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Published on November 27, 2007

McThai executive committee chairman and CEO Hester Chew yesterday said each counter cost about Bt2 million. He said 10 of the additional McCafes would be at upcountry McDonald's.

He said the coffee market still had room for expansion. Per-capita consumption is half a cup per person per day, which is low, compared with the United States at 3.1 cups a day. He estimates sales could grow 10-15 per cent next year from Bt4 billion at present.

McCafe counters have helped individual McDonald's increase sales 10-20 per cent and extended the time each customer spends in a restaurant.

The company has no plans to install McCafes in all McDonald's. About half of all McDonald's will get a McCafe at some time. Selling burgers will continue to be its core business.

Yesterday, McCafe added frappes and hot macadamia-nut lattes to its menu until next January 31. This could add 20 per cent to sales.

Chew said that this year, the company would achieve a considerably lower growth rate of 7 per cent. The fast-food market was sluggish in the first half of the year.

Yet the company is confident sales will grow 20 per cent next year.

There will be 100 McDonald's by the end of this year.

Nitida Asawanipont

 The Nation