THSCC Forums

I saw something new to me today at the Wendy's on Miami Blvd in the Bethesda section of Durham. They've installed new self-serve soft drink dispensers. They're huge and take a lot space in the condiments/straws/napkins area of the store, but they are cool. Metallic gray cabinet, without the Coca-Cola logos and swoosh stripe shown below, plus a little chrome "pininfarina" badge on the lower front panel. If you can't afford an Italian exotic, at least you can pour yourself a fine Coca-Cola product at your local Wendy's.

_________________
Art McDonald
Premier Amateur #518
2008 Dishman Cup
Pivot Cone Snob

Rodney is a waxer (but in a good way)

I really like these new setups... One issue I found... when the restaurants one fountain drink goes down... your not getting a drink.

i have seen these, at some moes grill places, after learning how to work it. its actually quite cool.

_________________
hey yall,watch this...

They have been out awhile, but are showing up more and more. They are very cool, but I think the number one problem with them is that they can serve only one person at a time.

Richard

_________________
Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

I dislike these things.

Couple of problems with them.

If you drink something like Sprite, you always taste what the previous person had. Even if you let it run for a few seconds first.

Also, only person at a time, so in a busy restaurant (like Moe's), it's just one more line that you have to wait in.

_________________
In need of car.

I think you guys are being picky. It may be a bit less functional than the old dispensers, but when was the last you (or I) actually smiled when seeing a soft drink dispenser? (Sure, I was a sucker for the chrome pininfarina logo on the front)

_________________
Art McDonald
Premier Amateur #518
2008 Dishman Cup
Pivot Cone Snob

Rodney is a waxer (but in a good way)

When are they going to come with a rum option?

_________________
2011/2012 Autox VP
2013/2014.5 President
2013 Top Gun

2015 Fit

22R-EC => 4G63 => D16Y7 + D16Y8 => EJ255 + K24Z2 => K20Z3 + K24Z2 => K24Z2 + M54 => L15B

I'm as big a geek as you'll find, and I thought these things were GREAT when they first came out.

However, I'm now of the opinion that they suck. Yeah, I do like the variety the extra flavors offer, but what drives me crazy is not only are they one person at a time, but usually that one person can't figure out how to use it and it takes them MUCH longer than a normal fountain. I've been in a busy Five Guys before that had TWO of them and you still stand there and wait for a couple minutes to get to the thing.


--Donnie

_________________
My Blog

I feel the exact same way Donnie. I enjoy using them, like the visual design element, but they can be a pain in a busy restaurant. There is also the "newbie" issue in that you have people walk up and are 100% puzzled as to what to do. So someone else has to show them how to use it while there is a line behind them. Once everyone is over the learning curve that will go away. I will not be surprised if we see a version 2.0 that has a smaller screen, maybe even a less modern UI and can serve 2-3 people at the same time.

Richard

_________________
Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

When Moe's can assemble a burrito in less time than it takes for someone to fill their drink something is wrong with your design.

Maybe it's all a scheme to lower the amount of soda Americans drink.

Moe's was the first place I saw these and the interface works better than I thought it would. I just got a Qdoba coupon in the mail for a free Coke Freestyle and was wondering what the heck that meant until I realized they probably just picked on of these machines up.

They're pretty neat as long as the reliability is there.