Cold cascading beverage dispensers
The most cost-efficient, fastest way into dispensed-beverage margin. A bubbler costs far less than a frozen machine, fits a small counter, and still earns ~$1.64 gross profit per cup on juice, tea, lemonade and horchata. Lowest investment, quick payback.
Not ready for frozen beverages? A cold bubbler is one of the easiest ways to enter the high-margin dispensed beverage category. With a small footprint, low investment, and simple operation, bubblers make execution easy while eye-catching product display helps drive purchases.
Multi-bowl models offer multiple flavors, while milk-compatible units support beverages like horchata. Crathco's range of sizes and configurations makes it easy to match your menu, space, and volume needs.
No More Refilling. No More Downtime. Crathco Simplicity Bubbler® Autofill Lids automate cold beverage programs by monitoring bowl volume through an integrated lid sensor and adding product whenever needed. With everything operators have to deal with, isn't it cool that Autofill ensures your Bubblers are consistently full and fresh all day long?
The bubbler line-up
Bubblers feature 2.4- or 4.75-gallon bowls to meet beverage dispensing needs. Easy-Off Bowl Release System - for faster and easier assembly and disassembly
Easy-clean bubbler with BPA-free bowl options and energy-efficient R290 refrigeration. Interchangable bowl configurations create the beverage system perfect for your operation.
Replace your current Bubbler lid with the Autofill Lid System. Cold/non-carbonated dispensed offerings will always be fresh and available, Great for BIB and in-house concentrate programs.
Bubbler ROI snapshot
Defaults below are illustrative and pre-set for a bubbler (40 cups/day, lower machine cost). Adjust, then open the full calculator to model annual profit .
Illustrative estimate, not a guarantee.
Crathco has a Bubbler for every operation
The bubbler is the lowest-cost entry; step up to frozen as your volume and ambitions grow.
| Factor | Classic Pro | Simplicity |
|---|---|---|
| Best Positioning | Compact, flexible bubbler platform for stores that need dependable cold beverage service with efficient footprint and easy cleaning. | User-friendly, efficient bubbler platform for operators prioritizing simple operation, easy cleaning, and secure everyday service. |
| Best-Fit Operator | Convenience stores, foodservice locations, or small-footprint counters that want flavor variety without giving up much counter space. | High-traffic or self-serve environments where ease of use, practical upkeep, and tamper-resistant lid security matter. |
| Capacity/Bowl Strategy | 2.4 and 4.75 gallon bowls, multiple configurations | 2.4 and 4.75 gallon bowls, multiple configurations |
| Menu Fit | Fresh juices, teas, coffees, lemonades, aguas frescas, and other chilled non-carbonated beverages. | Fresh juices, teas, coffees, lemonades, and chilled non-carbonated beverages where consistent temperature and simple operation are priorities. |
| Footprint Story | Strong choice when counter space is tight; Mini-Twin is positioned as a compact 10.5-inch-wide option. | Strong choice when operators need a clean, simple, standardized platform across different foodservice environments. |
| Cooling/ Consistency | High-efficiency cooling system, high-performance pump, and advanced agitation help support fast cooling and lower foaming. | Innovative air intake system supports rapid cooling and consistent beverage temperatures. |
| Primary Decision Trigger | Choose Classic Pro when space efficiency, flexible configurations, cup clearance, and easy-off bowl cleaning are key. | Choose Simplicity when operational simplicity, consistent temperatures, BPA-free/locking lid options, and everyday self-serve use are key. |
The lowest-cost dispensed-beverage equipment, bubblers provide the easiest entry into the beverage market. They are generally well below a frozen machine, with single-bowl units most affordable and triple-bowl configs costing more. That low entry price is the appeal. Treat figures as illustrative; your quote provides Crathco pricing.
It's the cheapest, fastest on-ramp to dispensed-beverage margin: lower equipment cost than frozen, a smaller footprint, and no freezing curve. You capture similar per-cup margins on juice, tea, lemonade and horchata while spending far less up front, so payback can be quick even at modest volume.
Juices, iced teas, lemonade, aguas frescas like horchata, and other cold drinks; some models also handle coffee. Classic bubblers are milk-safe, which widens the menu. Match bowl count to how many flavors you want to run.
Cold dispensed drinks carry margins similar to frozen. On illustrative numbers — about $1.99 retail and $0.35 product cost that's roughly $1.64 gross profit per cup. Because the equipment costs less, even 40 cups a day pays a bubbler back quickly.
No-obligation quote