Connected Equipment Marks Shift in Foodservice Technology f'real by Rich's is expanding its back-of-house Blend n' Serve Program with the introduction of a high-powered, connected blender and two new frozen beverage flavors: Orange Creamsicle® Milkshake and Frozen Lemonade. The new blender features Smart Blending Technology with a color touchscreen, easy-to-navigate menus, and adjustable thickness settings. The equipment supports remote updates, includes an app and portal to track blender status and history, and offers remote service and support—signaling a broader foodservice shift toward data-enabled, cloud-connected back-of-house equipment.

Simplified Operation and Equipment Design The new blender features a powerful and quiet motor, streamlined design, and intuitive user interface. A mix-in mode pauses mid-blend to allow operators to add inclusions like candy, chopped baked goods, or liquids. Operation is straightforward: Place a cup in the blender, press start, remove it, and clean the spindle. No measuring, scooping, or pouring is required. The machine eliminates traditional labor bottlenecks in frozen beverage preparation.

Market Drivers: Consumer Demand for Frozen Beverages f'real by Rich's is expanding its back-of-house Blend n' Serve Program to address rising consumer appetite for frozen blended drinks. According to the Foodservice IP Beverage Survey (March 2026), 31% of consumers replace meals with frozen blended beverages, while 19% drink them as treats or indulgences. Additionally, 83% of consumers say they love or like milkshakes, and 59% had ice cream or a shake at least once in the last week, per the Datassential Keynote Report, Desserts, 2026.

New Flavors Expand Menu Flexibility The Orange Creamsicle® Milkshake, made in partnership with Good Humor®, combines smooth vanilla and bright orange citrus flavor. The Frozen Lemonade is f'real's first non-dairy Blend n' Serve offering, featuring real lemon juice (10%) and a smooth, slushy-style consistency. Lemonade appears on 60% of foodservice menus, and 80% of consumers love or like it, according to the Datassential SNAP Lemonade Report. Both flavors arrive frozen in pre-portioned 16-ounce cups, packed 12 per case, with a shelf life of 547 days when frozen.

Operational Benefits for Foodservice Operators "Demand for frozen blended beverages continues to rise as consumers seek indulgent, customizable drink experiences," says Alyssa Barrett, Senior Customer Marketing Manager, Rich Products. "Our Blend n' Serve Program is the optimal solution for limited-service restaurants who want to offer frozen specialty beverages without adding labor or complexity. They can create shakes, smoothies, bowls, frappes, cocktails, and more with the touch of a button." For convenience stores and limited-service restaurants, the Blend n' Serve Program reduces labor complexity and equipment learning curves while enabling operators to serve high-margin customizable frozen beverages. Operators can also create blended beverages using a standard f'real shake base and seven existing Blend n' Serve varieties: Vanilla Shake, Chocolate Shake, Oreo Shake, Strawberry Shake, Mango Smoothie, Strawberry/Banana Smoothie, and Coffee Frappe. Operators can customize drinks further by adding purees, powders, syrups, protein, candy, cookies, alcohol, and toppings.

For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.

Written by FBM Publications Editors