Nearly $4 Cokes Help Pay for $4 Million CEO

[CoastersRZ]

And Frisch`s Big Boy restaurants also serve genuine Cherry and Vanilla Coke.

[Oldiesmann]

I've only been to a Waffle House once so I wouldn't know

[The Interpreter]

Center bottom, click on it and the image enlarges:

http://www.wafflehouse.com/welcome/images/stories/elements/FY10-OP13_ALC_no-pricing1.jpg

Free for a limited time, but it's said that for months!

[Purplehaze]

Dang you terpy now I am hungry

[CedarPointer]

I wonder how much it would cost to add the real cherry and vanilla to Jukebox Diner... it would fit in perfectly with the theme.

[The Interpreter]

IF Cedar Fair did this, I suspect the extra charge for such flavoring at retail would be about $1.50 or so more....How many guests would pay that?

[Pillsberry123]

I agree....to be honest I feel that the prices are fair.....not to get everyone mad but if you knew what we have to go through just to get the Coke to the guest you would be shocked...

My dad repairs miscellaneous machinery for a living, and he says that ice machines are the among most unreliable equipment you could imagine. I don't doubt that pop is hard to serve.

[Purplehaze]

I am still unsure what you guys mean by what it takes to get us a Coke. No different than it does with anyother venue I would imagine.

[Browntggrr]

My dad repairs miscellaneous machinery for a living, and he says that ice machines are the among most unreliable equipment you could imagine. I don't doubt that pop is hard to serve.

He is absolutely correct.

When I owned/ operated my business, I had to invest countless dollars to keep the ice machines operating.

And it always happened, when my business was at it's busiest, and when it was very hot and humid, is when the ice machine would crap out.

It was only after I purchased a second ice machine that both machines ran consistantly.

[shark6495]

I understand that the ice machines break down but seriously how much work is there in delivering an ice cold Coke to a customer? I have worked in many restaurants and my pop has too. I understand that the Coke syrup comes in a bag, which is hooked to a line, which receives its carbonation and water which then runs all the way out to the dispenser. However even with all of the machinery and "work" it takes to depress the button, it costs roughly 40-75 cents per Coke (no matter the size). If you charge 2.00 bucks then you are already making almost 4 times the cost. So please tell me how a 4 dollar Coke is fair?

They agreed to order me a few boxes of syrup on their next truck, and that was that. You can expect to pay about $25/box for the 2.5 gallon boxes, or $50-60 for the 5 gallon boxes. One gallon of syrup makes about 66 12 oz drinks. For Coca-cola products, the local distributor was nice enough to talk to me at first, but it seems they only wanted to make sure the fountain machine wasn't stolen (it wasn't).

from http://www.boneville.net/soda/buying_stuff.htm

so .... a 12 oz Coke could cost you lets say 3.00 bucks.... so if you get (rounding down) 60 Cokes from 1 gallon that would be 180 dollars. So if you buy the 5 gallon box you will be making 900 dollars per bag (5 gallon) of Coke......

[Purplehaze]

Exactly shark, there is no effort to get soda to the customers. Ice machines do break down but even when they do there are alternatives. I was an officer for a McDonald's chain where I ran four out of 10 stores. Ice machines always went down but other strategies would take over as a back up. Of course KI is a business and it is their right to charge whatever however it shows how they put the screws to their customers. Takes a lot of money to run a park but I think 4 bucks for a soda is pushing it a bit. That was my question, what is so hard about getting drinks to customers? maybe cause they have to lift a box up onto a rack? maybe cause you have to change over CO2 or pressure hoses? Just do not understand this.

[shark6495]

even at that though... I understand if you are a small restaurant owner... you may charge 3.00 bucks for a drink. There are hidden costs in drinks, i get that.... but if you are a big chain, which CF is, then you get stuff at usually a better deal... plus filling a CO2 tank is what 30 bucks? if that with a deposit on the tank.... Ice machine going down at Browntggr's place? bad... ice machine going down at KI? just use the other .....

Not to mention, chain places can and sometimes do give you a free refill or 5.... KI does not....

[Purplehaze]

Yes smaller business owners have a hard time with this. Back in the day they used to load cups by hand with ice and soft drinks.

[Browntggrr]

^ Let's not forget that it is not just KI that has over-priced drinks, but the majority of family venues as well (i.e. movie theaters, sporting events, zoos, resorts etc.)

On another note: I recently worked a Wine Festival in York, PA for a friend that owns a local winery. The event staff for the grounds were not going to allow me, working as a vendor (not selling water-just pouring wine), access to the grounds because I was carrying two cases of water that were purchased at a local Wal-Mart for $3.50/ case. They wanted to charge the vendors $10.00/ case. This water was just for the workers at the tent, not for the paying guests.

[Purplehaze]

Yes most venues charge outlandish prices on food and drink for sure. I suppose no matter how much they charge they will always sell drinks at KI. Maybe that is the thought behind the pricing strategy. I spend a lot of money at the park through out any given season I would spend more if the drinks were 2 bucks a sale instead of 4.

[shark6495]

^^^ ha

Reminds me of when I was a kid I would go to the Kroger/IGA and buy 12 packs of Coke for 2.50... then sell each can for 50 cents.... I would do it during parades and festivals around my house.....

[Browntggrr]

Even where I work, a 16 oz. soda is $1.35, yet I can purchase a 6 pack of 20 oz bottles for $2.50 at Wal-Mart.

Needless to say, I treat work like going to a park- I bring my own drink.

[shark6495]

haha i was hoping you were going to say

"I treat like going to a park, I bring sunscreen and pretend that the lines are ques..."

[TopThrill]

I can remember back when the park had can Coke, not bottle and it was 2.00 dollars, at the time I though that was high. Clearly this year seeing 3.75 for bottle, I had seen nothing yet.

And I think that is really bad how they charge 10 to 15 dollars for parking, and the lot is in bad shape. In some area's you can't even see the parking lines.

[The Interpreter]

Sigh. The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta would prefer that we all spell Coke with a capital letter. Or is that why Coke is so high?

Terpy, child of the 80's...sort of...there's that Coke, then there's the coal product...then there's Coke and Pepsi...and 40 cents product COST for a fountain Coke? No way, Hosea...not even close...try more like four CENTS...including cup...

[shark6495]

haha so I may have been way off on my 40-75 cents per cup, but I was trying to be very conservative.... Now I know Coke would like us to spell and use Coke, but I am one of the few who do not call it a pop or a soda. Its the generic Coke for me.... what kind of Coke do you have? oh Ill have a Mountain Dew, or Ill have a Coca-Cola.....

[CedarPointer]

I understand that the ice machines break down but seriously how much work is there in delivering an ice cold Coke to a customer? I have worked in many restaurants and my pop has too. I understand that the Coke syrup comes in a bag, which is hooked to a line, which receives its carbonation and water which then runs all the way out to the dispenser. However even with all of the machinery and "work" it takes to depress the button, it costs roughly 40-75 cents per Coke (no matter the size). If you charge 2.00 bucks then you are already making almost 4 times the cost. So please tell me how a 4 dollar Coke is fair?

They also have to pay for the associates who serve the Coke, the AC in the building, new attractions, licensing fees for certain archaic children's characters, new pavers, flagpoles, and arches... and that's just what I can think of off the top of my head. You aren't JUST paying for the Coke. And, besides, if you don't like it, feel free to get a FREE cup of water which would cost you at other parks...

Even where I work, a 16 oz. soda is $1.35, yet I can purchase a 6 pack of 20 oz bottles for $2.50 at Wal-Mart.

Needless to say, I treat work like going to a park- I bring my own drink.

You bring your own drinks into the park?

[Jason B]

I love that the main issue of this topic was that Mr. Kizel and how he makes too much money (a fact I don't think anyone will argue but him) and went off on discussion about Coke.

[The Interpreter]

Don't forget that The Pepsi Cola Company also helps to raise money for his salary and bonuses...at parks like Cedar Point and other legacy Cedar Fair parks...

[shark6495]

I understand that the ice machines break down but seriously how much work is there in delivering an ice cold Coke to a customer? I have worked in many restaurants and my pop has too. I understand that the Coke syrup comes in a bag, which is hooked to a line, which receives its carbonation and water which then runs all the way out to the dispenser. However even with all of the machinery and "work" it takes to depress the button, it costs roughly 40-75 cents per Coke (no matter the size). If you charge 2.00 bucks then you are already making almost 4 times the cost. So please tell me how a 4 dollar Coke is fair?

They also have to pay for the associates who serve the Coke, the AC in the building, new attractions, licensing fees for certain archaic children's characters, new pavers, flagpoles, and arches... and that's just what I can think of off the top of my head. You aren't JUST paying for the Coke. And, besides, if you don't like it, feel free to get a FREE cup of water which would cost you at other parks...

[

I am a car packer myself. I will either eat my lunch in the car with Coke, or I will leave the park. I do not drink the Coke in the park. Now I understand they have to pay people, but if you really would like me to go into the hard core math functions of what goes where in a business I would love to. But it boils down, 4 bucks a pop for a Coke is high........ does not matter how many ways you spend the profit off of each drink....

[Browntggrr]

Even where I work, a 16 oz. soda is $1.35, yet I can purchase a 6 pack of 20 oz bottles for $2.50 at Wal-Mart.

Needless to say, I treat work like going to a park- I bring my own drink.

You bring your own drinks into the park?

Not always.

When our kids were still in strollers, it was easy to bring drinks (and food) in the park that were stashed in the underneath carrier.

Often times now, my wife will stick a drink in her purse. When the drink is gone, we refill the bottle with water.

[Purplehaze]

A good thing to get is those little drink mix pouches. They take up little to no space and you just add to water and instant drink. They have them in all flavors.

[CedarPointer]

Or we could do something *really* silly and follow the park's rules.

[Purplehaze]

I just spoke with Kaitlyn from PR just a few minutes ago and you can bring food into the park if you have specific dietary needs but that has to be approved by GR. But the powdered drink pouches are allowed to be brought into the park.

[CedarPointer]

I've seen someone bring an entire lunch into the park- bread, lunchmeat, condiments, drinks... there's a fine line between thrifty and cheap, lol. The drink mix is actually a really good idea, I bet it would work making a ziplock bag filled with mix from one of the large canisters. I shall have to remember that!