Seattle-based Jones Soda Co. announced the official launch and expansion of its premium Jones Cane Sugar Soda fountain program.

Developed in response to increased consumer demand for a premium alternative to the basic foodservice and quick-service restaurant (QSR) fountain offerings, the Jones Cane Sugar Fountain Soda program is the result of a partnership between Jones Soda and a number of customers and independent distributors across North America to offer a variety of Jones Soda’s classic and specialty flavors, the company says.

Leveraging its catalog of consumer-submitted photography, Jones is working with its retail restaurant and foodservice customers to create custom-designed, co-branded fountain equipment that incorporates both neighborhood-specific images submitted by consumers as well as retailer-selected photographs that reflect the theme of each location. The end result is a stunning display that truly reinforces the emotional connection between the retailer, its consumer and Jones Soda while still providing competitive margin levels that foodservice operators expect from traditional fountain programs, the company says. The program is being met with initial success in British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest and Northeast markets, and is expanding rapidly as it continues to gain interest from new partners, the company adds.

“There has been a recent increase in interest for premium craft soda, making this the perfect time for Jones Soda to launch our new margin-enhancing program,” said Jones Soda Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Cue in a statement. “From our traditional cane sugar cola and root beer to some of the more fun, signature flavors that we are so well known for like Berry Lemonade and Orange & Cream, our Jones fountain program has something to offer everyone. And with the inclusion of the iconic consumer photographs that we are so well known for showcased on the fountain equipment, we have created a fresh, custom program that truly sets us apart from standard, ordinary fountain programs. We are very proud to have partnered to date with some very like-minded foodservice innovators such as Glaze Teriyaki, Overwaitea Food Group, Voodoo Doughnuts, White Owl Social Club, Delicatus, Cheba Hut Toasted Subs, Flying Saucer Pizza, Fuddruckers, Nick’s Crispy Fried Tacos and soon to be available in Sumo Salads across Southern California. We look forward to expanding our craft fountain program as these foodservice concepts continue to expand and as larger foodservice operations look to more premium craft sodas as a real option.”

Ian McCormick of Glaze Teriyaki, which currently has locations in San Francisco and Manhattan and is planning new locations in other cities, said of the program: “Incorporating the Jones premium cane sugar soda fountain program has been a huge hit with our loyal Glaze fans as we expand our new QSR concept. We are excited to have been one of the first partners to offer a truly unique craft soda fountain offering. Glaze is a premium, high-quality teriyaki concept, and we consider it extremely important to offer our customers a unique but also higher-quality fountain offering with their meal.”