First, a bit of instruction to my readers. Ordering a carbonated drink in the United States really depends upon where you live. Some regions call it "pop", others name it "soda", some same "Coke" meaning all brands and flavors. For this article, I will defer to what the New York Mayor, Mr. Bloomberg, refers to the drink which is "soda".
Mr. Bloomberg wants to limit all carbonated drinks to only a 16 ounce serving at one time at restaurants, theaters, stadiums, and street carts. The purpose of said decision is to "assist" citizens with their healthy eating choices.
I have never been to New York City. I think I can assume there are restaurants and certainly street carts that fall under "small business". I also believe there could be small local soda makers. All of these could be affected with this new ruling.
(This blog is about the drinking choice debate only. Not the waste debate, the health debate, or the public v. private debate).
Please recall the basic historical outline regarding the Boston Tea Party. Taxation without representation came to point where people were tired of paying for taxed goods including tea. Tea could only be bought through one English company. No choices, no representation in parliament to vote for said taxes and people became angry to the point of revolution.
Now certainly, we level headed, practical, common sense, champions of small business can think of solutions to the Mayor's decision about only 16 ounces of Pepsi, Coke, Dr. Pepper, Mug Root Beer, and Canada Dry Ginger ale way, way, way before the people of Boston. Besides, it was another century, our nation had mostly an agrarian economic based society, and they had John Adams who lived nearby. Does your city have a couple like John and Abagail Adams?
Ideas
1. Food carts could line up in a row and just like a marathon, hold out sodas as people come by. Citizens would know ahead of time to get rid of their dollar coins this way and a quick exchange of drink and money would be completed. People could collect several 16 ounce sodas at one time.
2. Restaurants would use vending machines placed all over their establishments. They would have one next to the front door for customers to use as soon as they walk in, one behind customers' tables to conveniently reach behind and get another drink, and one more can to purchase as customers are leaving for the ride home or the casual walk after dinner. Those serving mixed drinks would only need to put the alcohol in the glass and the customer does the rest. More efficient service from the bar!
3. Fast food chains could have a circular rotation lane with drive-through window just for sodas or perhaps an outbuilding for only sodas. People could drive around the buildings and each time get a soda.
4. Restaurants and food carts come together and let a person buy a cup for a day for a certain amount.
They get so many refills for that price. Each time they get a refill, the retailer puts on some kind of invisible sticker which will shine under a lamp, etc. etc. Just like hotel keys, this changes each day. Start a marketing campaign. Use Pinterest to show how to use these empty cups for crafts and other practical uses. Involve theaters and stadiums as well.
5. Have you ever eaten a pint of ice cream at one sitting? A pound of M&M's, Snickers, or other candy? A pound of peanuts? 16 ounces of popcorn? Granted I am mixing up measurements. A pint of soda is 16 ounces, but you get what I mean. All of us have done something like this I suspect. I just don't do it everyday for every meal. Small business can do the same thing when marketing their products. You are special and everyone needs to have you in the correct proportions at the right times. I believe people can decide for themselves when those occasions are because they have memories of the last fun time they ate your product. They will come back for more when they are ready.
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