McDonald's goes head to head with Starbucks

First it was specialty coffees, now Mickey D's "will soon start offering free wireless Internet access at its U.S. restaurants as part of the fast-food chain's transformation from its hamburger roots into a hang-out destination," says the Wall Street Journal.

McDonald's USA Chief Information Officer David Grooms says the decision is part of an evolution of McDonald's into a "destination," where customers see it as more than a place to get a Big Mac and fries. "We're becoming a destination and free wi-fi just naturally fits," he said. "This is another long-term investment that we see helps McDonald's stay relevant as a brand in the marketplace."