News & Media From Elliot Maras

Ghost kitchens for virtual food brands: an added foodservice revenue stream

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The ghost kitchen offers an opportunity for companies already operating a kitchen to expand their delivery sales to include 'virtual' food brands. Sisto Perez…

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ATM security: Best practices for independent operators

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Veteran ATM operators outlined safety and security measures, including having sufficient insurance, protecting physical assets, reconciling cash, meeting new…

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In Memoriam: Thank you for your service, Tim Sanford

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Tim Sanford, who recently passed away, was not only an industry journalist but a true industry historian.

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Amusement Expo trade show sizzles

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Amusement Expo International trade show packed attendees into the Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center as exhibitors presented a wealth of…

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Coffee outlook: Demand strong amidst faltering consumer confidence

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Consumers still want to spend money on coffee, but some product preferences are changing and external macroeconomic factors are concerning.

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‘Smart fridges’ today, automated drive-thru’s tomorrow?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The quest to build an automated pizza drive-thru led this entrepreneur to an opportunity to offer 'smart fridges' to provide worksite foodservice.

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Diversification pays in Upstate NY: full-line vending, amusements, OCS, ATMs

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Valley Vending Service in Plattsburgh, New York has found diversification a way to shift focus as business conditions change. Technology has played a key role…

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2023 Kiosk Marketplace Census: Post-pandemic recovery delivers 2nd consecutive growth year in 2022

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Growth in 2022 was driven by a convergence of rising consumer acceptance of self service, a recovering supply chain, a growing labor shortage, improving…

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How one rural Arkansas independent stays on a fast growth curve

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Since investing in vending management software nearly 10 years ago, Mike Kever has been able to build his small but highly profitable convenience services…

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Technology investment helps Texas operator recover from COVID

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

An investment in telemetry has paid off for this vending operator and hastened his company's recovery from COVID.

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Checkout-free market brings convenience, incremental sales to Dave & Buster’s

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Dave & Buster's in Hollywood, Florida teamed with The Coca-Cola Co. and Zippin to deploy a 'store within a store' and allow guests to buy food and beverages…

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Aisle 24: From vending to cashierless ‘grocery markets’

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Learning the convenience store business from the ground up, John Douang has developed a cashierless grocery market concept proving popular with education and…

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Self-service innovation emerges faster, but 2023 brings new challenges

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Thought leaders during the Executive Roundtable offered positive predictions for 2023 and beyond as consumer acceptance of self service reaches new levels.

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Art and science of tech transformation in convenience services: Lessons from the pioneers

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Introducing technology requires more than learning about new products, according to a panel of industry experts and operators. Instead, proactive operators…

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Self-service equipment finds more post-pandemic niches

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Post-pandemic, consumers want to return to stores, but they are also seeking an omnichannel experience that includes self-service equipment.

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Expanding into new services: Nuts and bolts

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Convenience services operators got a crash course on pivoting the business during COVID. Those lessons served them well when looking at new services to add in…

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Industry veteran Bob Hurley raises funds for charity along cross country bike ride

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Bob Hurley, his brother, Frank and a support driver biked across the country to raise money for charity. Hurley raised $18,000 for K9s for Warriors, which…

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How technology can redefine convenience services

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel of operators addressed the challenges and benefits of assessing and deploying new technology during the recent Self-Service Summit in Hollywood…

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How technology moves frictionless retail to a new level

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel of shopping technology providers presented innovations that eliminate customer friction during the CES show in Las Vegas.

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How to use category management in micro markets and vending

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Advances in category management software provide the tools to allow operators to have the most profitable product mix for both micro markets and vending…

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