McDonald’s espresso machines are facing another round of trouble, this time leading to the temporary suspension of several espresso-based drinks at select locations across the U.S. While patrons might have learned to cope with the infamous ice cream machine malfunctions, it’s the espresso machines causing concern now.
The crux of the issue lies with the CT8 espresso machines supplied by Melitta, the German manufacturer. Recently, Melitta has flagged potential safety risks associated with these machines, prompting the fast-food giant to act quickly. "Our supplier, Melitta, informed all their customers of a potential equipment safety risk for one of its machines. We have moved quickly to decommission these machines in restaurants and are staying in contact with our supplier to safely resolve the issue," McDonald's communicated via email.
Although the exact number of affected locations hasn't been fully determined, reports indicate the Louisville, Kentucky market has already noticed the impact, with some Chicago stores also affected. Espresso-based drinks such as hot and iced lattes, along with cappuccinos, have been pulled from the menu temporarily until the situation resolves itself. Non-espresso offerings, including regular brewed coffee, remain available.
According to Nation's Restaurant News, Melitta is investigating two affected machines, working diligently to identify the root cause of the malfunction and formulate a remediation plan. They emphasized the need for this precaution to safeguard customers. “We are investigating the two impacted machines. Our intent is to determine the root cause and provide a remediation plan,” stated a Melitta spokesperson.
Interestingly, this latest malfunction follows soon after McDonald's launched its festive “GM Spread Joy” campaign, collaborating with Doodles to offer exclusive digital collectibles for coffee purchases. With espresso drinks out of the picture, many customers might need to look for alternative treats, such as fluffy sodas or blended smoothies, to brighten their day.
Illustratively, coffee is of strategic importance for McDonald’s, especially since the coffee category is witnessing substantial growth. The fast-food chain has ambitions to bolster its coffee business, which has been part of the McCafé brand for nearly three decades. Last year, at its Investor Day event, Jo Sempels, president of International Developmental Licensed Markets, candidly shared, “While we’ve had success, we still haven’t realized our full global potential.” He articulated the need to streamline the coffee mechanism across its global establishments for consistent quality and experience.
Reaching around 8 million cups sold daily, McDonald’s is positioned as the second largest coffee player globally, thanks to its strategic focus on enhancing its coffee brand. McDonald’s has mentioned its intention of narrowing down the equipment variety it uses, reducing it to five global suppliers to minimize inconsistencies.
Meanwhile, amid the current espresso crisis, employees have taken to social media to share updates on what they know. A thread on Reddit revealed employee insights about the temporary shutdown for investigation, with one user mentioning seeing videos of units collapsing. Echoing this sentiment, another wrote, “We got shown a video of it exploding out of nowhere.”
Multiple franchises have also stated the machines have effectively been put out of commission, indicating efforts across the board to secure safety for customers.
Despite these mechanical woes, experts argue the need for McDonald's to rise above recurring equipment challenges. Earlier this year, it aimed to address operational inconsistencies by standardizing its offerings and ensuring quality control. This espresso machine hiccup serves as yet another test for adjustments the company must make to cater effectively to the wants of its customer base.
Many regulars accustomed to grabbing their morning espresso fix or afternoon cappuccino might need to look elsewhere during this period of pause. The situation is expected to last up to three weeks, leaving loyal fans of the McCafé line itching for their favorite beverages. "We are developing plans on how to best adapt and execute against cold coffee beverages and provide convenience, value, and high-quality taste synonymous with McDonald’s," Sempels assured.
While the espresso machines are temporarily out of commission, customers and coffee aficionados will undoubtedly keep their fingers crossed for swift repairs. Until then, it might just be time to switch gears and explore alternative treats at McDonald’s or perhaps venture to neighboring coffee shops.
