The Coca-Cola Company has unveiled its latest Freestyle drinks dispenser, which includes nearly 200 beverage options and Bluetooth technology.
Called the Freestyle 9100, the machine will be available as of next year in the US and features a 24-inch, high-definition touchscreen, and allows consumers to connect to the Freestyle mobile app when they enter an outlet with a machine and cue up their favourite beverage.
A new operating system includes a revamped touchscreen menu designed to make it easier and faster for users to find the beverages they want.
In addition to the next-generation machine, Coca-Cola aims to push the new Freestyle operating system to all dispensers in the market to deliver new benefits to existing customers, including access to a diagnostics dashboard with real-time drink inventory levels.
More than 50,000 Coca-Cola Freestyle units pour 14 million drinks per day in restaurants, cinemas, convenience stores, amusement parks and other locations in the US and a handful of other countries. The company said beverage servings are up 8% in Freestyle outlets, and calories-per-serving in these locations are down nearly 10%.
Chris Hellmann, vice president general manager of Coca-Cola Freestyle, said: “Choice and customisation are not fads – they’re here to stay. So we’re focused on making sure the Coca-Cola Freestyle platform stays current and contemporary and that we continue to offer more beverages people want.
“We’ve built features into this dispenser that are not only contemporary for today. We’ve also future-proofed the platform with not-yet-activated features like audio capability, optical sensors and a new equipment option that will eventually support the addition of drink categories not available on Freestyle today, such as teas, cold coffees and new varieties of juices.”
He added: “Our brands are now presented in a way that’s simple for consumers to navigate and find their favourite choice or try something new. We want consumers to have a fun, contemporary experience, whether they’re on the go and want a drink with a meal, or have a few moments to explore something new.”
Freestyle also lets restaurants pair menu items with new or existing drinks. Firehouse Subs recommends Cherry Coke with its Hook and Ladder turkey sandwich, and Burger King recently promoted the launch of its new crispy spicy chicken sandwich with the custom-made Sprite Lime Burst.
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