The Coca-Cola brand is iconic. From its humble beginnings in a small Atlanta pharmacy in 1886 to becoming a global phenomenon, Coca-Cola has bubbled its way into the hearts and taste buds of people across the planet.
Coca-Cola vending machines are no different. From their beginnings as the “syrup urn” in 1896 to their freestyle dispenser, Coca-Cola vending machines have undergone many innovations to keep the customer happy and the company learning about customer tastes and preferences.
Today, Coca-Cola vending machines offer a variety of beverage flavors to cater to everyone’s tastes. With carbonated and non-carbonated options (including plain water), a Coca-Cola vending machine is a great fit in any space.
The Birth of Coca-Cola
The first glass of Coca-Cola was served in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 8, 1886. The brainchild of pharmacist John S. Pemberton, the drink was a mixture of a syrup he developed and brought to Jacobs’ Pharmacy to taste. After deeming the syrup “excellent,” the pharmacy started selling it mixed with soda water at five cents a glass. A star was born!
In 1887, John Pemberton patented the formula, just before prominent Atlanta businessman Asa Candler began to acquire company shares and eventually full control of its operations in 1892.
By 1895, Coca-Cola had conquered the country. Then, in 1899, Candler sold the rights to bottling the drink to Benjamin F. Thomas and Joseph B. Whitehead. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, where for the small price of $1, they began bottling Coca-Cola with its signature trademarked script.
The Coca-Cola Company spared nothing when it came to advertising budgets. From classical-style syrup, dispenser turns to clocks, storefronts, calendars, and even celebrity endorsements, by 1901, their advertising budget was over $100,000.
By 1907, the first Coca-Cola festoons were installed in soda fountain machines. By 1911, advertising spending was over $1 million, and bottling operations were happening in Canada, Cuba, and Panama, and in 1919, bottling plants opened in Europe (in Paris and Bordeaux).
With so much success, there were many copycats on the market, trying to capitalize on all the marketing the iconic double-C name had invested in (think Koka Kola, Koka Nola, or just Koke). To combat the competitors, Coca-Cola executives came up with the idea of a bottle shape so distinctive it could be felt in the dark or even identified if broken on the ground.
That iconic shape was crafted by Alexander Samuelson, hailing from the Root Glass Company in Terre Haute, Indiana. Officially patented on November 16, 1915, the bottle underwent modifications and slimming to seamlessly integrate with existing bottling equipment, leading to its widespread production in 1916. This distinctive contour bottle became The Coca-Cola Company's exclusive packaging for four decades until the introduction of the king-size package in 1955.
Jump forward to 1929, when the Coca-Cola Company was known worldwide, not just for its advertising but also for its esteemed partnerships. They worked with the Red Cross, organizing blood drives during World War I, and even had kiosks distributing drinks at the Olympics. Through the rest of the 20th century, Coca-Cola continued to master its advertising tactics and grow steadily to become more than just a household name but a well-recognized, iconic brand associated with sports, family, and the good life.
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Coca-Cola Vending Machine Evolution
With its incredible success, the Coca-Cola Company didn’t just invest in advertising. They invested in innovation as well. In the 1930s, then-President Robert Woodruff established a dedicated technical department to oversee quality control and invention.
Tasked with the mission to engineer an efficient and cost-effective cooler bearing the Coca-Cola brand, the team delivered the Glascock Cooler. Introduced in 1929, this cooler hit the market at an accessible price point of $12.00. Remarkably, in fewer than 25 years, Coca-Cola had flooded the marketplace with over 1 million units of the Glascock Cooler. With the ability to get Coca-Cola on the go, some might consider this the beginning of the Coca-Cola vending machine…
The technical division didn’t stop with the branded cooler. In 1933, the Dole Valve Company developed the first dispenser to provide cooling-at-the-point-of-service for carbonated water and syrup. Previously, servers would hand mix the soda and syrup, but with this invention the process was automatic.
By 1937, the company had introduced the Mills ‘47’ vending machine, which dispensed bottles directly to customers when they inserted a coin. It quickly spread across offices and sporting establishments for easy access.
By the 1950s, vending machines had come a long way, and the Vendo 44, created by the Vendo Company in Kansas City, Missouri, distributed over 8,000 units between 1956 and 1959. These machines were Coca-Cola-specific, designed with their classic red and white logo and customizable imagery to match their advertising campaigns. Today, this machine is one of the most sought-after collector's items and can go at auction for thousands of dollars!
In 1960, the Westinghouse Electric Corporation unveiled a versatile vending machine capable of accommodating various products, including both cans and bottles, with adjustable pricing. This groundbreaking feature rendered the machines a cost-effective investment, reducing the need for frequent upgrades whenever new beverages were introduced. 
With new brands and marketing materials, this Coca-Cola vending machine allowed products like Sprite and Tab to fit into the machines as well. (Fun fact: Tab was discontinued in 2020, but there are still many Tab lovers! The Save Tab Committee, headed by Nebraska resident Adam Burbach, is determined to see it return.)
Today, the Coca-Cola company offers a variety of modern vending solutions, including classic vending machines and fountain machines. The company continues to innovate, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with timeless refreshments. Modern vending machines are equipped with state-of-the-art features, including interactive touchscreens, cashless payment options, and even artificial intelligence for personalized recommendations.
Embracing sustainability, many machines are designed with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, aligning with Coca-Cola's commitment to environmental stewardship. From bustling urban centers to remote rural communities, Coca-Cola vending machines continue to serve smiles and satisfaction, embodying the brand's enduring legacy of refreshment and innovation.
Related Content: How Vending Machines Can Fit Into Your Sustainability Efforts
Vending Group and Coca-Cola
Vending Group’s Coca-Cola vending machine services are completely free for all kinds of locations across the U.S., including hotels, offices, retail stores, apartment communities, and more. Beginning with a site visit, we’ll help determine the best place for your machine installation, get it installed, and help source your products. We also handle any service or repair issues at no cost whatsoever.
It’s worth noting, however, that there are a few requirements to get a Coca-Cola vending machine. There are a few requirements to get a Coca-Cola vending machine.
- For manufacturing sites, there must be at least 40 on-site employees DAILY. For office locations, the office must have no less than 40 employees DAILY and those employees must remain on location and not be service technicians who start and end their days at the office
- For locations that do have service techs who spend most of their time outside the office, they need at least 30 office staff and no less than 40 techs who report daily but work offsite for most of their day.
- For retail settings, there must be at least 40 daily employees for a break-room installation or at least 30 daily employees and high customer traffic if the machine is available to the public.
- Hotels must have at least 40 guest rooms and apartment complexes must have at least 100 units.
Product selection for vending machines depends on the machine type and size. For example, the average number of product selections for Stack Vendors is 8-10, and it's about 20-25 for Glassfront Vendors. There are three main vending machine manufacturers: Royal Vendors, Dixie Narco, and Vendo. The machine specs vary, so space doesn’t need to be a concern! Our field experts can help determine the right machine to fit your space for the most efficient placement and use.
If you are a true Coca-Cola vending machine lover (and who isn’t?), then it might be time for a trip to Atlanta and the World of Coca-Cola. Established in 1990, the museum has everything you could want to learn about the history and iconic culture of the Coca-Cola brand. And while you’re in Georgia, get in touch with Vending Group – we have the ORIGINAL Coca-Cola vending machine at our headquarters!
Partner With Vending Group For Your Vending Machine Needs
We’re proud of our strong, lasting relationship with Coca-Cola, and all our other vending service providers. These are the relationships that allow us to provide excellent service nationwide and receive compliments like this from a property management team we work with:
“I just wanted to tell you that the single reason I have [kept] the machine here is because of [Vending Group]. It is just refreshing to have someone care and check in on us. You are much appreciated!”
From the beginning of Coca-Cola to today’s modern Coca-Cola vending machines, Vending Group is here to help with your nationally managed vending program. Get started with Vending Group today.
