STUPID new Coke fountain

SumpChump · Mar 21, 2015

We have these new monolithic touch screen Coke machines with touch screens at our local Wendy's and Burger Kings. Man they are the pits. Sloooow touch screen. Low intuitiveness. Dump ice like nuts. One person at a time only gets to use it versus the old fountain 'bar'. Horrible tasting 'added flavor shots'. I'm nearing my late 30's and I can't even interact with the thing easily. All I do is watch person after person fumble and the elderly looking up then down then pressing then being offered 99 flavors. Whomever lead the 'team' on this should be horsewhipped.

Why the [censored] did we make getting a cola a five button process!?

ThirdeYe · Mar 21, 2015

I like it, much more variety and it has flavors that arent as easy to find anymore, like coke with lime and vanilla coke. I admit, though, it is very slow.

WankelRotorHead · Mar 21, 2015

Yes, but who else has a soda machine designed by Pininfarina!

I think they are dumb too...

simple_gifts · Mar 21, 2015

I've seen those; no one seems to know how to work them.

Wolf359 · Mar 21, 2015

I always liked them. You can get caffeine free soda. You usually can't find it in the regular dispenser. Maybe the first time or two it might take a little while to figure out, but it's not that bad. Better than the alternative. The real problem with just one machine causing a line is that there should be two machines. The busier places have two machines and it's usually not bad.

zzyzzx · Mar 21, 2015

I also like these new machines, since I like to have cheery flavoring added.

old1 · Mar 21, 2015

I actually just came from Wendys, and their machine is formatted a little different than BK's. I am as computer illiterate as they come. and it took me all of 10 seconds to figure out the difference. I personally love all the flavors. usually get diet Fanta with either peach or strawberry flavor.

mjk · Mar 21, 2015

Been using 1 for 2 years. No issues, and the combos are a nice addition. 3/4 coke and 1/4 lemonade is delicious.

Cutehumor · Mar 21, 2015

the only problem I see when there is a line for soda refills. it's a pain or when the machine runs out of ice. other than that, the abundant flavors are great.

michaelluscher · Mar 21, 2015

Been using them at Five Guys for donkeys years, there a little sluggish to respond, but they get the job done well enough.

Rick in PA · Mar 21, 2015

I got a chuckle when Wendys installed the new machines.

Use to be when you bought a soda at Wendys, ya got what ya got. No refills.

Now they have a fancy new soda machine, probably paid for and installed by Coke.

Now everybody goes back and gets a "free" refill. Coke's probably moving twice the amount of syrup and Wendys is paying for it. Nice little profit bump for Coke.*

* Just my speculation.

firemachine69 · Mar 21, 2015

Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
the only problem I see when there is a line for soda refills. it's a pain or when the machine runs out of ice. other than that, the abundant flavors are great.

None in my neck of the woods. Too bad. Would love a diet-cherry coke for my lunches.

michaelluscher · Mar 21, 2015

Been using them at Five Guys for donkeys years, there a little sluggish to respond, but they get the job done well enough.

tinmanSC · Mar 21, 2015

Been using these in the chicago Burbs for a while. I love them! They do take some getting used to, but all the flavors and mixes are awesome. I really like them! I will agree that the touch screen response could be faster.

SumpChump · Mar 21, 2015

To each his own, but man I don't think they did testing on these too thoroughly. My iPhone could command the while unit much faster.

Darren270 · Mar 21, 2015

Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
I got a chuckle when Wendys installed the new machines.

Use to be when you bought a soda at Wendys, ya got what ya got. No refills.

Yeah. Like 30 years ago.

Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
Now they have a fancy new soda machine, probably paid for and installed by Coke.

Now everybody goes back and gets a "free" refill. Coke's probably moving twice the amount of syrup and Wendys is paying for it. Nice little profit bump for Coke.*

* Just my speculation.

Actually, no. All soda fountains new and old in restaurants and convenience stores are leased by the restaurant and the syrup is provided free of charge by the soda company. This is why they can afford to give free refills.

3800Series · Mar 21, 2015

I really liked it at first. But after my second or third time using one I noticed all the drinks tasted similar. The flavors tasted mixed and I also started noticing a lot of the new options where always out. Seems like 2/3 the time what ever I want is out..

3800Series · Mar 21, 2015

Originally Posted By: Darren270
Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
I got a chuckle when Wendys installed the new machines.

Use to be when you bought a soda at Wendys, ya got what ya got. No refills.

Yeah. Like 30 years ago.

Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
Now they have a fancy new soda machine, probably paid for and installed by Coke.

Now everybody goes back and gets a "free" refill. Coke's probably moving twice the amount of syrup and Wendys is paying for it. Nice little profit bump for Coke.*

* Just my speculation.

Actually, no. All soda fountains new and old in restaurants and convenience stores are leased by the restaurant and the syrup is provided free of charge by the soda company. This is why they can afford to give free refills.

+1 also I would like to mention iv only been to one place where the only fountain was behind the counter and that happened to be a Wendy's.

The_Jeff · Mar 21, 2015

I worked a small restaurant that used pre-mix. Heavy kegs.

Sounds like these are carbonating syrup on-the-spot. If so the transportation cost reduction will be substantial.

Dave Hess · Mar 21, 2015

Yeah, people take 5 minutes to pick a soda and fill up a cup