McDonald's Discontinues Coffee in Hong Kong, Customers Outraged Over the Move

McDonald’s outlets in Hong Kong have stopped serving hot and cold coffee beverages. Starting this week, the stores will no longer sell ground coffee and the premium roast range.

McDonald’s Hong Kong announced on Monday, Sept. 4, that it will halt the serving of coffee drinks, and its 250 branches across the country are participating in the temporary suspension of the world’s favorite brew. The fast-food chain explained it will offer upgraded coffee offerings instead starting Sept. 5

“McDonald’s coffee will officially say goodbye from 6 p.m. (of Sept. 4). Thank you everyone for your support over the years,” the restaurant’s Hong Kong unit wrote on its social media page.

From Tuesday this week, all coffees in set meals will be upgraded to a small cup of McCafé Americano, and this offer is free of charge. As per Time Out, customers who love coffee may opt for a small McCafé white coffee with their meal, and they only need to add HK$2. Customers who prefer latte in their meal sets may request it, but this will entail a higher additional cost of HK$5.

The HK Hub reported that McDonald’s Hong Kong’s announcement of the discontinuation of ground and premium roast coffees in stores caused a stir online. Many people were upset, so the company posted a follow-up note telling customers this is only temporary. The company explained it needs to stop serving coffee for a while to upgrade its coffee-making equipment and to train staff further.

Meanwhile, to pacify furious customers even more, McDonald’s Hong Kong also offered à la carte orders for small McCafé lattes for only HK$10. This means it is giving more than a 50% discount as the original price is HK$23. Then again, this offer will only run for three days - until Sept. 8 and will be available during breakfast hours only.

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