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Blaze Pizza, known for its fast-casual pizzas, has recently introduced a controversial new rule: an 18-second time limit for soda refills. This unexpected move has caused an uproar with customers, and now they fear that other fast-food chains may soon follow suit.
The new rule was revealed by a user on TikTok, @phatprincessa who posted the video showing the new 18 second fill-up process. The customer has to scan a barcode for the soda machine to kick in and once they do, they have just 18 seconds to fill up their cup. It’s important to note that without a bar code, the machine will not function.
At the end of the video, she adds, “They are done with you stealing drinks.”
Many comments on the video echoed the same sentiment, “This is so greedy.”
In addition to the 18-second soda refill rule being designed to do away with free refills, it’s also supposedly to streamline the process and reduce wait times. According to Blaze Pizza, the time limit is based on customer flow and the efficiency of their refill stations but many customers feel that the rule is unfair and restrictive. They argue that it limits their enjoyment of their meal and creates unnecessary stress.
Some customers have expressed concern that the 18-second rule could lead to longer lines and wait times. They fear that if more customers are rushed to finish their refills, it will create a bottleneck at the soda fountain. Then there’s customers with disabilities or those who require extra time to refill their cups. They may feel marginalized by the rule.
In a similar move, McDonald’s has been taking away their self-serve soda machines over the past year or so and plans to have every location on board with the change by 2030 but it’s looking like they will meet their goal a lot sooner than the projected date. And not only that but free refills are on their way out. Many customers are reporting they need to pay for a refill now whereas before, they had been free.
While Blaze Pizza has defended its decision, the 18-second rule brings forth a wider debate about the future of fast food. Some experts believe that the rule could be a sign of things to come, as fast-food chains continue to look for ways to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Others argue that the rule is a step in the wrong direction, as it could alienate customers and damage the reputation of the fast-food industry.
A huge draw of fast food chains (especially to off-set higher prices) are the free drink refills. Without it, many don’t see a reason to be a patron of the chains that do away with the it.
As an other commenter said, “I will stop going if there is no free refills. I will have drinks at home.”
It remains to be seen whether other fast-food chains will follow Blaze Pizza’s lead and implement similar time limits for soda refills. Customers can only hope that their concerns will be taken into account and that the focus will remain on providing a positive and enjoyable dining experience.
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