What’s better than a hot meal on a cold day? We can think of a few things, but that’s up there! Hot food vending machines are on the rise, and they make it so easy to have a more substantial meal on the go without going through a drive-thru.
Hot Food Vending Machines: It Started With The Automat
What was once the largest restaurant chain in the United States, Automats blended the concepts of a cafeteria and a vending machine. Their walls featured rows of glass-fronted compartments, each containing a single plate of food.
A newspaper from 1902 described the experience like this: “Anything from a sandwich to an oyster stew may be obtained by dropping the necessary coin in a slot... the food will be displayed in long glass compartments. You see what you want, and by dropping a coin into the aperture beside the desired dish and pulling a lever, the mechanism starts to work and delivers a sandwich, a piece of pie, or whatever the order may call for.”
Besides meals, Automats included coin-operated dispensers for beverages like coffee and chocolate milk, and theft also had open seating reminiscent of cafeteria dining. So we’ve come a long way from there, but hot food vending machines are still very popular.
Related Content: Vending Machine History: How it All Got Started
Technology Driving Hot Food Vending Machines
Modern hot food vending machines are powered by impressive technology designed to enhance the products' quality and the user experience. Touchscreens make it easy for customers to browse menus, customize their orders, and even gain access to nutritional information.
Cashless payment options, including credit cards and mobile wallets, make payments quick and easy. On top of that, it’s what today’s consumers expect. While cash is always king, today’s younger consumers do everything on their phones, and hot food vending machines keep up with the trend.
Some machines even integrate artificial intelligence to predict customer preferences, optimize inventory, and reduce waste. Additionally, Internet of Things (IoT)-)-enabled systems allow operators to monitor the machines remotely, ensuring timely restocking and maintenance. This of course, depends on your location and your specific operator, but your managed vending service provider can help you out!
Related Content: Office Coffee Services: (Office coffee is also great for cold weather!)
Where to Find Hot Food Vending Machines
Hot food vending machines can be placed in a variety of locations. They make sense in the office, on college campuses, hospitals, airports, and warehouses. Anywhere where people are going to want a quick, hot snack makes sense, especially if they are unable to cook or go to a local restaurant.
Hot food vending machines make total sense for most businesses. They help keep employees and customers satisfied, ultimately leading to an overall improved experience. Having hot food available without a cafeteria is an economical way to provide a valuable service in areas with limited dining options or short time.
The Future of Hot Food Vending
Hot food vending is only going to continue to get better. Technology allows us to explore more sophisticated dishes affordably. They are also becoming more eco-friendly, with amenities like biodegradable packaging and more energy-efficient operations.
We’re also seeing more customization options and faster operations, making a hot meal on the go easier than ever. Some companies include Just Baked and Pizza Forno. In areas where fast food options are limited, hot food vending machines will continue to be a “HOT” commodity! Especially during colder months or in specific colder locations, people appreciate a quick, easy, hot meal.
The next time you’re on the go, keep an eye out for a hot food vending machine. It’s a convenient, innovative solution that blends the nostalgia of the Automat with today's cutting-edge technology.
