McDonald's Will Offer Free Wi-Fi

Unlimited Internet access comes with new content system

(NEWSER) - Starbucks will offer free unlimited Wi-Fi at its company-owned stores starting July 1. Battered by the recession and the successful challenge mounted by McDonald's, the coffee giant will also plug its customers into customized content—including free access to pay sites like the Wall Street Journal's, Frank James blogs for NPR . The goal is to draw users in and keep them around, notes the LA Times . More»

Unseats Burger King, Wendy's

(NEWSER) - The Whopper and the Frosty have officially been replaced by the Frappuccino: Starbucks is now the nation's No. 3 chain, having leapfrogged in front of burger giants Burger King and Wendy's, who, according to one researcher, have been struggling to find "their niche." In terms of total 2010 sales, the Seattle-based coffee behemoth lags behind only McDonald's and Subway, reports USA Today. More»

Company pours it on in war with McDonald's

(NEWSER) - Make room for a big shot of Starbucks. The caffeine-pushing franchise is unveiling a new 31-ounce "Trenta" cup size, which holds 7 ounces more than its current largest Venti cup. The new size will be only for iced drinks, including iced teas, coffees, and lemonade teas. The drinks, selling for 50 cents more than the Venti size, will be introduced in 14 states beginning this month, and will be in all US Starbucks by May, Reuters reports. The move is the latest strategy in the war between Starbucks and McDonald's, which is making inroads into Starbucks' market, and offers a 32-ounce sweet tea drink. More»

Unfortunately, your peppermint mocha still contains calories

(NEWSER) - Beverages are liquid, so people seem to forget that they still have calories—especially holiday beverages, with their added peppermint, chocolate, and caramel. The New York Post lists five of the worst holiday drinks, courtesy of Eat This, Not That! author David Zinczenko:

• Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha: A venti with whole milk and whipped cream is a whopping 700 calories, about equal to 17-plus actual candy canes.
• McDonald's Frappe Caramel: A large will cost you 680 calories, and the same amount of sugar as 31 Werther's Original caramel chocolate candies.

Coffee shops shouldn't feel like cubicle farms, say owners

(NEWSER) - California's coffee shops were pioneers in providing free WiFi, but a growing number are starting to pull the plug. Some complain that laptop users taking up space and nursing a single drink all day are killing profits, while others want to keep a friendly vibe in their establishments by having customers spend their time talking, not typing. Owners say they've received plenty of compliments from customers happy to have a space where they won't get distracted by the Internet. More»