Slice Soda brings retro vending machines and 50¢ cans to Chicago

Slice Soda is making a fizzy comeback in Chicago, serving up 50¢ cans from coin-only vending machines and select Jewel-Osco locations. With flavors like Classic Cola and Orange, plus new functional benefits, this relaunch blends nostalgia with wellness.

Linda Becker

July 18, 2025

2 min read

Slice Soda brings retro vending machines and 50¢ cans to Chicago

A classic soda brand is leaning into its history even as it debuts for new generations with less sugar, fewer calories, no high fructose corn syrup, and a gut-friendly mix of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. Slice Soda, which debuted in 1984, has been reimagined and relaunched by maker Suja Life, maker of organic and cold-pressed juices and shots.

Tapping into nostalgia and wellness trends can drive foot traffic, trial, and sales in both traditional and non-traditional retail environments, especially in unattended retail settings.

Slice Soda returns to Chicago with vintage vending machines and better-for-you soda

Leaning into its nostalgic roots, Slice is inviting fans to rediscover its classic soda flavors, including Orange, Grape, Strawberry, Lemon Lime, Classic Cola, Ginger Ale, and Grapefruit Spritz, at vintage vending machines installed in the produce section of grocery store chain Jewel-Osco locations. Through July 22, Chicagoans can purchase Slice from coin-operated vending machines. Slice’s vending machines will also pop up at street festivals throughout Chicago, including the Wiener’s Circle, Roscoe Village Burger Fest and the Wicker Park Festival.

The brand also launched a limited-time radio station: 106.3 The Fizz FM is a “branded music experience” with retro-inspired DJ sets, developed with AI tools, looping a three-hour set of ’80s- and ’90s-style hits.

The Fizz FM is hosting a daily contest for fans to call in for the chance to win Slice prizes, just like a classic radio station. Daily winners will get fun swag and be automatically entered to win a year’s worth of Slice Soda.

About the Author

Linda Becker

Editor-in-Chief

Linda Becker is editor-in-chief of Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com. She has more than 20 years of experience in B2B publishing, writing, editing and producing content for magazines, websites, webinars, podcasts, newsletters and eBooks, primarily for manufacturing and process engineering audiences. Since joining Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com, Linda has developed a new appreciation for the convenience services industry and the essential role it plays. She is dedicated to serving readers by covering the latest news in the vending, office coffee service and micro market industry. She can be reached at 262-203-9924 or [email protected].