... and promises to do better: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10729665.

In the U.S., companies only do this implicitly and only after they've improved the product.

Hahaha I wonder when the rest of MD's will follow and apologise. The first year I did the BMO Marathon in Vancouver they were a sponsor and giving out free coffee, nearly made me wretch.

The implication in the sentence "Australians have a very sophisticated coffee palate and we were not delivering a strong enough cup of coffee." doesn't seem to bode well for them as I find there is a big difference between good and strong.

I also like the fact that Starbucks ran into trouble in Australia then delivered an inadvertent slap in the face to its North American customers by saying how they had misjudged the 'sophistication' of Australian palates. It might be true but I don't think it was the best PR for them though I guess it was a statement made down under and not intended for broader circulation.

Now if they could run into trouble in every other country that would make my day.

Don't think the Indies Down Under have anything to worry about. McD's solution "a darker, richer roast" and "upskilling baristas on the new blend". Indeed roast darker and upskilling on how to push the super-auto button.

miKe mcKoffee wrote:Don't think the Indies Down Under have anything to worry about. McD's solution "a darker, richer roast" and "upskilling baristas on the new blend". Indeed roast darker and upskilling on how to push the super-auto button.

I could be wrong, but I don't think McD uses super autos in Australia.

Marshall wrote:I could be wrong, but I don't think McD uses super autos in Australia.

If you're right that's even scarier...

Lots of Franke super autos with steam wands.
Cafiza full auto for drive through.

Some reports of espresso machines at individual locations. Seems like individual franchisees have some agency to choose.

framey wrote:Lots of Franke super autos with steam wands.
Cafiza full auto for drive through.

Some reports of espresso machines at individual locations. Seems like individual franchisees have some agency to choose.

I must have been thinking of the McCafes, when they introduced them in Australia.

This is not from Australia, but at least outside the US, the McCafes are quite different.... The espresso may not be good, but the pastry is quite tasty.

whoa....just switch the paper for porcelain and it would look pretty good to me.

chang00, those photos are impressive. Indeed they don't look like anything I've seen in the states. Had a McD latte once (straight, no flavoring added) and it was so sweet as to be unbearable.