Will McDonald’s coffee price freeze trigger a value war in Canada?

With its reputation for affordable fast food under threat across North America, cheaper coffee could provide a vital footfall boost for McDonald’s – but will other coffee operators follow suit?

McDonald’s Canada has upped the ante on value-focused competition after freezing the price of coffee and lowering the cost of its meal deal.

The fast-food franchise, which operates 1,500 outlets in Canada, said on 13 January it would keep its small 10-oz McCafè Premium Roast priced at CA$1 ($0.72) for a year.