Until June 16th

Since I’m not one to rise with the sun, to put it mildly, but still wanted to bring you a report on McDonalds' free coffee promotion, I sent an assistant spy to get the info for you.

Free coffee at McDonalds!

Promotion period: 8:00 - 8:30 AM everyday until June 16th, 2009.

Coffee quality: Somewhat watery drip coffee.

Accessories: Milk and sugar are given separately.

Any catch? You don’t have to order anything else. More than a few people are observed waltzing into McDonalds, grabbing their free cup of coffee and leaving.

Crowd observations at a certain McDonalds in Shanghai a few days ago: During the promotion period half hour, approximately 35 people entered McDonalds for free coffee. 90% of them just asked for coffee and made for the exit, 10% of people ordered something else and ate there. 80% were older folks who, it is conjectured, live in the neighborhood. After morning exercise, they come in for free coffee, my spy opines. Other patrons were students who may be studying at nearby East China Normal University. Some older and middle-aged customers seem to come frequently to these Golden Arches. Some people are greeted by fuwuyuan with a familiar “Hallo, it’s you again.”

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