Keurig Dr Pepper to distribute McCafé packaged coffee in the US

In the US, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has entered into a long-term agreement with McDonald’s USA to distribute its McCafé packaged coffee.

Under the agreement, KDP will continue to be the exclusive manufacturer of McCafé K-Cup pods in the US. KDP will also take on responsibility for coffee sourcing, distribution and marketing of the McCafé brand in K-Cup pods and bagged and canned coffee formats in all classes of trade, including retail and e-commerce, beginning in the second half of 2020.

With the partnership, McCafé will continue to be marketed alongside KDP’s single-serve brewing systems in addition to in the coffee aisle.

The agreement represents the next chapter in the McCafé packaged coffee business that launched with Kraft Heinz in 2014.

McDonald’s, Kraft Heinz and Keurig Dr Pepper said they will work together to ensure a smooth transition in the second half of 2020.

“We are prioritising making McCafé a go-to coffee brand for our customers, and we are confident this move will strengthen the impact of the McCafé brand in retail,” said McDonald’s USA vice president of menu innovation, Linda Van Gosen.

“We would like to thank our current partner Kraft Heinz for a successful partnership in McCafé packaged coffee. We are looking forward to the next chapter and working with Keurig Dr Pepper, a leader in innovation and marketing of single-serve coffee pods.”

Derek Hopkins, chief commercial officer at KDP, added: “McCafé is emerging as one of the power brands at retail, and we are pleased to welcome the brand as a new member of our licensed brand family.”

“We look forward to innovating with McCafé for our leading Keurig brewing system and bringing our sourcing, roasting, distribution and marketing expertise to further drive growth and expansion of the brand in homes throughout the US.”