McDonald’s is facing another setback. Nearly two months after Quarter Pounders were temporarily removed from its menu following an E. coli outbreak, the fast-food giant has now stopped offering espresso-based drinks at some U.S. locations because the machine that makes the beverages are disabled for the time being due to a safety issue.
What’s happening with McDonald’s espresso machines?
McDonald’s has temporarily decommissioned its espresso machines at some U.S. locations following a safety concern raised by Melitta, the German manufacturer of the $3,000 CT8 machines used to prepare McCafé beverages. According to a statement from Melitta, the company has “recommended a temporary stop-use for the affected customers” as it investigates the issue. The manufacturer aims to identify the root cause and provide a remediation plan.
While Melitta has not disclosed specific details about the safety concern, TheTakeout.com reported that the problem may involve faulty steam pressure in the machines, which could lead to a complete equipment failure.
Speculation on social media has added to the intrigue. A Reddit thread titled “(USA) True? McDonald’s manager just told me all McD espresso machines will be down for next 21 days at all loc for investigation” features alleged McDonald’s employees sharing insights. One user claimed, “We got shown a video of it exploding out of nowhere on someone”. Another described receiving a recall notice but noted that the situation is being kept “extremely hush-hush.” Also, employees were reportedly instructed to immediately cease using the machines without any further explanation given.
Which locations are affected?
The safety issue with McDonald’s espresso machines appears to have a broad impact across its U.S. locations. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, franchises in Louisville, Kentucky, are already affected, while The Wall Street Journal reported similar disruptions at several Chicago locations. CNN also found that espresso-based drinks were unavailable for order in multiple cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, Pittsburgh, New York, and Tampa, Florida, when browsing the McDonald’s app.
McDonald’s has acknowledged the situation, stating that it is still “determining the scope” of the problem. However, it seems to be widespread. With thousands of locations nationwide, many franchises are likely facing similar disruptions. The Wall Street Journal also confirmed Reddit rumors, reporting that the issue could take up to three weeks to resolve, leaving many stores unable to offer espresso-based drinks.
How Does the Issue Impact McDonald’s Menu and Business?
The espresso machine issue has significantly impacted McDonald’s beverage offerings. Customers can no longer order popular espresso-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos. However, iced and hot brewed coffee remain available. the chain confirmed to CNN.
Still, this disruption comes at an inopportune time as it coincides with McDonald’s recent holiday drink collaboration with Doodles, which launched just days ago.
Coffee is a crucial component of McDonald’s business, with the chain selling nearly 8 million cups daily. The company has even launched a separate restaurant, CosMc’s, dedicated to specialty coffee drinks.
The timing of the espresso machine issue is particularly challenging for McDonald’s, as it is still recovering from the recent E. coli outbreak mentioned above, which negatively impacted the chain’s sales and customer traffic. To mitigate these challenges, the company announced a $100 million marketing push last week to support its most heavily impacted franchises and boost business during the critical holiday season.