THE RISE OF THE INSTAGRAMMABLE COFFEE CUP

THE RISE OF THE INSTAGRAMMABLE COFFEE CUP

New research from McDonald’s UK reveals three quarters of Gen Z care how their takeaway cup looks, as coffee becomes part of the snap and share culture

• New McCafé® research reveals just how much looks matter, as the brand gives its iconic cups a bold new purple and yellow makeover.
• Brits lift the lid on what they really want from their coffee, with one in four (24%) saying it has become too expensive.
• KISS Breakfast presenter Chloe Burrows challenges commuters with a blind taste test of the revamped McCafé®.

New research from McDonald's UK reveals that coffee cups are becoming a surprising status symbol among younger consumers, with three quarters (76%) of Gen Z saying they care what a coffee cup looks like, compared to 69% of Millennials and just 39% of Boomers.*

The study of 2,000 UK adults found that one in ten (10%) Gen Z respondents even admitted to matching their coffee cup to their outfit, compared to just 2% of Gen X.

The findings come as McDonald’s UK unveils a refreshed McCafé® offering, pairing a lighter roast made from 100% Arabica beans and new Salted Caramel and Vanilla syrups with a bold new purple and yellow look for its iconic cups.

It’s also clear that rising coffee prices are leaving a bitter taste for consumers, with one in four (24%) Brits saying coffee has become too expensive, and one in five (20%) now describing coffee as a luxury rather than an everyday purchase. 

Despite broader concerns around cost, younger generations continue to fuel the nation's coffee obsession. Gen Z spend an average of £199.68 a year on takeaway coffees**, 16% more than Boomers, making the everyday coffee prices McDonald’s UK offers a welcome option for coffee lovers.  

Regional differences were particularly stark, with Liverpudlians feeling the pinch the most. Over one third (38%) said coffee has become too expensive, compared to just 22% of Londoners and 17% of people in Leeds.

To put the McCafé® to the test, KISS Breakfast presenter Chloe Burrows teamed up with McDonald's to challenge Londoners to a blind taste test of the revamped coffee.

Chloe commented: “As someone who's up at the crack of dawn every weekday for radio, coffee is basically a colleague for me at this point and decent coffee is a must. A Maccies Vanilla Latte is my go-to, fuelling those early mornings on air. Plus, I’m not breaking the bank just to keep up my daily coffee habit, so it’s a winner all around!”

During the challenge, participants were surprised to discover that the coffee they were enjoying was actually McCafé®, with reactions including: "That's really good", "Yum" and "I'd buy that".

Several participants even estimated they would expect to pay between £4 and £5 for the coffee, before learning it was in fact a McCafé® Latte from McDonald's, priced at just £2.17.

But it's not just price that's causing frustration. Brits are increasingly overwhelmed by modern coffee culture, with almost a fifth (17%) saying there are simply too many coffee options available, while 14% feel coffee culture has become too pretentious.

When it comes to what matters most in a cup of coffee, taste remains king, with almost half (48%) citing it as their top priority. However, value is increasingly important too, with 42% of Gen Z saying price is a key consideration, while 36% prioritise quality.

With prices starting from just £1.29 for a Single Espresso, McDonald's UK is offering coffee lovers a high-quality coffee experience without the premium price tag.

ENDS

For more information, please contact mcdonaldsvalueteam@redconsultancy.com

Research was conducted by Censuswide among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Nat Rep UK adults between 18.09.2026-21.09.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society and the British Polling Council, and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge.

*Three quarters of Gen Z figure is reverse of ‘Nothing – I only care about what’s inside it’ – 24%

**£199.68 figure sssumes 1x coffee per week at Gen Z’s average spend of £3.84