Robotic boba tea kiosk looks to get the jump on a bubbling hot product

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Bobacino machine automates both food preparation and self-service, a pairing the company sees as a new direction for commercial foodservice.

Micro markets lead convenience services rebound after pandemic-driven setback

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Micro markets, unattended stores that offer consumers open product shelving and automated cashless payment from a self-checkout kiosk, suffered the lowest loss…

Looking for sanitation products for hard surfaces? Options abound

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Providers of self-service equipment oftentimes find themselves under greater scrutiny when it comes to sanitation than in the pre-pandemic era.

4G and EMV upgrades complete?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-service equipment operators need to upgrade to 4G to continue offering contactless payments when the 2G and 3G networks are discontinued. They also need…

Don’t miss ‘Phygital: Where Physical and Digital Intersect’

The Self-Service Innovation Summit, being held Dec. 14-16 in Hollywood, Florida, will explore 'Phygital: Where Physical and Digital Intersect,' in a panel talk…

How 5 technologies are changing the self-service landscape

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A NAMA session explored five technologies that improve efficiency: artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber security, recognition validation and the European…

Payment options expand: What solutions are right for your customers?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel at the National Automatic Merchandising Association show at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans last week explored the opportunities…

How a shifting retail landscape challenges convenience services

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel of industry veterans tackled this question head on during a session at the NAMA show Wednesday in New Orleans: 'The future of convenience services: Are…

COVID just the latest challenge for one independent operator

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

An unexpected expansion into residential bottled water delivery enabled an independent convenience services operator to survive the pandemic.

Age verification taps blockchain to protect privacy for self-service customers

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Technology savvy employees at a gaming and hospitality technology hub are making age verified transactions from a newly installed vending machine.

Harm reduction supply machine helps those in need in Cincinnati

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Caracole, an HIV/AIDS service organization in Cincinnati, applied for and received a grant to support a vending machine to dispense harm reduction supplies…

Call for nominations for Self-Service Innovation Awards

The Self-Service Innovation Awards will honor the most innovative kiosk and vending solutions. Winners will be revealed at the Self-Service Innovation Summit…

Entrepreneurs bring PizzaForno pizza vending to the US

by Shelly Whitehead — Food Editor, Networld Media Group

A pair of Michigan entrepreneurs bring Canada based PizzaForno pizza vending business to the U.S.

Cold drinks drive Starbucks global growth, CEO defends China

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Overall, Starbucks had a solid Q3, but Johnson defended the company's lower-than-expected numbers in China, calling the health of the business there strong.

Diversification key to success for independent convenience services market leader

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Scott Halloran, CEO of Trolley House Refreshments in Richmond, Virginia, was able to sustain much of his foodservice business by expanding into a virtual…

Vending machine builds vegan diner following in Las Vegas

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

An entrepreneurial duo expanded their reach for their ghost kitchen late last year by introducing a vegan vending machine that offers vegan food 24/7.

Virtual reality’s ‘I-Phone Moment’ has arrived

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Consumer VR headset sales are "exploding" due to Oculus Quest 2, causing retail, entertainment and other venues to follow suit, consultant Bob Cooney noted in…

Hudson Group, Inspire Brands execs keynoting Self-Service Innovation Summit

Networld Media Group's first in-person Self-Service Innovation Summit, "The Future of Self Service," Dec. 14–16, at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood…

Sales success: Tell a good story

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

One of the keys to making sure the customer likes having you in front of him or her is to engage them with a story rather than boring them with facts about…

Amusement Expo back with a bang!

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Following a day of jam-packed educational sessions on Tuesday, attendees at the Amusement Expo International event hit the show floor Wednesday at the Las…