Current Events > Do any food industry workers know about upcharge/markup on Fountain Sodas/Drinks

(+) Yeah! (+)

80/80, but cheated and missed the "?"

I've worked at Fast food years ago, and recall large bags filled with syrup, concentrate, and other ingredients which were hooked up to machines that mixed them with water. The thought crossed my mind then, but it was far above my pay grade/any information the manager would offer.

I've browsed Reddit and a few other sites and some are saying the markup could be over 300/600/1000%? Think that could be accurate?

I'm wondering about anyone who may have insider knowledge about food/restaurant/distribution/prices and all that.

Like price per box of syrup, how much soda each box may be able produce, etc.

Thanks, y'all!

Depends on the drink, but a few years ago, they'd be from about $25 for the smaller, to $40 for the larger.

Even the small ones were worth a few hundred cups/glasses. The larger, for popular drinks, nearly triple that.

The markup is HUGE on it. Massive profit in the long run. It's why free drinks, or discounted refills and so on is a popular "bonus" at a lot of gas stations for spending on other things.

From what I'm familiar with, a five gallon drink bag of syrup costs about 30-40 bucks. Couldn't tell you how much you get out of each one exactly though, but the more popular flavors lasted at least a couple days.

Yeah, its absolutely huge.

Baker_Mayfield posted...

80/80, but cheated and missed the "?"

I've worked at Fast food years ago, and recall large bags filled with syrup, concentrate, and other ingredients which were hooked up to machines that mixed them with water. The thought crossed my mind then, but it was far above my pay grade/any information the manager would offer.

I've browsed Reddit and a few other sites and some are saying the markup could be over 300/600/1000%? Think that could be accurate?

I'm wondering about anyone who may have insider knowledge about food/restaurant/distribution/prices and all that.

Like price per box of syrup, how much soda each box may be able produce, etc.

Thanks, y'all!

All I know as I've been told is you gotta refill (provided there is free refills) your drink 16 time to make the company only break even on the sale. Probably why free refill is a thing. Cause who's gonna do that

Sufferedphoenix posted...

All I know as I've been told is you gotta refill (provided there is free refills) your drink 16 time to make the company only break even on the sale. Probably why free refill is a thing. Cause who's gonna do that

I max out at like 2 or 3 in dining room. But I drink fast. Then take one to go for the road. My partner also drinks only like one, and let's me fill that for the road. I know that's a lot of soda, but it is the low calories option. I realize that's just as bad, aside the lack of caloric intake.

Thanks for the info.

Senta posted...

Depends on the drink, but a few years ago, they'd be from about $25 for the smaller, to $40 for the larger.

Even the small ones were worth a few hundred cups/glasses. The larger, for popular drinks, nearly triple that.

The markup is HUGE on it. Massive profit in the long run. It's why free drinks, or discounted refills and so on is a popular "bonus" at a lot of gas stations for spending on other things.

pegusus123456 posted...

From what I'm familiar with, a five gallon drink bag of syrup costs about 30-40 bucks. Couldn't tell you how much you get out of each one exactly though, but the more popular flavors lasted at least a couple days.

Good info, thanks.

I feel like it singlehandedly is what makes many places viable.

Baker_Mayfield posted...

max out at like 2 or 3 in dining room. But I drink fast. Then take one to go for the road. My partner also drinks only like one, and let's me fill that for the road. I know that's a lot of soda, but it is the low calories option. I realize that's just as bad, aside the lack of caloric intake.

Thanks for the info

Heard a story in thr internet from this guy saying that as a kid his dad would make the family sit there while he got his 16 refills

I had lunch this week somewhere basic that wanted over $4 for a fountain drink.

Edit- googled.

Found a Mountain Dew 3 gallon box for $92. Says it produces about 192 12oz drinks. At $2.50 each its $480, so roughly 4-5x.

Sufferedphoenix posted...

Heard a story in thr internet from this guy saying that as a kid his dad would make the family sit there while he got his 16 refills

Bet he didn't live more then 16 years after he started doing that