Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Adding Some New Soda Options

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Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 11-08-2011, 02:44 PM:

Currently, our concession stand has Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Cherry Coke, and Pink Lemonade. We're looking at adding a 6th flavor, and our choices from vending are Coke Zero, Fanta Orange, or Barq's Rootbeer.

Considering our demographic is primarily college students and seniors, which one would sell the best? My heart says root beer.

AJG

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 11-08-2011, 03:59 PM:

In my opinion the root beer would be a good choice.

I don't know how "regional" this sort of thing is, but this what I sell here in order of popularity: Pepsi, Root Beer, 7-Up, Diet Pepsi, Orange Crush.

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 11-08-2011, 04:06 PM:

Barq's is by far the best choice of the three. We pour about 12 different flavors and most of them - including Coke Zero and Fanta Orange - account for less than 10% of our sales combined.

One thing you might consider is Dr. Pepper. Coke has licensed Dr. Pepper and is starting to allow locations to pour it instead of Pibb. Dr. Pepper is a flavor that will actually add soda sales.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-08-2011, 04:38 PM:

Just a question... I was once told that once you put root beer through a line it always has to be root beer from then, on. If you try to put anything else through that line it will end up tasting like root beer.

Is that true?

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 11-08-2011, 04:47 PM:

Randy, I believe that is correct. Root Beer is one of what they call 'pungent' flavors. You could put something like Pibb through the same line, but you wouldn't want to put Sprite or something else with a mild flavor.

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 11-08-2011, 05:16 PM:

Most of the tanks that I get root beer in have a sticker on them that says "Root beer only".

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-08-2011, 05:44 PM:

I would be torn between root beer and orange.

We get the occasional request for root beer, but not too often. And we sell a buttload of Sunkist Orange, especially in the summer. One of our concession kids came up with a drink that includes part orange, part 7-Up and a splash of fruit punch -- it's actually quite popular.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-08-2011, 05:48 PM:

..which is commonly known as a "Suicide" when you mix all flavors together.

The kids at Mike's theatre are making "Virgin Drinks" - non-alcoholic versions of favorite party drinks.

Put an "A&W" root beer tap in that place and see what happens...

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 11-08-2011, 07:03 PM:

I wish I could get A&W or Mug: Barq's has unneeded caffeine.

According to the campus' vending service though, those three were our only options.

If I own my own place someday, and I'd love to, we'd be serving Sioux City Sarsaparilla.

AJG

Posted by Jake Spell (Member # 5294) on 11-08-2011, 07:30 PM:

Given the three Id pick root beer, we had both and IIRC the root beer sold twice as fast as orange soda, although neither were big sellers.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-08-2011, 08:28 PM:

Well, I vote for root beer first and orange second.

I'm taking medication that doesn't mix with caffeine. One large cup of Coke would put me through the roof. Even a cup of decaf coffee can give me a hell of a buzz. (Even if it's decaf, there's still like 2% of the caffeine left because they can't get 100% of it out without making the coffee taste like ass.)

So... If the root beer has no caffeine, that's what I drink when I have soda. If the root beer has caffeine, I'll drink orange soda.

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 11-08-2011, 10:23 PM:

As Dr Pepper is not available to you, go with the root beer.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-09-2011, 03:22 AM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
which is commonly known as a "Suicide" when you mix all flavors together

Well at our place, you would need to add lemonade, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr Pepper and Mountain Dew to make it a Suicide.

Anyway Aaron, it looks like you definitely have part of your answer: Stay away from Coke Zero. [Big Grin]

Posted by Melanie Loggins (Member # 6454) on 11-09-2011, 08:19 AM:

I don't know how many kids you get, but I will add this: Fanta does not have caffeine. Barq's root beer does. (Unless you're in Utah.) It's the only caffeinated root beer. We have a lot of parents who offer their kids Sprite or Fanta and are disappointed when I tell them about the root beer.

Posted by Manny Montes (Member # 5639) on 11-09-2011, 09:35 AM:

Coming from the south, I sell far more orange soda than root beer. I added both recently and had a momentary surge in sales of root beer, but it died out pretty quickly, but orange soda is continually selling.

Unfortunately that line is stuck as root beer unless I want to replace the entire line.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-09-2011, 11:26 AM:

I've worked places that sold root beer in bottles only to avoid the line issue (and the fact that it din't sell enough to necessitate adding it to the tower). Though another place I helped out at occasionally hooked up root beer to one tower only, again since it didn't sell as much.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-09-2011, 12:55 PM:

..can switch dists. for Pepsi .. and get "DAD's" root beer if the caffiene thing is an issue.

Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 11-09-2011, 01:25 PM:

Could you not just change out the length of hose for the root beer if you wanted to serve something else? Seems like a no brainer, but then again my syrup lines are only 5-8 feet long.

Posted by Richard C. Wolfe (Member # 431) on 11-09-2011, 01:39 PM:

Do any of you sell MOXIE?

Myself as well as half of my staff drink Moxie, but we don't sell it. I've never seen it available for fountain service. The beer and soda store directly behind my theatre sells it in cans. Another store about 25 miles from here sells it in glass bottles. As with most soda, it tastes best when from a glass bottle. I have a tenant in my building that goes to that store about once a month and picks up a case in glass bottles for me.

We would have to pour from the cans or bottles if we were to sell it, but I'm not sure how well it would go over as most people are unfamiliar with the drink. Moxie is a drink people either LOVE or HATE. There seems to be no in between.

Of course, pouring it from a can or bottle requires no investment in equipment and wouldn't have to tie up money in a lot of inventory that would be wasted if in didn't sell, so maybe I should just give it a try, but I thought maybe someone here had done it already and could give some input as to how it went over.

I've always thought that it could be a great promotion for us. Our slogan would be: "Get you Moxie at the Roxy".

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-09-2011, 02:20 PM:

quote: Barry Floyd
Could you not just change out the length of hose for the root beer if you wanted to serve something else? Seems like a no brainer, but then again my syrup lines are only 5-8 feet long.

Most places have a separate room altogether for box storage, which is much further than 5-8 feet.

Posted by Jake Spell (Member # 5294) on 11-09-2011, 05:08 PM:

Yup, and some places like us have two separate areas(concession stand and bar) so we have over 50 feet of syrup lines. In fact the Coke tech said that some cassino in Vegas had so much syrup lines that it took 25 gallons just to fill the lines, and thats per line...

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 11-09-2011, 05:48 PM:

We're a Collage theatre and we sell 5x as much Fanta as we do Rootbeer. You being close to Notre Dame and all I'd go with the Fanta, but maybe the Southbend kids arn't quite like the Tempe ones [Smile]

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 11-09-2011, 06:25 PM:

quote: Jake Spell
In fact the Coke tech said that some cassino in Vegas had so much syrup lines that it took 25 gallons just to fill the lines, and thats per line..

You'll excuse me if I express extreme skepticism about this claim. The friction of the syrup against a hose of that length, let alone the sheer weight of the syrup (roughly 250 lbs if it was plain water, so you can probably triple that for syrup), would require what kind of a pressure tank to move it through the hose.

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 11-09-2011, 06:54 PM:

quote: Kurt Zupin
We're a Collage theatre and we sell 5x as much Fanta as we do Rootbeer. You being close to Notre Dame and all I'd go with the Fanta, but maybe the Southbend kids arn't quite like the Tempe ones

Close? I work for Notre Dame! [Smile]

I didn't realize the fact that once the line is root beer, it will always be that.

I'm still debating, and I might even open it up to student opinion as well as make some sort of fun contest out of it.

This thread has been most informative!

AJG

Posted by John Hegel (Member # 628) on 11-09-2011, 07:48 PM:

I work in a small(ish) casino and our long runs hold at least 10 gallons so I can see a bigger property easily holding 25 gallons plus. Our liquor lines that are of a much smaller diameter hold about 2 gallons.

Posted by Tom Petrov (Member # 1534) on 11-09-2011, 11:19 PM:

quote: Aaron Garman
Coke Zero, Fanta Orange, or Barq's Rootbeer.

I would go for Fanta Orange, Coke Zero will just give Coke/Diet Coke drinkers an alternative

Any chance of getting Mr Pibb? I have only seen it once at theatre in NC.

Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 11-10-2011, 03:46 AM:

What kind of tubing are we talking about that retains the root beer flavor? We had stainless steel lines for years and I never had a problem changing flavors on a root beer line. I'd pump a bleach/water mix through the line until it ran clear and then let it sit in the line for about an hour then pump hot water to flush it out. Hook up the new flavor and go. No root beer or bleach taste. We now have the plastic tubing and I have not yet had to change flavors on a root beer line. So I don't know if this will work with the plastic tubing.

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 11-14-2011, 02:28 PM:

What about getting these coke freestyle machines?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZd-Rj-rdLE

I have used them at 5 Guys. Much preferable to the old ones.

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 11-14-2011, 02:42 PM:

100 flavours? Kids here take long enough to decide between 5 flavours; I don't need the line to be that much longer.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-14-2011, 06:32 PM:

You DO have self service, don't you? You get paid for the cup, not the drink! (McDonalds/Burger King) Louis

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-14-2011, 08:27 PM:

Self-service for movie theatres? That's convenience-store stuff. If I'm going to pay cinema prices for a soda, they should pour it for me.

Posted by Tom Petrov (Member # 1534) on 11-14-2011, 10:36 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
they should pour it for me.

I don't agree. I was at Regal the other night, I asked for extra icem, the guy put like two extra cubes. If I could do it myself, I would get exactly the amount I want. I like more than 1/2 full of ice. If I could do it myself all the better.

Also, no need to wait in lines for refills for pop. I paid $6 for the pop BTW.

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 11-14-2011, 10:59 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
Self-service for movie theatres? That's convenience-store stuff. If I'm going to pay cinema prices for a soda, they should pour it for me.

Agreed. Self-service leads to less concessionists, less jobs, less of a going out on the town experience.

AJG

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-15-2011, 08:05 AM:

Yes, but profits AND SALES increase. That is why it is a "creeping trend." Highly popular where it has been tried. Louis

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-15-2011, 11:36 AM:

I will admit Tom has a point about the ice.

All right then....they should pour it for me, AND there should be a refill station where I could add ice if I want. Of course this scenario would be too expensive so it would probably never happen.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-15-2011, 01:14 PM:

Or Tom could just say "I'm sorry but I wanted much more ice than that. Could you add more, please?"

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 11-15-2011, 01:24 PM:

What's the big deal with the ice? I look on ice as a scam to give you less soda pop in the glass. (And no, I don't have ice here. The drinks come out of the machine plenty cold enough, plus I don't have to clean up a bunch of half-melted and damned slippery ice cubes on the auditorium floor.)

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-15-2011, 01:40 PM:

1) Americans like their drinks quite cold for whatever reason
2) It may be "plenty cold" when you dispense it but by the time they get into the auditorium and especially when the movie starts, it'll be quite a bit warmer.

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 11-15-2011, 04:31 PM:

The freestyle machine will definitely increase soda sales.You sell the cup.

You can place the machine a few feet from the counter straddling both lines and facing the concession stand. Or you can place it sideways. between the lines.

I dont understand how they maintain flavor purity since the spigot is common for all flavors.

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 11-15-2011, 04:36 PM:

I have actually heard anecdotal accounts that self-serve sodas with free refills actually wind up boosting soda sales without drastically changing syrup usage.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-15-2011, 04:38 PM:

quote: Pravin Ratnam
I dont understand how they maintain flavor purity since the spigot is common for all flavors.

The answer is that they don't. It's pretty common to have a switch for running either tap water or carbonated water through the Sprite/7-Up nozzle but it's also common for those to end up with your soda water tasting slightly like Sprite.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-15-2011, 05:11 PM:

quote: Frank Cox
I look on ice as a scam to give you less soda pop in the glass. (And no, I don't have ice here. The drinks come out of the machine plenty cold enough, plus I don't have to clean up a bunch of half-melted and damned slippery ice cubes on the auditorium floor.)

Going to have to disagree there. A paper cup is NOT a good device for keeping a drink cold. It'll be too warm within about 3 minutes of coming out the spigot.

We instruct our staff to fill the cup about half full with ice. I don't agree it's a scam to give the customer less soda -- to me, if we give them a drink that's tasty until the cup is empty, we've given good value.

For myself, I like to get a fairly large size (32 or so) and fill it about 3/4 full of ice. That way I'll still have a drink with ice in it all the way through the movie. With the "normal" amount of ice most places put in, it will be ice-free within about 20 minutes.

Coca Cola cups often have a small graphic on the side which instructs the pourer how much ice to put in.

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 11-15-2011, 05:53 PM:

I like about 1/3 ice: keeps my soda cold and makes for a nice snack after I devour my popcorn.

AJG

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-15-2011, 06:16 PM:

I like to fill the cup about 1/4 full, add ice then top the cup off. That way you temper some of the carbonated soda before filling the cup and reduce the amount of fizz-over that occurs when you put the ice in first.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-15-2011, 09:05 PM:

Ever notice the drink is better if he ice is added LAST? Louis

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-16-2011, 02:57 AM:

Nope. The drink is better when poured into ice. I have also found 2/3 cup of ice is ideal.

quote: Chris Slycord
Or Tom could just say "I'm sorry but I wanted much more ice than that. Could you add more, please?"

It won't taste as good if done that way. I forget the exact scientific explanation, but it has something to do with the carbonation escaping due to the lack of ice.

People who disagree I have found typically prefer their drinks a bit below spec in the carbonation department. That's not to say they are wrong if that is what does it for them, but it isn't the way the drink was designed.

Regardless the biggest affect on taste (besides brixing of course) is the ice itself! As someone who keeps Coke products on tap at home (BIBs), I can assure everyone that ice from your freezer absolutely destroys the taste as compared to the clear ice from professional ice makers where the ice is dropped into a bin instead of a freezer.

Another thing that affects the taste is the cup. Plastic cups suck. Styrofoam cups are the best with wax coming in second.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-16-2011, 11:02 AM:

quote: Brad Miller
It won't taste as good if done that way. I forget the exact scientific explanation, but it has something to do with the carbonation escaping due to the lack of ice.

Fine, then he could simply ask to have a new one poured with the tons o' ice he prefers. [Wink]

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-16-2011, 11:59 AM:

I usually get a soda in the morning during work, so today I tried it Louis's way: Filled the cup about half full of pop, then put my usual quanity of ice in, then topped it off.

I can't say I really noticed a difference in the taste, but the ice seems to be lasting longer this way. I can see where pouring the drink onto the ice melt more ice than placing the soda on top of the ice.

The reason homemade ice ruins the taste of soda is: The ice is too cold. Since the air in a commercial icemaker's bin isn't refrigerated, the ice is constantly slowly melting, so it's closer to the temperature of the soda. Super-cold ice from a home freezer causes the soda to fizz wildly, robbing it of carbonation, and the relatively warm soda melts a lot of ice, increasing the dilution.

Yet another reason "home theatre" isn't as good as the real thing. [Smile]

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-16-2011, 09:05 PM:

Also, try getting the water and "mix" to a constant temperature before mixing (bnb in wlk in refrigerator with in line water coil for the H2O.)

You will get a perfect mix everytime and reduce foaming. Louis

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-16-2011, 10:15 PM:

quote:
Ever notice the drink is better if the ice is added LAST?

Tried it tonight and it does work - drink tastes better and the "rocks" haven't melted away as quickly..

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 11-16-2011, 10:27 PM:

I was told way back when I was trained that it was actually Coke that recommended filling the cup 1/3-1/2 full of ice for the best drink. If that is true its certainly an argument against the 'scam them out of soda' argument; from coke's perspective the more soda per cup the more syrup they sell.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-16-2011, 10:40 PM:

quote: Brad Miller
It won't taste as good if done that way. I forget the exact scientific explanation, but it has something to do with the carbonation escaping due to the lack of ice.

It is my understanding that cold water can not hold as much dissolved CO2 as warmer water can. When water is suddenly cooled, it gives up some of the dissolved CO2.

That's why soda fizzes up when you add ice. That's why I pour in some soda, add ice then fill the cup to the top.

That's probably the reason you notice a difference in taste. Dissolved CO2 makes the soda taste different. Flat soda tastes icky because of the lack of carbonation.

Regulating or altering the amount of carbonation also alters the taste. That's what I think you are noticing.

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 11-17-2011, 05:25 PM:

Are fountain mixtures more carbonated than cans to offset the eventually lost fizz?

Posted by Michael Putlack (Member # 6523) on 11-19-2011, 08:38 PM:

Before the Red Vic in SF closed they had a fountain with Santa Cruz soda. It was the best damn soda I'd ever had.

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 02-10-2012, 01:46 PM:

A sandwich shop I was at today has one of the Coke Freestyle machines. The owner was changing a flavor and I asked about the machine.

The machine uses flavor cartridges instead of the bag-in-a-box system. Each cartridge, a little larger than the size of a VHS tape, has very VERY concentrated flavor inside. The system was developed by the inventor of the Segway. Each cartridge holds the same amount of flavor as a standard bag-in-a-box. All of the cartridges are housed on the lower half of the machine.

The sweetener system is stored away from the machine. It has standard and non-sugar sweeteners...the CO2 tank is outside the building.

The machine is internet connected directly to Coca Cola so they can track flavor usage and automatically order product.

A very slick machine but the serving line really gets hung up when someone is trying to figure out how to use the thing.