Regulation creep: 5 policy issues vending operators should watch in 2026

by Richard Slawsky

Taken individually, none of the policy issues is likely to upend the vending industry overnight. Taken together, though, they can reshape the economics of vending and unattended retail.

What we learned at the Automated Retail and Kiosk Innovation Show

As automation moves deeper into physical environments, companies need to plan early for installation, maintenance, repair, and ongoing upgrades across their entire footprint.

Five Star completes Krodel buy

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Five Star Breaktime Solutions has completed its acquisition of the vending and coffee operations of Jasper, Ind.-based Krodel Vending.

Vending

Vending machines service is the primary service for most convenience services operators. Vending usually refers to food and refreshment service machines, including candy/snack machines, cold beverage machines, hot beverage machines, refrigerated food machines and frozen food machines.