Food and Drink Fast food restaurants dilluting soda?

aturnis · 08-15-2011, 07:28 PM

So it seems like for the last year or so, every time I go to a fast food drive thru, my soda tastes less and less like what I ordered.

At first, I was called crazy when I mentioned it to family/friends/co-workers. Then finally, after it what seems like the next "kickback" in syrup, a few of them reluctantly agreed with me.

It seems like they are trying to stretch a bag of syrup for all it is worth. Is the economy that bad to where I can't get a decent soda anymore? Do they REALLY need to squeeze one or two more drinks out of that bag?

I have since been forced to switch my preferred fast food beverage to teas, hi-c's or whatever else they couldn't possibly screw up.

So has anyone else noticed this tightening of the fast food industries belt?

Demonpenz · 08-15-2011, 07:30 PM

Mcdonalds always makes sure their coke machines are working well, They have 2 brand names to make sure they keep their word and make sure you are dead by 40

Hog's Gone Fishin · 08-15-2011, 07:31 PM

Does it taste like boar semen because my business has really been expanding and I have no idea why these fast food chains would be placing orders.

**Baby Lee** · 08-15-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aturnis

So it seems like for the last year or so, every time I go to a fast food drive thru, my soda tastes less and less like what I ordered.

At first, I was called crazy when I mentioned it to family/friends/co-workers. Then finally, after it what seems like the next "kickback" in syrup, a few of them reluctantly agreed with me.

It seems like they are trying to stretch a bag of syrup for all it is worth. Is the economy that bad to where I can't get a decent soda anymore? Do they REALLY need to squeeze one or two more drinks out of that bag?

I have since been forced to switch my preferred fast food beverage to teas, hi-c's or whatever else they couldn't possibly screw up.

So has anyone else noticed this tightening of the fast food industries belt?

Soda prices have spiked more than anything I've seen outside deli meats.

Coca Cola cites commodity and distribution cost spikes.

**DaFace** · 08-15-2011, 07:36 PM

I'd be pretty skeptical, though I don't really have any idea. Fast food sodas cost almost nothing. It seems to me there are far more effective ways of saving a few pennies.

(And I personally haven't noticed the phenomenon, myself.)

Deberg_1990 · 08-15-2011, 07:37 PM

Taco Bell fan, what's in the mystery meat?

listopencil · 08-15-2011, 07:38 PM

They shouldn't. Soda at a fast food place has the highest profit margin of anything on the menu. That's why places like McDonald's are offering specials like "any size for a dollar". It's incredibly cheap. I'd say it's more likely that fast food soda dispensers aren't maintained as they should be.

They have to be "brixed", controlling the ratio of carbonated water to syrup. The nozzles and assemblies have to be cleaned out, soaking is best. The entire supply line post mixing has to be kept cold as well. Temperature has a huge effect on flavor.

This has to be done on a regular basis. Unfortunately for the consumers, fast food jobs have been dumbed down as much as they possibly can be to compensate for a shrunken workforce and ridiculous turnover. I would be surprised to find more than one person in any given location who knows how to properly care for a drink machine and is willing to do it. I would not be surprised to find locations without anyone who could/would do it.

**BigRedChief** · 08-15-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I'd be pretty skeptical, though I don't really have any idea. Fast food sodas cost almost nothing. It seems to me there are far more effective ways of saving a few pennies.

(And I personally haven't noticed the phenomenon, myself.)

Back when I was 16 we sold a tank of Coke syrup for $28.00 that cost about $3.00 and the resteraunt could get 2000+ 12 oz drinks out of a tank.

I think they are making enough out of fountain drinks to try to get 2250 drinks out of a tank.

**Baby Lee** · 08-15-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by listopencil

They shouldn't. Soda at a fast food place has the highest profit margin of anything on the menu. That's why places like McDonald's are offering specials like "any size for a dollar". It's incredibly cheap. I'd say it's more likely that fast food soda dispensers aren't maintained as they should be.

They have to be "brixed", controlling the ratio of carbonated water to syrup. The nozzles and assemblies have to be cleaned out, soaking is best. The entire supply line post mixing has to be kept cold as well. Temperature has a huge effect on flavor.

This has to be done on a regular basis. Unfortunately for the consumers, fast food jobs have been dumbed down as much as they possibly can be to compensate for a shrunken workforce and ridiculous turnover. I would be surprised to find more than one person in any given location who knows how to properly care for a drink machine and is willing to do it. I would not be surprised to find locations without anyone who could/would do it.

Its been a while since I worked FF, but the soda machine and HVAC were the two things that were serviced solely by non-employees. I took a lot of stuff apart for cleaning and upkeep, but from the manager on down the only interaction with soda dispensers was wiping them down and replacing syrup.

**kysirsoze** · 08-15-2011, 07:51 PM

Dude, do NOT get iced tea at a fast food place. I used to work at a mid-range casual dining place and the spigots there were constanly so caked with mold the tea came out at a trickle. Cleaning those things out is the one thing I would go out of my way to do. No way would I trust a fast food place to clean those when real restaurants don't even do it consistently.

Okie_Apparition · 08-15-2011, 07:52 PM

Maybe they're switching to a healthier menu with less sodium. Very lightly sprinkle soda with salt

08-15-2011, 07:53 PM

You're at an age where your tastes are changing and I'm being 100% serious. You may just not like soda any longer. When I was your age I determined that I hated Bud, Coors, and Miller products and adjusted my beer consumption based on despite the fact I had drank so much of the swill beer prior to then.

listopencil · 08-15-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Its been a while since I worked FF, but the soda machine and HVAC were the two things that were serviced solely by non-employees. I took a lot of stuff apart for cleaning and upkeep, but from the manager on down the only interaction with soda dispensers was wiping them down and replacing syrup.

The refrigeration and pump unit, yeah. But employees can brix and clean. Mine did. I never let anybody touch the HVAC except to clean the grease filters.

**BigMeatballDave** · 08-15-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Back when I was 16 we sold a tank of Coke syrup for $28.00 that cost about $3.00 and the resteraunt could get 2000+ 12 oz drinks out of a tank.

I think they are making enough out of fountain drinks to try to get 2250 drinks out of a tank.

LOL Tank? How old are you? I remember working at a Hardees 20 yrs ago, it was a bag in a box then.

**kysirsoze** · 08-15-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

You're at an age where your tastes are changing and I'm being 100% serious. You may just not like soda any longer. When I was your age I determined that I hated Bud, Coors, and Miller products and adjusted my beer consumption based on despite the fact I had drank so much of the swill beer prior to then.

Yeah, a few years ago I just about stopped drinking coke altogether. Didn't try to cut it out or anything. I just realized I wasn't getting it anymore. I still have a mexican coke occassionally, but that's about it.

08-15-2011, 07:28 PM
aturnis MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Iowa Casino cash: $9975811	Fast food restaurants dilluting soda? So it seems like for the last year or so, every time I go to a fast food drive thru, my soda tastes less and less like what I ordered. At first, I was called crazy when I mentioned it to family/friends/co-workers. Then finally, after it what seems like the next "kickback" in syrup, a few of them reluctantly agreed with me. It seems like they are trying to stretch a bag of syrup for all it is worth. Is the economy that bad to where I can't get a decent soda anymore? Do they REALLY need to squeeze one or two more drinks out of that bag? I have since been forced to switch my preferred fast food beverage to teas, hi-c's or whatever else they couldn't possibly screw up. So has anyone else noticed this tightening of the fast food industries belt?
Posts: 13,873

08-15-2011, 07:30 PM	#2
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2962136	Mcdonalds always makes sure their coke machines are working well, They have 2 brand names to make sure they keep their word and make sure you are dead by 40 __________________
Posts: 54,298

08-15-2011, 07:31 PM	#3
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1450477	Does it taste like boar semen because my business has really been expanding and I have no idea why these fast food chains would be placing orders.
Posts: 40,388

08-15-2011, 07:36 PM	#5
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $1756899	I'd be pretty skeptical, though I don't really have any idea. Fast food sodas cost almost nothing. It seems to me there are far more effective ways of saving a few pennies. (And I personally haven't noticed the phenomenon, myself.)
Posts: 51,964

08-15-2011, 07:37 PM	#6
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3744454	Taco Bell fan, what's in the mystery meat?
Posts: 66,914

08-15-2011, 07:38 PM	#7
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $1955880	They shouldn't. Soda at a fast food place has the highest profit margin of anything on the menu. That's why places like McDonald's are offering specials like "any size for a dollar". It's incredibly cheap. I'd say it's more likely that fast food soda dispensers aren't maintained as they should be. They have to be "brixed", controlling the ratio of carbonated water to syrup. The nozzles and assemblies have to be cleaned out, soaking is best. The entire supply line post mixing has to be kept cold as well. Temperature has a huge effect on flavor. This has to be done on a regular basis. Unfortunately for the consumers, fast food jobs have been dumbed down as much as they possibly can be to compensate for a shrunken workforce and ridiculous turnover. I would be surprised to find more than one person in any given location who knows how to properly care for a drink machine and is willing to do it. I would not be surprised to find locations without anyone who could/would do it. __________________ Good friends we have had, oh, good friends we've lost...along the way. In this great future, you can't forget your past. So dry your tears, I say.
Posts: 55,984

08-15-2011, 07:51 PM	#10
kysirsoze SNAP THE ****ING BALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $3486946	Dude, do NOT get iced tea at a fast food place. I used to work at a mid-range casual dining place and the spigots there were constanly so caked with mold the tea came out at a trickle. Cleaning those things out is the one thing I would go out of my way to do. No way would I trust a fast food place to clean those when real restaurants don't even do it consistently.
Posts: 11,332

08-15-2011, 07:52 PM	#11
Okie_Apparition Banned Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: floatin cobwebs n the sky Casino cash: $10004900	Maybe they're switching to a healthier menu with less sodium. Very lightly sprinkle soda with salt
Posts: 7,012

08-15-2011, 07:53 PM	#12
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	You're at an age where your tastes are changing and I'm being 100% serious. You may just not like soda any longer. When I was your age I determined that I hated Bud, Coors, and Miller products and adjusted my beer consumption based on despite the fact I had drank so much of the swill beer prior to then.
Posts: n/a