Puerto Rico is the first Hispanic market to enjoy The Coca-Cola Company’s new proprietary fountain: the Coca-Cola Freestyle®, and Firehouse Subs is the first to offer this new exciting technology in the island. The fountain is currently available at Firehouse Subs’ four (4) restaurants located in San Patricio Plaza (Guaynabo), Los Prados (Caguas), Juncos (Galería Juncos) and Plaza Las Américas; more fountains will be available with the opening of additional Firehouse Subs in the island, the company announced today.
The sleek, stylish new fountains are touch-screen operated, enabling people to select from more than 120 regular and low-calorie brands – including many varieties of waters, sports drinks, lemonades and sparkling beverages that, prior to the arrival of Coca-Cola Freestyle®, were not available in the U.S. or Puerto Rico. The fountains – which represent a complete departure from anything The Coca-Cola Company has offered previously – were in development for more than four years prior to launching in 2010 in the U.S.
We have created a concept that has quickly become recognized as the soda fountain of the future – a representation of the way people will experience Coca-Cola beverages years from now, said Laura García, marketing manager for Coca-Cola Puerto Rico.
For a restaurant, the Coca-Cola Freestyle represents more agility in the service process, reduces inventory space and allows for more options to the consumer. For the consumer, it means an interactive experience where he can explore his creativity in combining brands and obtaining a distinctive beverage.
The Coca-Cola Freestyle® fountain uses unique, proprietary PUREPOUR TECHNOLOGY™ and has the capacity to dispense more than 120 beverage varieties in the same amount of space as a standard eight-valve machine. The fountains are available in two versions: self-serve or crew-serve.
“At Firehouse Subs®, we are very proud of being the first to offer the revolutionary Coca-Cola Freestyle experience to our customers. Only at Firehouse Subs® the client is able to enjoy such an innovative and state-of-the-art experience of choosing a beverage to taste. This new technology allows for our consumers to experience with brands that are only available at a Firehouse Subs®. We are certain that, together with our top-of-the-line sandwiches, this is another reason for continuing sponsoring Firehouse Subs® ’’, said Gabriel Laffitte, president of Firehouse Subs® in Puerto Rico. Among the beverages available is Cherry Lime-Aid®, exclusive of Firehouse Subs®.
Firehouse Subs® will sponsor three happy hours for clients to enjoy this new technology free of charge. Happy hours will take place from 4 pm to 6 pm on February 22 (Plaza los Prados, Caguas, February 29 (Galería Juncos) and March 7 (San Patricio Plaza).
With the proven success of Coca-Cola Freestyle at Firehouse Subs locations across the U.S., they’re now bringing the same fun, choice and variety to their restaurants in Puerto Rico, said Gene Farrell, Vice President and General Manager, Coca-Cola Freestyle, The Coca- Cola Company. “With the debut of Coca-Cola Freestyle in Puerto Rico, people will be able to enjoy something they’ve never experienced before, while choosing the perfect beverage to complement their meal at Firehouse Subs.”
Coca-Cola Freestyle is available in more than 2,200 outlets and covering 45 states across the U.S., including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. The Company plans future U.S. introductions throughout 2012.
In-market results indicate an increase in beverage servings, total transactions and total restaurant sales. The Coca-Cola Freestyle fountain uses unique, proprietary PUREPOUR TECHNOLOGY™.
People can find the nearest Coca-Cola Freestyle location at www.coca colafreestyle.com.
