McDonald’s criticized for discontinuing some coffee drinks

On Monday, the Macau branch of the American multinational fast food chain, McDonald’s, announced it would discontinue ground coffee and premium roast coffee from its drink menu items from Tuesday.

Announced by the chain on their Facebook page, the news caused an immediate outcry from netizens. They expressed confusion regarding the removal of the two popular drink items and voiced concerns about potential price increases for other menu items.

Following a similar move by the Hong Kong chain, local McDonald’s representatives stated via social media that the two coffee drinks would officially be retired from the market. It was stated the decision was permanent.

Meanwhile, the fast-food giant explained the measure was part of broader efforts to evolve offerings available to consumers, remarking that other coffee drink options such as Americanos and Lattes would remain available, and that the prices of existing products would remain unchanged.

In an explanation also provided to Hong Kong media, McDonald’s stated its goal was part of efforts to reserve coffee beans for drinks featured at McCafés, which are freshly brewed to order, instead of those usually offered as pre-made coffee pot style drinks.

As reported by news agency Reuters earlier, since June this year, McDonald’s had already announced plans to increase prices for most menu items in several locations – including Japan – to cope with rising labor and rental costs. The new pricing system began to take effect from mid-July this year.