Locali Quick-Serve Chain Brings Healthy Menu To Vending

LOS ANGELES -- The health-focused quick-service restaurant chain here has kicked off a vending machine program aimed to bring organic and natural products to communities nationwide. Locali said it will start with the territories on both coasts, in Los Angeles and New York City, and move inward with its expansion.

"We see healthy vending as an opportunity to further our mission of encouraging sustainable convenience and thoughtful eating by setting our units up in schools, hospitals, airports and office buildings," explained Greg Horos, chief operating officer of Locali parent Be My Guest. "With so many people on the run, our curated retail eliminates the guesswork and offers the ability for consumers to choose quickly based on taste -- without worrying if they are making wrong choice for their bodies."

In line with Locali's new tagline -- Eat Smart. All Day -- the company said it plans to expand its offerings with Locali Healthy Kitchen, a vegan packaged food line; Locali Healthy Beauty, natural beauty items; and Healthy Nutrition, a line of supplements. Locali Healthy Convenience restaurants and markets and Locali On The Go vending machines will serve as retail points for these lines, in addition to wholesale distribution to independent vendors.

"We have been at the forefront of implementing cloud-based technologies at our locations and proactively engaging third-party delivery providers to ensure faster and wider access to what we offer," said Locali chief executive Melissa Rosen. "Healthy vending machines and our own product lines were the logical next steps. There is still an issue of access to healthier options. Locali aims to change that matter."

Locali, in its eighth year in business, has locations in Los Angeles, Hollywood and Venice. It serves soups, salads, sandwiches, snacks and smoothies with an emphasis on using certified organic ingredients, purified water and fair wage employment in its food preparation.