McDonald's announced Friday it would offer free coffee during breakfast hours for the next two weeks, escalating the fast-food breakfast war between the McGriddle maker and Taco Bell.
The salvo comes just a day after Taco Bell kicked off a 14-item breakfast menu alongside a new 7 a.m. opening time in an attempt to steal market share in fast-food's most rapidly growing category,
according to The Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch blog.
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Explaining the details, McDonald's said customers will receive a free 12-ounce small coffee from March 31 through April 13 at participating locations.
They'll also be treated to a number of prizes and entertainment at special "Make Friends with McCafe" sampling events at "high-traffic locations and transportation hubs in multiple cities across the country." In addition to "live musical performances, spontaneous comedy experiences and more," lucky Twitter users will also receive daily prizes for following the
@McCafe account.
Taco Bell began taunting their rival this week as they kicked off their campaign with a new TV commercial featuring over
20 real-life men named Ronald McDonald who profess their love for the new smorgasbord of Waffle Tacos and A.M. Crunchwraps.
"I'm Ronald McDonald, and I love Taco Bell's new breakfast," they say in a montage sequence during the clip.
Firing back almost immediately, Mayor McCheese held a press conference denying rumors that the famous clown Ronald McDonald was a turncoat.
Grimace and the Hamburglar have yet to weigh in on the battle, and it remains to be seen if Taco Bell will counter the free coffee offer with more of their promotional Waffle Taco apparel and accessories.
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