News & Media From Elliot Maras

'Shawarma to go' comes to Maryland

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

After feeling the entrepreneurial itch to launch a shawarma restaurant, COVID-19 led to the addition of a shawarma vending machine for this immigrant…

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Micro markets, acquisitions position Treasure Valley Coffee’s rebound

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Micro markets have proven to be the most resilient part of Treasure Valley Coffee's multiple services during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Robotic pizza machine to offer 'face-to-pay,' app ordering

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Piestro, offering consumers the ability to pay with their face or on an app at a pizzeria, recently launched its second crowdfunding campaign and has the…

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Idaho powerhouse Treasure Valley Coffee charges forward

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Treasure Valley Coffee Inc., a multi-service operation based in Boise, Idaho, offers a role model for convenience services providers facing any number of…

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COVID-19: Just another one of the ‘ups and downs’ for veteran OCS operator

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Now in his 51st year in business, Charlie Ray has learned that a beverage service operator needs to be a consummate student of dispensing technology. COVID-1…

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Vancouver caterer expands into vending, prospers during pandemic

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Expanding into vending allowed a Vancouver caterer to retain most of his employees after COVID-19 required many of his customer locations to close.

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‘The Automat’ – a great read for those interested in convenience services, past, present and future

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

"The Automat" explores the history of an iconic vending innovation and chronicles its impact on society during the decades of its existence, an engaging read…

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Has pizza vending's time finally arrived? PizzaForno’s off to a good start

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Canadian entrepreneurs Will Moyer and Les Tomlin believe they have all the right ingredients for a successful pizza vending business: the right equipment…

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Who’s afraid of the pandemic? Not this convenience services startup

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The founders of Capital Provisions in Los Angeles have not let the pandemic deter plans to establish a convenience services operation utilizing…

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Vending machines will keep Valentine’s Day happy in Portland during COVID

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

When she had to close her restaurant's doors due to COVID-19, one entrepreneur installed vending machines to continue serving customers. The move has proved…

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Amusement/ATM operators unearth treasure-trove of ways to survive pandemic

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Amusement and ATM operators have pivoted their businesses to survive the pandemic, including selling gaming machines to homeowners, operating ATMs in cannabis…

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Why a veteran airport concessionaire sees a big future for automated retail

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-service retailing is expanding from office and travel products to numerous other product types, including CBD products that require age verification…

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Miami OCS firm pivots to weather COVID, hopeful for recovery

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

With a rich heritage in OCS, Juan and Albert Gonzalez believe they are well positioned to resume their growth once the pandemic subsides.

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We’ll miss you, 'coffee legend' Dean Gilland

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Dean Gilland , well known for his knowledge of the coffee service business and for helping people, recently passed away.

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Can self-service technology include a personal touch?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-service technology can do more than improve efficiency; it can help support a humanized environment and give consumers the choices they are looking for.

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Biometric ID verification versus consumer privacy: What's the solution?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

As biometiric technology has grown, consumer privacy laws make it critical for self-service devices to comply with these requirements. A panel during the…

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Convenience services cautiously optimistic about 2021

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-service providers generally agree the pandemic has raised awareness of the need for new ways to boost customer interaction, but the immediate question on…

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Fresh food vending’s time is here; pioneers explore why

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Technology and changing consumer needs are creating an opportunity for fresh food vending, an area long shunned by traditional vending operators due to cost…

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Beyond micro markets: Any product in any location

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Panelists from a range of industry backgrounds brainstorm the future of unattended retail in light of the pandemic, technology and greater consumer demand for…

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Self-Service Innovation Virtual Summit honors inaugural Innovation Awards winners

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The winners of the first Self-Service Virtual Innovation Awards were announced yesterday during the Self-Service Innovation Virtual Summit.

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