McCafé began as a standalone café in Melbourne, Australia, in 1993.
The concept was developed to give McDonald’s a more specialized coffee identity while retaining the company’s existing restaurant network. The first McCafé opened in Melbourne, and the format later spread to McDonald’s restaurants in other countries.
McCafé branding generally used café-style menus and presentation, including espresso-based drinks and other coffee products. This helped McDonald’s compete in markets where dedicated coffee shops were becoming increasingly important to consumers.
The name is sometimes treated as if it were simply a product label for ordinary McDonald’s coffee. Historically, however, McCafé refers to a branded café concept that originated in Australia. Its appearance, menu, and interior design have varied by country, because McDonald’s adapts parts of its branding and products to local markets.