Coca Cola has introduced what some are calling the "beverage dispenser of the future".According to an article on QSRmagazine.com:
“We believe this will do for beverages what mp3 did for music,” says Ray Crockett, director of communications for Coca-Cola North America.
"Customers can choose their beverages—among more than 100 varieties—via a touch screen located on the front of the machine"
"Second-generation versions of the dispensers will begin testing in the first half of 2009"
Wow! Imagine choosing from a selection of over 100 beverages! No more need to mix Coke & orange.
Will we see these in McDonald's soon? It sure sounds like it. If you spot one in action, check it out and report to us via COMMENT. Thanks!
The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.
Image: QSRmagazine.com
Interesting. I've heard about these but haven't seen them yet. Interesting artwork. I guess it can only serve one person at a time, so I have to wait for every other yay-hoo to finish getting their drink order before I get mine?
ReplyDeletePaxton's got a point... for a high volume quick serve environment, this could be a disaster. The guy who is holding up the line trying to decide between the #1 and #2 Value Meals now gets his drink cup and has to choose one of 100+ flavors? Still, it would be cool to sample the different flavors of Coke available worldwide. One more thing: how does this square with some headlines I've seen recently reporting that fast food restaurants are eliminating FREE refills to cut costs? This looks like a self serve machine.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful comments, Paxton & Scott.
ReplyDeleteIf this machine handles one customer at a time it looks like it will be a major bottleneck.
The McChronicles also wonders how clean it will remain after 10 8-year old little leaguers each have their way with it.
Like a lot of things in life, it seems like a great idea IF everyone plays nice (keeps it clean, moves along quickly, etc.), but it is easy to imagine how this could become a good thing gone bad.
Let's hope that the smart people at Coca-Cola have thought this through properly.
Thanks for the comments! Can't wait to hear more.
First Ray Kroc with his multimixers and now Ray Crockett with this new version. I don't know what to make of it.
ReplyDeleteThe McChronicles went to McDonald's corporate HQ and developmental kitchens today. While there we inquired about this new machine, and asked if McDonald's had plans to implement it anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteNo one in the group of people we talked to knew anything about it. Perhaps it is a topic that they aren't allowed to discuss, perhaps we were talking to the wrong people, or perhaps there are no plans to implement it.
Nonetheless, The McChronicles is eager to experience this machine, wherever it appears.
Sounds like a great idea
ReplyDelete