Heinz introduces REMIX, a Coca-Cola freestyle for condiments

I must admit I wasn’t expecting to be writing about the Heinz condiment product today, but a great company surprises you every now and then.

No, it’s not mayochep or wasabioli, but the Heinz Remix, a vending-machine-sized sauce dispenser that lets customers create personalized sauce mixes.

The new machine, which the company claims was developed from concept in just six months, can create up to 200 sauce combinations from a sauce base that includes ketchup, ranch, Heinz 57 sauce and BBQ sauce. From there, customers can add “enhancers” to the company’s calls, including jalapeño, smoky chipotle, buffalo and mango, at varying intensities (low, medium, high).

The product, which is part of the company’s “Away from Home” (AFH) division, will debut at the National Restaurant Show later this month.

The product is reminiscent of Coca-Cola Freestyle, which lets customers create weird combinations of soda to their heart’s content. However, unlike the Freestyle, it’s unclear how many restaurants are willing to give up floor space to a giant spice mixer. Soda is something that customers actually pay for, and I went to places to use the Freestyle. So while remixes may be a draw for spice-conscious consumers, restaurants will need to be sure that the extra cost of having remixes adds enough to the bottom line to make recurring or new customers worth it.

But who knows, maybe everyone out there at RanchUp or Mango 57 has been waiting for the moment when they can finally express themselves.

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