[icefox]

free soda is typically an indication of a place that has not yet become institutionalized. Most startups have this perk and at some point some manager comes in and kills it off for <insert reason of the week>. It is a sign that things are changing which often coincides with top talent moving off. A canary in a coal mine if you will that there might be good developers there.

[clofresh]

Yup, exactly. See also: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1007750

[bugsy]

I do agree with you that canceling soda programs means doom is assured and it's time to bail, as with a dead mine canary.

However, soda, coffee and toilet paper and soap in the bathroom are very small things. Listing them in an ad as one of the key benefits of working for a company is also a mine canary, one that says the company has very little to brag about.