer:

[csm]

"frankly, if it wasn't for Starbucks, McD wouldn't even be in the espresso arena."

I agree with this and also remember that if not for Starbucks, a lot of "mom and pop" coffee houses wouldn't exist either. in most of America it was Starbucks or the idea of Starbucks that led to the coffee revolution.
I try to find an alternative to Starbucks when I travel but somedays.... ya just gotta have an egg mcmuffin.

[fourflys]

I agree with this and also remember that if not for Starbucks, a lot of "mom and pop" coffee houses wouldn't exist either. in most of America it was Starbucks or the idea of Starbucks that led to the coffee revolution.


And they're trying to run those Mom and Pop's out of business in some cases as I mentioned above...

[fiamme red]

And they're trying to run those Mom and Pop's out of business in some cases as I mentioned above...http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/005995.html :beer:

[csm]

yes they are trying to. just saying that the mom and pop's might not exist if not for starbucks.

[girlie]

"frankly, if it wasn't for Starbucks, McD wouldn't even be in the espresso arena."

I agree with this and also remember that if not for Starbucks, a lot of "mom and pop" coffee houses wouldn't exist either. in most of America it was Starbucks or the idea of Starbucks that led to the coffee revolution.
I try to find an alternative to Starbucks when I travel but somedays.... ya just gotta have an egg mcmuffin.


In Vermont McD's go out of business and Starbucks can't compete with the mom pop coffee houses. Burlington has one of the only Starbucks in Vermont....and we joke that the only people who go there are from out of town.
Interesting about the mom pop existing because of Starbucks. I'm not old enough to know if that is so in Vermont but makes sense.

girlie

[girlie]

Okay now there are a few more in Vermont.
http://www.starbuckseverywhere.net/Vermont.htm'

girlie

[Mikej]

was the CEO's comment that his company spends more on health care than on coffee. Not many big box / fast food style companies take care of thier people, they let me and you take care of them w/ our taxes while they cash in. I'm not an SB hater, but I do like the little guy. Also, SB's is open an hour and a half before any other coffee guy in my 'hood, so they get some flow from me. They also are not afraid of flowin' back.

[johnnymossville]

was the CEO's comment that his company spends more on health care than on coffee...

That is admirable, I agree. But is it sustainable? The Big 3 does the same thing. Spends more on health care then they do on Steel.

Buying overpriced coffee during good times in nice, but during lean times it'll get you in trouble.

[rwsaunders]

Actually you can't.....at least not until 11am.
I can't believe I know that.

girlie

Girlie....They just deliver the fries in a different format before 11....the light brown brillo pads that they call hash browns.

[jimp1234]

Anyone ever try MickeyD's espresso?? How does it taste compared to Str$ks? How about compared to some really good espresso like Peet's?

[Erik.Lazdins]

I had a thermos of Peet's brewed at home this morning at work. Unfortunately a very heavy schedule prevented me from having it all.

This won't happen tomorrow - Saturday!


McD's coffee used to be terrible now they have improved it. Whenever I land at DFW - I have some and pass the SBUX which always has a BIG line - McD Does not.

[Ozz]

...McD's coffee used to be terrible now they have improved it. ...
...and they would not have if not for Starbucks....consumer wins wherever they go!

:beer:

[csm]

perhaps congress needs to use the coffee shop/fast food competition model as a format for the restructuring of the big 3.
sorta a Tucker Motors kinda thing.....

[goonster]

Anyone ever try MickeyD's espresso??

The lattes are OK.

I'm not a fan of full-automatic machines, but that's what they put in any new Starbucks, and a $2.xx McD's latte is almost on par with a $3.xx Starbucks latte, i.e. both are a bit weak.

[girlie]

Girlie....They just deliver the fries in a different format before 11....the light brown brillo pads that they call hash browns.

No that's their delivery system for lard not fries silly.
The fries deliver salt....and apparently salt is only available at 11am and no earlier. It's the hard liquor of fast food, ya know.

girlie

[conorb]

I don't really drink coffee or espresso for that manner, but the commercials that have been running out here in the PNW are quite funny.

I've told more than one friend about them.

:) :) :)

The one where the guy grew a soul tip to "fit in" at the coffee shop is particularly nice.

conorb

[bironi]

I used to stop into McDonald' s on my way to work in high school. I could get in and out cheap in about a minute. Those days of fast food service are way gone.

I stopped going to Starbucks when the employees were trained to query each customer with a canned series of stupid questions, and I couldn't order a medium size coffee without a debate.

Large corporations kill quality and service. Just look at the crap coming from offshore. Sure you can return it to your retailer, but you get the same thing with the same defects as a replacement.

[Viper]

I make my own coffee atmo. Starbucks' prices are a bit much, though I treat myself once in a while. I was buying one every day, sometimes two. Spending $750.00 a year at Starbucks just isn't cool anymore. Their wifi, last time I went there it was T-Mobile scam and when they dropped Catherine Zeta-Jones*, I had no interest whatsoever. McDonalds? I am guilty of snacking on their fries once, maybe twice a month and it was pointed out to me from a *cough* very astute McDonaldian-eater, even they became cheapskates as they no longer give ketchup in the bag with their fries.

I'm not against Big Coffee, I'm not against admitting that McDonald's fries are a slice of heaven, I simply believe the smartest thing a consumer can do is cut out the producer; make your own coffee with the Keurig Platinum. The more I can avoid food from a source like Taco Bellbacterium, or McDonald's, it's a smart move. I will say there is a Burger King in San Francisco, within the Presido. It has the most amazing view of SF and the GG Bridge and is there anything better than Burger Onion Rings with a Strawberry shake? I drool at the thought.

* = She put lotsa milk in her coffee atmo:

http://www.makemeheal.com/news/images/catherine-zeta-jones-breast-implants.jpg

:beer:

[csm]

I've never seen the attraction to Catherine Zeta-Jones. just sayin....

[Viper]

I've never seen the attraction to Catherine Zeta-Jones. just sayin....

She's from Wales and she had some awesome plastic surgery and she might be in the big screen version of Dr Who:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/09/10/talk-of-doctor-who-film-role-for-catherine-zeta-jones-91466-21716327/

:beer:

[MerckxMad]

In the words of Ralph Wiggims from the Simpsons, Starbucks coffee "tastes like hurting." It's always burnt and watery. IMHO, if you can't brew your own Gevalia or Illy Cafe out of a Saeco, Mickey D's is pretty good stuff.

[Lifelover]

Starbucks taste OK but it smells like cat piss. Mcd's is pretty good, but I'm not picky.

$.99 (+tax) for a 24 OZ refill at 7-11 is how I roll.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2939514400_1d1af264d8.jpg?v=0

[Steve-O]

Been a while since I had McD or Starbucks coffee. Once you go home roast you won't go back.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/

All the co-workers are getting a 1/4 lb Christmas sampler of my Ethiopian/Guatemalan blend roasted this weekend.

[cshaobuip232667]

yangguo520 (http://yangguo520.blogsome.com)
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[William]

http://www.oncoffeemakers.com/images/cappuccino-7-11.jpg

http://iacmusic.com/Uploads/5852_11_7_2007_12_33_40_PM_-_Coffee.jpg

http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates_impact/2008/05/large_wawacoffee.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o214/matthewbonham/myspace/CoffeeMug-FarSideNervousDogs.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/1186183359_8d3e5c1941.jpg

http://x78.xanga.com/f7ec604616132189287223/z145572707.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2438124517_e7e04ef78d.jpg

http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/articles/a73_latte5.jpg

[yodelinpol]

In the words of Ralph Wiggims from the Simpsons, Starbucks coffee "tastes like hurting." It's always burnt and watery. IMHO, if you can't brew your own Gevalia or Illy Cafe out of a Saeco, Mickey D's is pretty good stuff.

Thanks. Oddly enough I'm tired while reading this and kinda grumpy too. Lack of sleep. I needed that Ralph quote for a good laugh... he's had some good ones...

http://www.thesimpsonsquotes.com/characters/ralph-wiggum-quotes.html

[BumbleBeeDave]

yangguo520 (http://yangguo520.blogsome.com)
zhangwuji (http://zhangwuji.blogsome.com)
zilong471 (http://zilong471.blogsome.com)
kaxiu600 (http://kaxiu600.blogsome.com)
benchi600 (http://benchi600.blogsome.com/)

. . . and then nuke his spammin' @ss! :no: :butt:

Pete? . . .

BBD

[csm]

he seems to at least be working at spamming... he had a smiley face in there and everything.

[fiamme red]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124139141624581429.html

[97CSI]

No Wawa fans here? Best coffee east of the Delaware River. And west for a ways (50 miles, or so), as well. Sort of like a clean and classy 7-11 for those who don't have access to a Wawa. Only better.

[johnnymossville]

No Wawa fans here? Best coffee east of the Delaware River. And west for a ways (50 miles, or so), as well. Sort of like a clean and classy 7-11 for those who don't have access to a Wawa. Only better.

I agree wawa's is pretty darn good. I like their soft pretzels and a coffee sometimes. Way cleaner than 7-11 too.

[johnnymossville]

funny this thread came back to life. I just heard today McD's denied that the $4 is dumb was their idea. It was a local Seattle owned McD's idea I guess.

I do like McD's coffee better than Starbucks anyway.

[bozman]

No Wawa fans here? Best coffee east of the Delaware River. And west for a ways (50 miles, or so), as well. Sort of like a clean and classy 7-11 for those who don't have access to a Wawa. Only better.

I get Wawa coffee whenever I visit my parents on the Jersey shore (LBI.) Their sweetened iced tea and hoagies are great, too. I wonder if I could open one in Denver?

[johnnymossville]

I get Wawa coffee whenever I visit my parents on the Jersey shore (LBI.) Their sweetened iced tea and hoagies are great, too. I wonder if I could open one in Denver?


I'm Curious, What do you have similar to Wawa's in Denver? I'm sure 7-11, but any others?

[sg8357]

Starbucks always has the New York Times for sale and they're handy for changing into riding clothes on the way to after work rides.

McDs is a reliable public restroom when cycling in western Europe.

Trader Joes sells better beans than either, if you want to make real coffee
w/o the flavorings.

Scott G.

[97CSI]

I get Wawa coffee whenever I visit my parents on the Jersey shore (LBI.) Their sweetened iced tea and hoagies are great, too. I wonder if I could open one in Denver?Wawa started as a dairy and has grown into the stores they run today (with gas at the 'Super' Wawa genre). As they still do their own dairy products, I'm guessing you would have a stocking problem in CO. And, all are company owned, just like Starbucks. Think that is where 7-11 went wrong. Started selling off stores as franchises.

[fiamme red]

Wawa started as a dairy and has grown into the stores they run today (with gas at the 'Super' Wawa genre).How Wawa became a success (http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20090416_How_Wawa_became_a_success.html)

[bozman]

I'm Curious, What do you have similar to Wawa's in Denver? I'm sure 7-11, but any others?

We have a bunch of Jenny's Markets tied to Conoco stations. Neither they nor 7-11 come close to Wawa.

[rwsaunders]

Try asking for personalized donuts at Mickie D's. Touche, Dunkin'....

[William]

I stopped at SB today to get an Iced lattae before doing a few private sessions. Noticed they had the Talking Heads "Same As it Ever Was" Opus Collection. Not a bad score for twelve bucks. Yeah, I know the coffee isn't the best, but I'll take it over D&D any day.





William