Foodservice

99 Spoons claims top spot in U.S. frozen dessert vending

Image courtesy 99 Spoons

August 27, 2026

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99 Spoons, a manufacturer and distributor of automated frozen dessert kiosks, says it has sold more than 350 machines and supports more than 200 independent operators in the U.S. and abroad, according to a press release. The Pasadena, California-based company says those figures make it the largest U.S. soft-serve and frozen yogurt vending company based on unit volume and operator count. Its machines have also been deployed in Saudi Arabia, Japan and Puerto Rico, with additional international installations planned.

Unlike a traditional franchise, 99 Spoons sells its equipment outright and does not charge franchise fees or royalties. Operators control their locations, branding and suppliers and retain their revenue, while paying the company a $49 monthly software fee for services including sales tracking, temperature monitoring, menu management and technical support. Machines start at about $17,000, while the company estimates total startup costs, including installation, training and initial supplies, at roughly $21,000 to $23,000. 99 Spoons also offers a Direct to Business program for restaurants, hotels, convenience stores and other businesses that want to operate kiosks at their own locations.

The automated kiosks can dispense soft serve, frozen yogurt, acai and gelato, along with three toppings and three syrups. According to the company, each unit requires about 30 minutes of restocking and cleaning per week. 99 Spoons says hospitals, hotels, shopping malls, military bases, universities, family entertainment centers and tourist attractions have been among its strongest-performing locations. The machines are Intertek certified and have passed health department inspections in multiple U.S. jurisdictions.