McCafé was the McDonald's brand extension that began in 1993 as a coffee counter in Melbourne.
The McCafé concept was created to give McDonald's a stronger presence in the café and espresso market. Its first location operated in Melbourne, Australia, where coffee culture made the format especially relevant. The name combined the McDonald's prefix with “café,” making the relationship to the parent brand immediately clear.
McCafé later spread beyond Australia and became a recognizable international sub-brand. Its menu and store presentation vary by country, but the branding generally emphasizes coffee, espresso drinks, pastries, and a café-style experience.
McCafé should not be confused with McDonald's standard coffee menu, which existed independently of the dedicated sub-brand. The important branding milestone is the creation of a named café identity within McDonald's restaurants.