Has anyone seen those new soft drink dispensers at some Wendy's? Bizarre!

[Jeafl]

They are very cool, but also very irritating.

If you haven't seen them, they have 106 choices and use a touch screen. You hit the basic product first, like Coke, Sprite, Barq's, Dasani water, Volt, Hi-C, etc. Then another screen comes up with a million (ok, exagggeration) varieties of that particular product. For example if you hit "Coke", another screen comes up with regular coke, Lime Coke, Raspberry Coke, Strawberry Coke, Vanilla Coke, Lemon Coke, Orange Coke etc. You can also hit Diet Coke and come up with all the flavors for that as well.

The problem is, there is only one machine, and by the time each customer scrolls through 106 choices, the line is really backed up. We sat at a table near the machine yesterday and some poor senior citizens in particular had a really hard time figuring out how to work it. My son got up to assist several people because it got so bad. Once you figure out what you want, you just put your cup underneath and push a button, so that part goes fast. It's the decision process for first-timers that seems to be a problem.

I think it is an awesome concept, but they need to figure out a way to make the line move a little faster or they are going to have a major problem.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I haven't been to Wendy's in years, but they put in soda machines like that at the AMC at Downtown Disney a while ago. There are several of them, though, and I haven't seen huge traffic jams. I don't drink soda, but they look really cool! If they had a cream soda option, I might be tempted.

 

[Planogirl]

If I can get Vanilla Coke Zero then I'm game for this. I hope that they add more machines though.

 

[powellrj]

I don't drink soda anymore, but I may just have to go in for the fun factor alone!

 

[lovemygoofy]

We have one of these at Firehouse subs and I saw a little blib on the local news about a popeyes having one. Apparently you can make like 100,000 combinations. All I know is that it takes forever and a day to get to your soda but at least my food is usually ready by the time I have my soda.

It's really neat but because I hate to stand in the lines, it does make me not get refills.

 

[sissy_ib]

Wow. I may have to go to Wendy's after work today and see if they have that machine here lol.

 

[21hearts]

Our Wendy's isn't open yet (they had a fire a couple of weeks ago) but when they do open I'll have to see if they have this machine. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[FredinFL]

We have a small amusement park that had these long, rubber dispensers for mustard, ketchup and (the one that makes me giggle everytime because I'm twelve) mayonnaise. They are postively pornographic, and warm to the touch from the sun.

 

[Scurvy]

I love Coke Freestyle machines! Their Facebook page has a list of locations where you can find them. No place near me has them yet, so I have only gotten to use them at Universal and around Atlanta. The places I've seen them have attendants to try to keep the line moving. I think it would really help to speed the process up if they would post a list of the possible combinations somewhere before you get to the machines so you can have some idea of what you want before it's your turn to get your drink.

My favorite combination is Rasperry Minute Maid lemonade with raspberry sprite and vanilla Barq's rootbeer is a close second. The grape sprite is not that wonderful. My son loves the orange coke and my husband likes the orange sprite.

 

[miralys]

Very cool! I would definitely try one out if one came to our area, just to see how it works.

 

[marcemc]

We have seen that coke machine in Five Guys and a burger, my boys think it's super cool.

 

[JEmaryland]

Can't wait until we get a Freestyle machine in my area! I've been looking forward to it for 2 years!

 

[Jeafl]

I love Coke Freestyle machines! Their Facebook page has a list of locations where you can find them. No place near me has them yet, so I have only gotten to use them at Universal and around Atlanta. The places I've seen them have attendants to try to keep the line moving. I think it would really help to speed the process up if they would post a list of the possible combinations somewhere before you get to the machines so you can have some idea of what you want before it's your turn to get your drink.

My favorite combination is Rasperry Minute Maid lemonade with raspberry sprite and vanilla Barq's rootbeer is a close second. The grape sprite is not that wonderful. My son loves the orange coke and my husband likes the orange sprite.

See that's the thing, although there are technically 106 choices, you can combine as many as you want so really the choices are limitless. Some of the kids there were playing with the machine and mixing up 5-10 different drinks to make "concoctions" (their word!). I can see how it would be a blast for the kids, not so much for the people waiting in line.

Your Raspberry lemonade/raspberry sprite combo sounds awesome! I am going to try that next time.

 

[tammy]

I saw one at The Burger Joint. I am a BIG soda drinker but found myself a little intimated by that machine. It did look cool. Maybe I'll give it a try this weekend...

 

[Poohforyou]

I've never heard of these but went on the freestyle site to see where one is and the closest is at a hospital 40 miles from here. I thought that was funny.

 

[LuvOrlando]

We have a Wendy's nearby, I will go looking for it, sounds like fun

 

[mytripsandraces]

Universal Studios has at least one Freestyle machine. I loved the possibility of combining the incredible flavors offered, but ended up with a Mr. Pibb, just because I can't get it easily in NYC.

 

[Disfan1]

I'm allergic to strawberries (even the artificial flovoring) so I can't use those because everything comes out of the same nozzle. I wish I could find a strawberry-free one - I would love to try some of those combinations!

 

[Jeafl]

I'm allergic to strawberries (even the artificial flovoring) so I can't use those because everything comes out of the same nozzle. I wish I could find a strawberry-free one - I would love to try some of those combinations!

I've never even thought about allergies--that's a really good point!

 

[BunsenH]

Can you get a Beverly??