After almost eight years in this industry, very little wows me when it comes to equipment. I appreciate and respect the engineering and science behind the slight tweaks that make one machine more efficient or another more durable. But it's been some time since I saw a piece of equipment and thought to myself, "This one is a game changer."
Or it had been until last week when I finally had an opportunity to play with Coca-Cola's Freestyle.
Coca-Cola is testing the self-service dispenser this summer in Orange County, California and in Atlanta. It just so happens that a Willy's Mexicana Grill up Georgia 400 from our Atlanta offices has one of the machines.
It's one thing to read a press release about an innovation or even see it displayed at a tradeshow. It's quite another to have a tactile experience. That's what I experienced at Willy's--an ephiphany, a fountain drink that tasted as crisp and vibrant as a bottled soda.
Flavor aside, the machine is just plain cool. It operates on the same Windows CE system used in smart phones. Its body is inspired by Italian auto design and its touchscreen akin to something you might find on iPhone. The Freestyle I used is capable of creating 90 unique drinks from 20 SKUs, yet its supplies require 40 percent less storage. More importantly, the Willy's I visited has seen beverage business increase in the double digits since the machine appeared.
What really has me excited though is Freestyle's potential at the drive-thru. Coke theorizes this machine might be the push the industry needs to move to touchscreen ordering at the loop. Can you imagine pulling into your local drive-thru and customizing not only your meal, but also your beverage. I suggest the Orange Creamsicle Coke when the time comes.
Or it had been until last week when I finally had an opportunity to play with Coca-Cola's Freestyle.
Coca-Cola is testing the self-service dispenser this summer in Orange County, California and in Atlanta. It just so happens that a Willy's Mexicana Grill up Georgia 400 from our Atlanta offices has one of the machines.It's one thing to read a press release about an innovation or even see it displayed at a tradeshow. It's quite another to have a tactile experience. That's what I experienced at Willy's--an ephiphany, a fountain drink that tasted as crisp and vibrant as a bottled soda.
Flavor aside, the machine is just plain cool. It operates on the same Windows CE system used in smart phones. Its body is inspired by Italian auto design and its touchscreen akin to something you might find on iPhone. The Freestyle I used is capable of creating 90 unique drinks from 20 SKUs, yet its supplies require 40 percent less storage. More importantly, the Willy's I visited has seen beverage business increase in the double digits since the machine appeared.
What really has me excited though is Freestyle's potential at the drive-thru. Coke theorizes this machine might be the push the industry needs to move to touchscreen ordering at the loop. Can you imagine pulling into your local drive-thru and customizing not only your meal, but also your beverage. I suggest the Orange Creamsicle Coke when the time comes.
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