McDonald's plans to offer free Wi-Fi

"We're not just about hamburgers," said Dave Grooms, chief information officer for McDonald's USA.

The Oak Brook-based company, the world's largest fast-food chain, offers Internet access at roughly 11,000 of its 14,000 U.S. locations.

In mid-January, it will lift the $2.95 fee it has charged for two hours of Internet access. There will be no time limit after the fee is lifted.

"We want people to have a comfortable place to sit and check their e-mail and get online," Grooms said. "We've become a destination for our beverages and our coffees, and Wi-Fi naturally fits with that."

The company's growing coffee business has increased its competition with Starbucks Corp., which also offers free wireless access. Coffee and the McCafe line of drinks at McDonald's have helped drive its sales and increase its U.S. market share.