Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show

Self-Service Innovation Summit to highlight food vending for 4th year in a row

A session, 'Hot, Fresh Foods through Self-Service = Hotter Revenues,' will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 6 at the Loews Coral Gables in Miami.

Image: Kitchenmate

November 29, 2023

While offering customers hot food has long been one of the biggest challenges facing vending operators due to the cost required, food vending technology has improved in recent years, making it possible to provide vending machines that serve high quality food at the touch of a button.

For each of the past four years, the Self-Service Innovation Summit has presented sessions focusing on the opportunities food vending offers locations that want to provide employees and customers with high quality food without having to leave the workplace.

This year will be no exception. A session, "Hot, Fresh Foods through Self-Service = Hotter Revenues," will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 6 at the Loews Coral Gables in Miami. The session will be sponsored by Kitchenmate, a provider of technology that enables vending and micro-market operators to sell freshly-prepared hot meals using cutting-edge computer-vision smart-fridges, smart-cookers and a companion consumer app.

Yang Yu, CEO of KitchenMate, began his mission to make hot food more accessible as a micro market operator serving the Toronto area. He now licenses KitchenMate's technology to micro market and vending operators.

After launching in July 2022 in Toronto, KitchenMate has grown to over 100 locations, inside commercial lobbies and break rooms, hospitals, schools and apartments.

"After witnessing high customer satisfaction, repeat visits and increased micro market revenues, the natural next step in making hot meals more accessible was to partner with other leading micro market operators, starting with those in the U.S.," Yu said in a prepared statement. "Our micro market partners are able to leverage their existing food manufacturer partnerships and meal production capabilities while leveraging KitchenMate's technology platform and proprietary equipment to satisfy the craving for warm meals. They can enable fresh, hot food experiences without the need for labor and without jeopardizing meal quality."

Joining Yu on the panel is Josh Rosenberg, president and chief revenue officer at Just Baked Smart Bistro.

"Our technology enables the industry to gain share in the hot food category — traditionally a challenge for operators," Rosenberg said in a prepared statement. "We see an increase in total spend by driving foot traffic back to their locations for a greater share of wallet."

Offering an operator's perspective on hot food opportunities will be Mike Alkurdi, resident district manager, Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services, while Jason Fitch, director of auxiliary service, Nova Southeastern University, will give the location's perspective.

Elliot Maras, editor of Vending Times and Kiosk Marketplace, will moderate the session.

To register for he Summit, click here.