Feature: The World vs. Starbucks

It doesn’t take a brain surgeon, or in our case, a Foodbeast, to realize the ongoing war between McDonald’s and Starbucks (which originally began as Dunkin’ Donuts vs Starbucks). Starbucks has already been facing some casualties, losing over 600 locations this past year…whether or not that was attributed to McDonald’s onslaught of hot and cold beverages is indeterminable. Regardless, the new propaganda being issued by McDonald’s is here, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Ushering in their new line of espresso drinks, the burger giant seems to be following through on their premise to make ordering coffee a much more simplistic, realistic and economically-safe endeavor. Other than the image shown above reading “four bucks is dumb“, other billboards have been noted as stating, “large is the new grande”, a direct reference to the sizing methods that Starbucks has been using for years.

Why doesn’t Starbucks fire back? McDonald’s just released another website, unsobbycoffee.com, shouldn’t Starbucks be taking a hint? Shouldn’t they point out that McDonald’s incubates their hamburgers or fight fire with fire by registering, “www.OhYouNoYouDidNotYouClown.com”? As of right now, it can be noted that Starbucks has not really involved itself in any campaigns of defending itself, or attacking a competitor. During a recent interview with CBS’ Katie Couric, Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz mentions that a lot of the points being brought up are frivolous. He rhetorically asks, “Are you going to say to your friend, ‘Let’s go meet at Dunkin’ Donuts?’ Are you going to say that?” Starbucks chooses the higher route in this war of advertising, but only time will tell the victor. Until then…what the fuck happened to Coffee Bean!? (Thx Scott Eklund/SeattlePi)