News & Media From Elliot Maras
Why 2 veteran vending operators support AI
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
A pair of vending industry veterans describe their cumbersome data gathering practices for trying to determine what product changes to make in their machines.
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Texas operator survives pandemic setback with leasing, repairs and creative energy
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
While he admits the coronavirus is the biggest setback his business has faced to date, Chris Rodriguez is finding new ways to serve customers. He has expanded…
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Office coffee service in the age of coronavirus: opportunity exists
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
Researchers don't believe the OCS market will be recovering from the coronavirus soon. But by understanding new customer needs, operators can recover some of…
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Coin shortage: both burden and benefit for vending
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
While the coin shortage caused by COVID-19 has inconvenienced some self-service equipment operators, others believe it has exacerbated the consumer’s adoption…
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Safety tops customer concerns about amusement game centers
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
The fact that less than a third of the respondents to a customer survey said they have no concerns about visiting the venues indicates amusement machine…
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Xavier combines self-service with attendants to ensure a safe foodservice operation
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
The university is betting that self-service in combination with manual staffing will provide a sanitary meal experience for students.
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Will COVID-19 redefine convenience services?
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
Convenience services operators must use the present downtime to get up to speed on the safety tools they can use to allow customer locations to reopen under…
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Gameworks reopening: transparency, empathy and sanitation
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
Gameworks went as far as to write and post a "staff and vendor health declaration," in both English and Spanish as part of its reopening strategy.
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Workplace safety innovation lets loose
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
The self service industry's response to the "new normal" began as soon as quarantines were announced in early spring. The momentum has since escalated.
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Safety measures bring positive customer reviews for Xtreme Action Park reopening
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida revamped its facility, used the downtime to train employees on new sanitation and installed extensive signage to…
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A new day dawns for fresh food vending
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
The recent expansion of fast casual restaurant chains into vending as a way to strengthen their brands and reach more customers marks a new era for fresh food…
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How to navigate the new office coffee service landscape
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
The new OCS landscape requires flexibility, communication and an openness to new customer needs, according to a panel of experts during a NAMA webinar.
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OCS operators strain for signs of improvement
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
The office customer base has been one of the hardest hit since the lockdowns began for convenience services operators, and comments from several operators…
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Feds make forgivable PPP loans easier to navigate
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
The federal government recently introduced simplified PPP loan application form is part of an effort to make the PPP loan easier for companies to use since the…
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Micro markets’ sanitation case over vending
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
In response to concerns over COVID-19, micro market providers argue that micro markets are actually more sanitary than vending machines.
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Pandemic reopenings may be premature; why self-service needs to step forward
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
Higher coronavirus hospitalizations in some states could get out of control unless robust tracing measures are deployed, and a slowdown in long awaited…
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Game machine operators upbeat about future, plan changes
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
The LAI Games State of the Industry report finds most game machine operators planning big changes in their businesses as they reopen.
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Starbucks closing 400 stores
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
Over the next 18 months, Starbucks will increase convenience-led formats in company-operated locations with drive-thru and curbside pickup options, as well as…
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Pandemic safety question: Vending machines versus micro markets?
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
Are vending machines more sanitary than micro markets because the latter system presents products in open containers, allowing more customers to touch them?
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'Smart fridge' vending helps build fast casual restaurant brand, offers a convenient alternative
by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times
After testing a "smart fridge" last year, Coolgreens established a division that includes a marketing staff and service organization. The alternative service…
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