How do fast food joints with the self-serve drinks afford all the free refills?

Question

Some people sit there all day and mooch.

Answer 1

The soda syrup is really cheap for the restaurants to purchase.  With the price that they get for a soda, the few people that do drink heavily don't really cut into the  profit that they make on everyone who just drinks normally.

Answer 2

the money is in the cup not in the drink so they can afford to give away free drinks

Answer 3

Companies aren't stupid, they figure that stuff out.  They know that most people don't refill and the cost of the syrup is really low.

Answer 4

It actuall only costs about 8 cents for every 32oz of soda.So the people who use the drive thru are where they make their money on soda.

Answer 5

The cost to the franchise is literally pennies. You'd have to fill an extra large cup at least 10 times to even start to cut into their profit margin. These soda machines are hooked up to canisters with concentrated soda syrup that mixes with carbonated water when you fill up. The cannisters are refilled so theirs no expense going toward continuing production of plastic bottles or aluminum cans and labeling etc. This is also cheaper in terms of shipping since a cannister is equal to about 50 cases of soda. Ice tea is relatively cheap as well when you consider a large drink runs around $2.00

Answer 6

my charging more money for the price of the drinks

Answer 7

Dunno...I drink water.Its better for ya =)

Answer 8

its called global warming