Del Taco Testing 'Freestyle' Soda in Southern California

The popular Lake Forest-based Mexican fast food restaurant chain is testing out a new soda fountain in 12 sites in Southern California, it announced this week.

Del Taco is among the first restaurant chains that are offering the Coca-Cola Freestyle, as the new soda fountain is called, in Southern California.

The fountains are touchscreen operated, enabling people to select from more than 100 regular and low-calorie brands. The variety includes some waters, sports drinks, lemonades and sparkling beverages that were not available in this country before the introduction of the new dispenser.

"Del Taco's menu has always emphasized tremendous variety with both Mexican and American favorites. We are excited to expand on this variety with the Coca-Cola Freestyle test. We know our consumers will enjoy being able to customize their drinks like they customize their meals," said John Cappasola, Chief Brand Officer at Del Taco.

Del Taco, which has more than 525 restaurants in 17 states, selected 12 in cities relatively near its Lake Forest home base to try out the machine.

The Del Taco closest to Lake Forest testing out the machine is in Irvine, at 16211 Lake Forest Drive.

For a list of the other 11 Del Taco locations trying out the machine, visit www.facebook.com/coca-colafreestyle.