and the restaurant industry is changing right along with it. Nearly ever new piece of major equipment sold has a computer chip in it somewhere, for starters. This has led to better regulated temperatures and cooking times; now delicate food offerings can be offered at a better consistency.
This trend isn't regulated to just food, either. Coca-Cola has been steadily marketing it's Freestyle Coca-Cola machines, and are soon going to launch a nation-wide campaign centered around the new-ish device. For those not in the loop, the new machine can crank out 125 unique drinks out of a single spout, thanks to ditching the traditional bag-in-a-box design, adding RDIF tags, and an innovative touch-screen. In fact, Coca-Cola recently added 19 drinks to the existing 106-drink lineup in anticipation of their 125th Anniversary. So, did a serviceman come out and update the machines? Did they add new syrups? Nope, it was all done in an automatic software update via the internet. It's been touted as the next-generation soda machine, doing to traditional soda fountains what soda fountains did to soda jerks.
Watch this robot use a Free-Style dispenser
So, there's a lot of hype, but is it really that big of a deal? In early August, Firehouse Subs, the fast-growing chain, announced plans to implement these new Coca-Cola Freestyle soda machines in every last one of their stores. That's a pretty big investment. As a side note, as Coca-Cola controls something like 60% of the soda market, they probably have enough money to pull off some hefty customer satisfaction surveys. But then again, they also thought New Coke was a good idea. And yet again, they probably learned from that mistake.
What does this all mean? Is there truly anything special about this cacophony of carbonated concoctions?
Let me find that out for you. I just noticed that one of these Pininfarina-designed beasts (yes, really, the company best-known for it's Ferrari designs, including the Daytona, F40, and 599 GTB) has been installed nearby, and I'll be sure to report back when I try it. Peach Fanta is first on my list, followed by Orange Coke.
Obviously, this machine is exclusive to Coca-Cola, and Restaurant Equipment World does not sell it. Although we never enjoy watching your business go elsewhere, you can contact your local Coca-Cola representative about getting one for your establishment. With that being said, the Scotsman Prodigy C0322 and C0522 ice machines are definitely sold by us, and they are completely compatible with the new Coca-Cola Freestyle machine. So if you happen to get one, remember who let you know about it.
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