Coca-Cola Freestyle machines

[bcla]

I saw a few of these machines a few years ago, but didn't necessarily pay too much attention to them other than maybe getting water and iceout of them. Now I'm seeing more and more of them at fairly common fast food and other restaurants, as well as the movie theater I go to the most (although I never buy a soft drink at a movie theater for obvious reasons). One of the big regional fast food places (Jack in the Box) is even advertising their availability, although I haven't seen a machine at my closest one.

Anyone like them? A lot of the options for flavors are a bit interesting, but being able to control the concentration of flavoring would be nice. I thought that the amount of flavoring would be the same if it's Coke or Sprite.

 

[kimblebee]

Our movie theatres have them too. Also, our sevs have the usual Coke, sprite, iced tea options and also allow you to add cherry, vanilla, orange, or lemon flavour as well.

 

[low-key]

little weird but alright

 

[Hook326]

I don't drink a lot of pop but when I do it's diet and most restaurants give you one or two choices of diet flavors so I love the freestyle machine for that reason. Kids like making fun combos of caffeine free types.

 

[Southernmiss]

Meh. These have been around our area for a few years. I get my usual beverage out of it. Tastes just as it does from other soda fountains. Teen DD likes mixing her flavors.

 

[Meriweather]

I like them....we only have a few around us. We do use them at the AMC at DS when we go and use them a lot at the DVC lounge at Epcot.
I only drink diet and do like adding a little flavor.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

Most if not all Wawa convenience stores have had them for at least a year, maybe longer. Sometimes I'll get a shot of raspberry or orange in my Coke.

 

[Kewz1]

We have several places here that have them. My favs are Orange Diet Coke and Peach Sprite Zero.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I saw a few of these machines a few years ago, but didn't necessarily pay too much attention to them other than maybe getting water and iceout of them. Now I'm seeing more and more of them at fairly common fast food and other restaurants, as well as the movie theater I go to the most (although I never buy a soft drink at a movie theater for obvious reasons). One of the big regional fast food places (Jack in the Box) is even advertising their availability, although I haven't seen a machine at my closest one.

Anyone like them? A lot of the options for flavors are a bit interesting, but being able to control the concentration of flavoring would be nice. I thought that the amount of flavoring would be the same if it's Coke or Sprite.

Lime Coke
Cherry Vanilla Mr Pibb
Vanilla Root Beer
Vanilla or Cherry or Cherry Vanilla Coke

You can always do just a half cup of the flavored soda and then a half cup of the regular (i.e. 1/2 lime coke, 1/2 coke) if you find the flavoring too pronounced.

There is a convenience store around here that has a similar set up on their soda machine, except it's just add flavor to the soda. Vanilla, lemon and cherry, I think, and you push the button for the flavor then the soda. Also, the Coke machines here have Hi-C, flavored water (both fizzy and not), and ginger ale for options.

 

[sonnyjane]

There's residual flavoring from the person before you. I know because a lot of times I just get water and the first time I fill the glass, there's still color in it. I have to dump it out and start again.

 

[design_mom]

I dislike them. I just want regular fountain Coke, but even though I don't choose an extra flavor, mine always ends up tasting funny (like lime usually). I've even tried running it for a few seconds before I fill my cup, but no luck.

Also, only one person at a time can fill their cup. The old style machines seemed more efficient.

 

[bcla]

I dislike them. I just want regular fountain Coke, but even though I don't choose an extra flavor, mine always ends up tasting funny (like lime usually). I've even tried running it for a few seconds before I fill my cup, but no luck.

Also, only one person at a time can fill their cup. The old style machines seemed more efficient.

Some of the places I've been to have two or three machines. The problem with residual taste is the biggest with water, since it's usually shared with some other beverage at the fountain. I tried clearing it out, but at one place I could still taste a bit of lemonade.

Lime Coke
Cherry Vanilla Mr Pibb
Vanilla Root Beer
Vanilla or Cherry or Cherry Vanilla Coke

You can always do just a half cup of the flavored soda and then a half cup of the regular (i.e. 1/2 lime coke, 1/2 coke) if you find the flavoring too pronounced.

There is a convenience store around here that has a similar set up on their soda machine, except it's just add flavor to the soda. Vanilla, lemon and cherry, I think, and you push the button for the flavor then the soda. Also, the Coke machines here have Hi-C, flavored water (both fizzy and not), and ginger ale for options.

There are some weird distribution arrangements. Most Coke fountain machines around here dispense Dr Pepper now, including most Freestyle machines. However, our Dr Pepper in bottles/cans is distributed by our regional Pepsi bottler.

 

[Diznygrl]

There's only one fast food place I've been to that has one, a Burger King attached to a gas station of all places.

I think it's neat, but something that could be improved for many of the reasons mentioned (only one machine, residual flavors, not enough flavoring, etc.). I also end up taking too much time looking at all the flavors trying to decide what kind of unique combo I'd like to make, which is avoided when you have just a regular machine with the standard options. BUT I love that I can make my own Mezzo Mix (orange Coke like at Epcot) and Lime Coke (regular, not diet), since you can't buy it in the store anymore for some reason.

 

[dotfurio]

I like them - they often have options that traditional soda dispensers don't. I also like that I can search by low-cal or caffiene free. I haven't tried any of the added flavors.

 

[GusGus77]

We love raspberry coke from them.

Pepsi actually makes one as well. Not as many options and they are not as widely available.

 

[bcla]

Apparently this new breed of soda dispenser is considerably different than the old style. It uses some sort of cartridge system rather than having to handle hoses and fittings.

I had relatives who owned a restaurant in the 80s, and back then fountain drink syrup came in refillable metal canisters. They also had to be hooked up by a qualified technician. They got angry when the Coke guy sprayed syrup all over the kitchen and switched to the Pepsi distributor (the only lemon-lime they had was Bubble Up). I guess later syrup came in small boxes that are reasonably easy to hook up. I've seen cafeteria staff replace an empty box of syrup before.

It looks like they also have less flashy looking machines that are meant to be used by restaurant staff.

 

[Pkltm]

There are pretty popular here, movie theatre, Wendy's, my favourite pizza place! Subway has the Pepsi version which is no where near as good.

We are big fans, as cherry coke is scarce in our area.

 

[Christine]

Seems we have them everywhere!! They are fine; I'm happy to be able to get Ginger Ale where most places you could never get it. However, I don't think the quality/concentration of the sodas tastes that good. That could have to do with how each establishment sets their machine, but I just find them to not taste as good as regular soda machines.

 

[dclpluto]

Wendy's have them and some people take a long time to use it. They don't know what they want to get.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I see these machines all over now, including dining halls on college campuses. I like them. IMO, it's always better to have more choices.