The Soda Barn - Chubbuck — Restaurant in Chubbuck

Look, I totally get it - you take a delish soda and mix it with delish syrups for a delish beverage. I’m not gonna lie and say that I don’t enjoy a soda from SB. That’s not the issue here. Let’s be totally honest, ANYONE can do that. What can and SHOULD set you apart in this industry of caffeine addiction is service and speed. It blows my mind that I can go through a drive through of Chic-Fil-A and order a meal for myself and 4 kids and get it faster than two sodas and an already baked cookie from the fridge! Just sayin’ - and it costs about the same honestly by the time I’ve idled my gas away, and purchased my anti-aging cream while waiting for the same menu item that hasn’t changed in years.

But rather than just complain, I’d like to offer some specific feedback and examples that I hope is taken with heart. Here we go:

1. There is a reason places like Jimmy John’s and Chic-Fil-A are freaky fast - they learn that the faster you move the product - the more you’re gonna sell!! I drive by SB and see two cars waiting in the drive up - I’m gonna keep on trucking cuz ain’t no one got time for that! That’s lost business right there. Every. Dang. Time. There is over a hundred years of assembly line experience out there to prove this point - it’s fast! Freaky fast if I may!

2. For the love of all things holy - if your help can’t count change - then send them to some math classes. Let me give you a specific example — My total was like 3.17 or the something like. Well, I hand the nice young man 3.27 thinking I’d just like a dime back rather than the nickel and pennies, who wants pennies right!?! Well the kid looks at it and then says “Oh, you don’t need to give me the pennies your total is 3.17 so you don’t need 3.27!” I kindly respond - “I know sir - I’d like a dime instead of pennies.” He looks blankly at me and says: “Well, your change won’t be a dime if you gave me 3.25??” I just looked at him and said “just keep the change - it’s a tip for you - And he just looks at me and shrugs and hands me my change of a nickel and now 5 pennies - the three pennies to my change - plus the two I gave him!!

3. Be creative - as reference above, instead of a soda of the month as creativity - try something new and change up the menu or have suggestions often - people like to try stuff - again it’s going to up your product movement!

4. Ice - it’s either too little or too much. Find a scoop or measurement that even the smallest child can follow every single time.

5. Finally - for the love of of my blood pressure and road rage - GET YOUR SUPPLY IN ORDER. I’m addicted to Dt. Dr. Pepper and three times in the last two weeks I’ve gone against my gut and pulled into your drive up, waited (refer back to #1 self) only to get to the menu board to have a %#!$ sticky note taped to the board saying you are out of Dt. Dr Pepper! Why good friends would you 1) consistently run out of one product? (It hasn’t only been DP, I’ve seen coke, monster, etc) 2) Not put a bloody sign up until I’m TRAPPED in your drive up with no escape 3) Not offer some good graces to people like me that now have to order some inferior soda?

See, are those not reasonable asks? Now before you get all judgie on me - yes, I am a small business owner, have employees, and have experience. Thankfully, I found success as I see you guys have as well. Good for us all! And to be totally honest and transparent - because of said addiction, I will be back - but I will still be annoyed and one day some one WILL come along with a better experience and product and I will change my loyalty! For what it’s worth. Google...

Love The Soda Barn! I’m more of a cookie advocate than a soda advocate, but do not limit myself to the purchase of just the cookies, as my kids thoroughly enjoy the mixed soda drinks there as well. Often times they have a long drive thru line, which tells me they are serving good product. If in a hurry, I will park the car and run inside to get what I need to satisfy my sweet tooth. I’ve had good luck with only 0-2 customers ahead of me. On the unusual occasion that lines are long at the drive thru, as well as, out the door of their lobby, then I may choose to value my time and try The Soda Barn the next day or at a different hour with understanding that they will have busy times where I will probably have to wait longer than usual. The only suggestion I would have for Soda Barn is to create an iced water drink with fresh fruit mixed in it. With summertime ahead and for those looking to limit their sugar intake, this could be a hit! Refreshing...

Today (July 22. 2024) was only my second time going to soda barn. The first experience was decent but this time my spouse, a friend, and I went in and purchased what was surely to be the energy of my nighttime experience after a long day of work meetings and school studying. We ordered, we received, then walked out the door and as luck would have it the Styrofoam cup gave out and spilled all over the sidewalk before a sip was even to be had. So I walked in and explained that the cup gave out and they wanted to charge me another $8 for a different drink. So I promptly refused and walked out. I could understand if I had left the property but I barely made it out the front door. I've issued refunds on cases of beer for less reasons. I won't be going back bc the drinks are too expensive to not be reimbursed when life happens. I guess I'll just be tired....