McCafé was McDonald's first coffee-focused sub-brand, launched in Australia in 1993.
The name combined “Mc,” a long-standing element of McDonald's product naming, with “café,” immediately signaling a coffeehouse-style offer. The first McCafé opened in Melbourne and featured espresso-based drinks in a setting designed to feel more café-like than a standard fast-food counter.
McCafé broadened McDonald's brand territory. Instead of being associated mainly with burgers, fries, and soft drinks, the company could also market premium coffee and café occasions. The sub-brand subsequently spread to many countries and became a familiar part of McDonald's international identity.
McCafé should not be confused with a particular coffee drink or a temporary promotion. It is the name of the branded café concept itself. The capitalization and accent are also part of the established brand styling.