McDonald's first launched the McCafé coffeehouse concept in Melbourne, Australia, in 1993.
The concept was created to give McDonald's a stronger identity in the café and espresso-coffee market. It added a dedicated coffeehouse-style environment and coffee menu to a McDonald's restaurant, helping the company respond to changing café habits and local competition.
The Melbourne launch became the starting point for international expansion. McCafé locations later appeared in many countries, with menus and store formats adapted to local markets. The name preserved the McDonald's brand connection while signaling a more specialized coffee experience.
McCafé is sometimes described as if it began in the United States, but Australia was the origin of the concept. The accent in the official styling is also part of the name: “McCafé.” The launch illustrates how McDonald's extended its visual and product branding into a category beyond hamburgers and fries.