Burger King Tries to be McDonald’s, Ends Up Being Low-Rent Starbucks Instead
Burger King is trying to class up its coffee by introducing a brand-new coffee menu that includes ten new drinks in a variety of flavors, plus a vanilla latte. This would be exciting if it wasn’t obvious that this is Burger King’s desperate (and kinda late) grab at the success its fast-food competitors have had in the coffee market. McDonald’s has had McCafé coffee for the last five years and is already moving on to selling bagged grounds. Wendy’s came out with their Redhead Rooster line over a year ago, right before ranking second in U.S. systemwide sales and kicking Burger King down to third place. Burger King’s answer was to partner with Seattle’s Best Coffee, a supplier owned by Starbucks that also provides coffee to Subway and Taco Bell.
Not trying to cast shade here, but Subway and Taco Bell aren’t exactly known for having excellent coffee and we don’t think Burger King will be able to churn out quality lattes alongside their Whoppers.
H/T WSJ Online