McDonald's gave its coffeehouse-style brand the name McCafé when it launched in Melbourne in 1993.
The concept was created to give McDonald's restaurants a more café-like coffee identity, with espresso-based drinks and a distinct branded presentation. It began at a Melbourne restaurant and later expanded through McDonald's markets around the world.
The accent in McCafé is part of the brand's standard styling, although some markets and ordinary text omit it. The name should not be confused with McDonald's general coffee menu, which predates or exists separately from the McCafé identity.
McCafé became especially significant in markets where café culture and barista-prepared coffee were strong. Its expansion helped McDonald's compete more directly with dedicated coffeehouse chains while keeping the brand connected to its familiar Mc prefix.