Vending

Zhilai adds multi-pickup hot food machine to smart retail lineup

Image courtesy Zhilai

September 23, 2026

Summarize with

Shenzhen, China-based Zhilai has expanded its automated retail portfolio with a vending machine designed to refrigerate, heat and dispense prepared meals, according to a press release. The machine holds as many as 88 packaged meals in a carousel maintained below 4 degrees Celsius, or about 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and uses programmable microwave heating to serve an order in about 60 seconds.

The system features a 49-inch touchscreen and six temporary compartments that keep completed orders separated until customers collect them. It also supports remote ordering and multiple customers checking out at the same time, a design intended to help operators manage concentrated demand during lunch periods and other peak service times.

Zhilai is positioning the machine for hospitals, colleges, factories, offices, airports and transportation hubs seeking meal service beyond staffed operating hours. Available payment integrations include Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay and Apple Pay, while remote management tools allow operators to monitor the unattended food-service operation.