• MSNBC/AP, Thursday, March 1, 2007 11:30 AM

McDonald's president and COO Ralph Alvarez says that the company is seeking "destination beverages" to bring new customers to its restaurants and may add smoothies, iced coffee and other specialty coffees to the menu.

McDonald's already has scored a hit beverage recently with the addition of premium coffee to its more than 13,700 U.S. restaurants a year ago. Alvarez says coffee unit volume is up 15% as a result. The introduction of a higher-priced coffee was part of the Oak Brook, Ill.-based chain's push to grow its breakfast business.

The company is also planning a rollout of the cinnamon melt, which Alvarez describes as a warm, pull-apart sweet roll with cinnamon glaze. It will hit 11,000 U.S. McDonald's restaurants by summer.

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