Free refills?

[Philagoofy]

When you eat at a fast food/pizza place, the type which gives you a cup so that you can get your own soft drink and there's no sign stating whether or not there are free refills, do you assume they are free and help yourself to more or do you go back to the counter to ask about or pay for another, considering you want more?

If it states free refills, do you buy the smallest (least expensive) or do you buy the size you normally would if other than the smallest?

 

[Kimberly815]

If I am given a cup and get the soft drink myself, then I assume that it is free refills (unless otherwise noted by a sign or something).

I do still buy the size I plan on drinking even if it states free refills, not the smallest size available. I just don't worry about gulping it all down if needed!

 

[pyrxtc]

I assume it is free refills and get a small anyways since that's what I would usually get. The only large size I get on anything out like that is McDonald's for their Sweet tea.

 

[mikehn]

I help myself to a refill, unless there is a sign posted otherwise. Having said that, I rarely get refills. A 16oz soda is plenty for me.

 

[AprilShowers]

If I have to get my own drink then I assume free refills and almost always get one on the way out. I still order the medium that I would have gotten anyway. Only because it's so ingrained in me that I forget to order a small and save myself some money!!

This could open another discussion about having to wait on yourself - purportedly to keep prices down - but I only see prices going up!!

 

[sbell111]

Generally, if I have to choose a size, I assume that there are no free refills.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I assume it's free refills if you can get the soda yourself. Yes, I get the smallest size. What's the point of paying more money for a bigger cup if you can just refill a smaller one for less? I guess if it's a sit down restaurant I would read the menu first to see, or ask the server.

We ate at a nice restaurant on vacation last weekend and DH and I both had a soda. We placed the glass on the end of the table and the server walked by several times. He finally came over and said, if you want another drink it's not free refills. Even the shadiest restaurants give refills! And I was ticked when I got the bill and it said $2.25 for each drink. The menu didn't say no free refills (nor did it give a price), so shame on me for assuming. When we asked for some water instead, they brought out small clear plastic solo cups. Talk about cheap. I told DH to take a good look around.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

I refill unless it says not to. They only time I wont is if it is like walmart where they have subway or something lke that and leave to go shopping.

 

[KAMLEM]

I'm surprised by all these answers assuming that refills are free. I always assume that it's NOT free refills if they offer different sizes. Why would they have different sizes if refills were free? Maybe it's me, but I think it's pretty obvious that refills at places like McDonalds are NOT free.

 

[ChrizJen]

I assume free refills on serve-yourself drinks (unless otherwise stated).
I also do order a smaller size. But I generally only fill it once while I'm there and then once more on the way out the door.

 

[ChrizJen]

I'm surprised by all these answers assuming that refills are free. I always assume that it's NOT free refills if they offer different sizes. Why would they have different sizes if refills were free? Maybe it's me, but I think it's pretty obvious that refills at places like McDonalds are NOT free.

Refills are always free at all of the fast food places around here with serve-yourself drink stations. And I assume that the reason they have different sizes is because people also order drinks from the drive through and for carryout and would like to have a larger size.

 

[Youarehere]

I'm surprised by all these answers assuming that refills are free. I always assume that it's NOT free refills if they offer different sizes. Why would they have different sizes if refills were free? Maybe it's me, but I think it's pretty obvious that refills at places like McDonalds are NOT free.

They offer different sizes because not everyone eats inside the restaurant and not everyone wants to bother with refills.

I think it is pretty obvious that refills are free.

 

[Piecey]

I'm surprised by all these answers assuming that refills are free. I always assume that it's NOT free refills if they offer different sizes. Why would they have different sizes if refills were free? Maybe it's me, but I think it's pretty obvious that refills at places like McDonalds are NOT free.

The only FF restaurant I have ever been to that doesn't offer FREE unlimited refills is Tim Hortons and I was shocked when the lady told me I'd have to buy a new cup.

Everywhere around here has free refills... even the stores in the mall, though they limit refills to 2.

 

[powellrj]

Most places here offer free refills except for convenience stores and grocery stores.

I will sometimes get the largest size if they offer free refills because I like to have a tea in the car with me while I work. If I am just eating there I will get the normal size that usually come with a meal.

Unless I know they have really good tea, anymore I just get water. I don't drink soda and I hate fountain tea, so when in doubt, its water.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

I'm surprised by all these answers assuming that refills are free. I always assume that it's NOT free refills if they offer different sizes. Why would they have different sizes if refills were free? Maybe it's me, but I think it's pretty obvious that refills at places like McDonalds are NOT free.

I used to work at McDonalds while in HS and they are in fact free. Even if they do not have the refill station aval. to customers, the employee at the counter is to refill it behind the counter. They only thing they are not suppose to do is touch your lid. They are trained to ask you to remove it as to not cross contaminate

 

[Youarehere]

I used to work at McDonalds while in HS and they are in fact free. Even if they do not have the refill station aval. to customers, the employee at the counter is to refill it behind the counter. They only thing they are not suppose to do is touch your lid. They are trained to ask you to remove it as to not cross contaminate

Thread killer!

 

[Jennasis]

Yep. EVERY FF joint in NC is free with the refills. Even the ones without a drink styation (Wendy's, Chik-Fil-A). You bring your cup back to the counter and they will refill your cup FOR you for free.

The thing that amused me most was that at sit down restaurants in NC, most locals will ask for a "to-go" cup of their beverage and will receive a free plastic cup of Coke oir whatever to take home!

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

Thread killer!

What? Why?

 

[Ohiodislover]

Yep. EVERY FF joint in NC is free with the refills. Even the ones without a drink styation (Wendy's, Chik-Fil-A). You bring your cup back to the counter and they will refill your cup FOR you for free.

The thing that amused me most was that at sit down restaurants in NC, most locals will ask for a "to-go" cup of their beverage and will receive a free plastic cup of Coke oir whatever to take home!

We do this frequentlyNever used to but at the price they charge for a drink-You betcha I ask for a cup to go.

To the OP---I figure they are free refills, when self serve

 

[Sparx]

if i fill my own drink, i assume free refills.
i also buy the normal size cup i would (usually a medium)