The Coca-Cola company uses pliers to squeeze us, again

[mejeep]

For many years, there was a Mexican Standoff among Coke, Pepsi and Cadbury/Schwepps to see who would break the $1.99 price for a 2 gallon soda at the supermarket. (CVS, delis and convenience stores passed that mark long ago, particularly if refrigerated

Comments

[ysabetwordsmith]

I'm sad to see the robot machines appearing in so many places. I can push one button to dispense a beverage. I can't use a touch-screen effectively because they often malfunction. It's not an issue at the moment because I customarily travel with someone else who can use them, but I imagine a lot of other folks are getting shut out -- such as everyone who can't read or use computers. That's a lot.

[porsupah]

I have to wonder how much longer Coca-Cola and Pepsi will even be around, TBH, when own brands and lesser labels are every bit as good. I could pay £1.50 for a 2l of Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi, or, I could go with any of the supermarkets' own brands at around 50p. Or, Tesco still offers their bargain basement version for around 20p, which admittedly does taste cheaper, but chilled, I don't mind at all. ^_^

(On the other paw, I'll pay for good coffee. =:9 Currently got three wonderful single estates in the kitchen =:)

[tjcoyote]

For 100 sodas, I'd guess 20 tanks. 10 tanks of the base sodas (Coke, Diet Coke, etc.), then 10 tanks of the flavors (lemon, lime, cherry, etc.)
Of course it could be 10x10, 11x9, 12x8, etc. but you get the idea.

The tanks are probably bag-in-box; that's a popular way to distribute liquids.

[scritchwuff]

I've actually seen the inside of one of those machines. They use proprietary syrup cartridges, and there are 20-30 or so of them. From what I understand, the restaurant owner has to enter a subscription agreement with whatever Coke distributor they're dealing with. You can't just go to the restaurant supply dealer and get standard bulk syrup/co2 supplies like you would for a "regular" soda fountain.

[sabotlours]

$2 for a 2L?!? Yikes. That's when tap water starts to sound mighty refreshing.

[raqoon]