McDonald’s is aiming to overtake Starbucks as Europe’s biggest coffee chain, with plans to open several hundred McCafé stores selling pastries and cappuccinos this year.

While Starbucks – which has 1,300 stores in Europe – has been scaling back on its European expansion, McDonald’s has ambitious growth plans for its branded cafes on the continent.

The fast food chain wants to expand its chain of McCafés, which operate within or next to regular McDonald’s restaurants, to 1,200 in Europe by the end of the year.

McDonald’s has yet to open any McCafés in the UK, where about half of Starbucks’ European stores are based.

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