McDonald’s first coffeehouse-style café was called McCafé, and it opened in Melbourne, Australia, in 1993.
The McCafé concept was created to give McDonald’s a more specialized coffee presentation within or beside its restaurants. The first location was developed by Australian McDonald’s licensee Ann Brown and her husband, Peter. Its café atmosphere and espresso-based drinks helped the company compete more directly for customers seeking café beverages.
McCafé became an important sub-brand because it added a separate visual and product identity while remaining connected to the parent company. The concept later expanded internationally, although menus and store formats varied by country.
The name is sometimes written as two words or confused with generic McDonald’s coffee branding. “McCafé” is the official branded form, using the company’s “Mc” naming pattern and the accent in “Café.”