McDonald's to finish espresso rollout by mid-2009

All of McDonald's Corp.'s U.S. locations should be able to offer espresso drinks by the middle of next year, with a new line of smoothies and frappes on all menus by 2010, the company said Tuesday.

At a Bank of America investor conference, Chief Operating Officer Ralph Alvarez said the company is working to renovate its drive-throughs in the U.S. to accommodate making the new drinks.

"We're going through the process of making those changes," Alvarez said.

The espresso drinks, which include lattes and mochas offered with a choice of milk and flavorings, are being added to menus across the country. The drinks began appearing early this year after being tested in more than 800 stores. The chain said in November that they would expand the drinks to all U.S. stores by early 2009.

The company branched out into espresso drinks after launching a premium drip coffee that proved to be a strong seller.

Alvarez said the new smoothies and frappes will be offered once the espresso drinks have been added to all locations in the middle of next year. He suggested it may take until 2010 for those drinks to come to all locations.

"It's a staggered rollout," he said.

Alvarez said the chain is hoping customers will begin coming to McDonald's specifically to buy beverages and not just have them as a complement to a meal.

McDonald's shares rose 71 cents to $64.43 in afternoon trading.