Operations

Coca-Cola Freestyle 8100 improves variety and speed for drive-thrus

Image provided by iStock.

May 17, 2022

Coca-Cola has launched its Freestyle 8100, a back-of-house dispenser developed specifically for the crew-serve occasion, according to a press release. The dispenser streamlines drink pouring for foodservice crews, helping reduce drive-thru wait times for diners.

"When the pandemic first struck, we saw Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage volume poured on crew-serve Freestyle dispensers jump from 11% of our total volume to 86%," Felicia Hale, vice president of equipment strategy, Coca-Cola Freestyle, said in the press release.

Freestyle 8100 integrates directly with a restaurant's POS system or kitchen technology.

Coca-Cola first partnered with QSR Automations to pilot this feature for a major QSR chain in the southern U.S.

Features include:

• POS integration: Optional POS integration enables the Freestyle dispenser to automatically queue a guest's total beverage order once it is keyed into the POS system without manual drink selection by a crew member.
• SmartPour technology: This technology senses how much ice is in a cup and automatically stops pouring once the cup is full.
• Design: The 24-inch HD touchscreen display allows for smoother navigation and easy ancillary equipment attachment.
• Improved crew operations: The interface offers easier access to inventory alerts, quicker diagnostics, improved ergonomics and a simplified process for installing and changing out ingredients.
• Beverage variety. The 200-plus beverages encompass nine categories, including more than 100 low- and no-calorie options and over 90 caffeine-free choices.

Freestyle 8100 is currently in pilot with select customers including Wendy's, Burger King, Beef 'O' Brady's and Taco Mac with the full commercial launch slated for Q4 2022.