McDonald’s may be taking a bigger step toward keeping pace with coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’.
The Chicago-based fast-food chain is testing Cold Brew at some locations in Southern California, the company confirmed in an email. The test will take place for a limited time.
McDonald’s is testing a regular Cold Brew served black over ice, along with a Marble Cold Brew featuring cold brew mixed with a creamy syrup and topped with cream. Cold Brew can be made using the company’s existing equipment, which makes it an easier product add for operators.
And it comes at a premium price. A search of pricing on the McDonald’s app shows a price of $4.69 for a medium, or about $1 more than a typical flavored iced coffee.
The test comes as cold coffee beverages continue to take off in the U.S., prompting a growing number of coffee chains and other concepts to expand their cold options.
More than 70% of the beverage sales at Starbucks is from cold beverages and customers have been increasingly customizing those orders.
Cold brew coffee, in which coffee is steeped at cooler temperatures for an extended period of time, has been a popular addition at restaurants.
McDonald’s has been adding items to its McCafe lineup in recent years, including pastries such as cinnamon rolls and apple fritters. But it is also testing the sale of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Louisville, Ky.
Big Mac Sauce Dip Cups
McDonald’s also said on Wednesday that it will start selling Big Mac Sauce Dip Cups in the U.S. for a limited time starting April 27.
The dip cups will only be available on the company’s mobile app.
The dipping cups will feature blue and silver packaging, a throwback to the packaging used in 1968 when the Big Mac made its debut.
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