NAMA Archives - Supply Wizards

Ready-Made Food

One of the ideas that stood out was the big increase in ready-made food options. In past years, convenience wasn’t a major consideration, but now it is a top priority for busy workers. This shift has led to an increase in the variety of easy-to-prepare meals available. For example, Tyson showed off a variety of ready-to-go foods beyond just chicken sandwiches. This is to meet the growing need for easy and quick options. So what does this mean? We should give consumers more choices. And who doesn’t want more to pick from? Having more ready-made food will make the break room experience better.

New and Improved Tech

New technologies were a top highlight at the conference. It makes sense as the world becomes even more advanced and online. Companies like Roboburger and Farmers Fridge shared new smart vending solutions. These new models use automation to deliver fresh, high-quality meals on demand. Roboburger, for instance, can quickly make hot hamburgers or breakfast sandwiches. And it does this in just four minutes. It is perfect for places like airports, colleges, office break rooms, and hotels. These advancements are key trends that will change how people use vending machines. It’s a new world, and we must adapt!

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Health and Wellness

Another key trend was the focus on healthy snacks. There were many high-protein options. Things like yogurt bars, beef jerky, and energy drinks can cater to the growing demand for healthier food. There were fewer sugary treats, too. That means there is a clear shift to healthier choices. This is a response to what consumers want, and we have to move forward with them. So, think about putting healthy snacks in your vending machines. You can also put fresh food in your micro-markets.

Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. We offer online ordering and snack delivery. It makes getting healthy snacks easy for vending operators everywhere.

Fun Food Concepts

NAMA also showcased new and creative food ideas. They got creative with things that could change the market. Companies like Magic Cotton Candy presented unique and exciting snack options. This hints at a trend towards unconventional yet tasty food choices. These novel food concepts are refreshment trends that promise to attract and delight consumers. It’s great for people who are looking for something different.

The NAMA 2024 Conference gave a clear view of the future of convenience food. As the industry continues to change, we must stay flexible and proactive. This is needed to keep up with demand, but there’s good news. Supply Wizards can help.

We are excited to use these points to drive innovation and success in the ever-evolving vending and food service world. Contact us today to learn more!

There is a lot to learn about break rooms. So, we were happy to go to the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) Coffee Tea & Water Conference in Indianapolis. After all, these drinks are an important part of every epic break room. And choosing the best refreshment options has the power to improve the employee experience.

The meeting was full of knowledge, networking, and valuable lessons. We loved the keynote session about experience-driven workplaces. It had a lot of good info about employees going back to work. And that means the need for office coffee, office pantry, and water filtration services in the office. Therefore, it’s important to wow clients with great customer service and products. In this growing market, these things matter.

Keep reading for our key takeaways from the NAMA Coffee Tea and Water conference.

Workers Are Coming Back

During and after COVID-19, many workers got used to working from home. Well, that’s changing. In fact, John Boccuzzi, Jr., the Keynote Speaker at CTW, found that 59.1% of workers are going back to the office full-time. What does this mean? It means that Vending and OCS operators can be corporate office superheroes! Now more than ever, you can step up your game by offering coffee and office pantry services. You can do this by using the right technology and delivering the best customer experience.

Every Vending and OCS Operator should offer an easy process. It’s convenient for customers to order coffee and pantry products online, as it makes it easy to restock the break room. Gone are the days of taking orders over the phone or email. Instead, you should offer your customers a user-friendly online ordering platform. That’s where we come in!

Offer Unique and Authentic Interactions

Today’s marketplace is competitive. Therefore, you’ve got to stand out. How can you do this? Well, you can start by offering unique and authentic experiences. You should make every interaction with your customer count. Help your customers solve their “pain points” and make their jobs easier. As a Vending and OCS operator, you have one chance to make a good first impression! How you work with the client matters.

As a Vending and OCS operator, your focus should be on making the entire transaction a customer-centric one. Most of these people are looking for customer service and convenience in the process. For example, you can offer special deals to your customers. Trust us, they’re going to love it!

According to NAMA, technology matters

One of the main things we learned at NAMA is that technology plays a crucial role in your break room. Technology is being used to improve every aspect of the convenience services industry. This includes the production, distribution, and consumption. The result? An increase in online ordering. According to the Automatic Merchandiser’s 2022 State of the Industry Report, many operators have reported that business is improving even more in 2023. They also found that employers are willing to pay more for convenience services as incentives for workers returning to the office. And that’s where online ordering comes in.

If you’re still taking office coffee orders through emails or phone calls, you should consider upgrading to an online ordering system. Offering your customers the convenience of online ordering can give you a leg up from your competitors. You can even stand out by giving deals and promoting products online.

In addition, an online ordering system helps you grow revenue by doing the upselling for you with automated features. Customers will also more reliably place orders. If you don’t offer them an easy-to-use online ordering system, they might find someone who will. In other words, the time is now!

If you’re ready to delight your customers with a robust online ordering system, contact Supply Wizards for more information. Your customers will love it and your business will thrive.

Refreshment Trends: Key Takeaways from NAMA 2024 Conference