Vending has entered a new era defined by trusted, modern, data-driven solutions that employees actively seek out. On National Vending Day, we celebrate how far the industry has come and where it is going next. The priority today is clear: deliver a convenient, reliable, high-quality experience that feels intentional and dependable every time.
That spirit of progress is rooted in our beginnings. Aramark was founded by selling peanuts from the trunk of a car, building a small vending business grounded in service and reliability. Ninety years later, that same entrepreneurial mindset continues to shape how we innovate, operate, and serve workplaces every day.
At Aramark Refreshments, we operate as a connected system rather than a collection of machines. Our platform unites payments, access, inventory intelligence, service workflows, and economics, allowing us to integrate advanced technology while maintaining trust. The result is higher uptime, stronger product availability, and less waste. Our flexible portfolio is tailored to each workplace, combining smart vending solutions that reflect your footprint, culture, and traffic. We design for confidence and scale through operational excellence.
Ultimately, our people make the difference. Their expertise keeps systems stocked, trusted, and continuously improving. One of those experts, Marcel Winokur, Director of Innovation at Aramark Refreshments, shares his perspective on the future of 24/7 retail and how we are leading the way.
Q&A with Marcel Winokur, Director of Innovation, Aramark Refreshments
Q: How are you innovating based on customer expectations and satisfaction?
A: For years, vending was a gap filler. Useful, but not desired. That is changing fast. They expect their vending experience to work, be stocked, serve great food, and feel worth the price.
So, we start with confidence, not machines. Much of our innovation is operational. We focus on accuracy, availability, and quality at scale. If a solution improves accuracy, reduces waste, expands access, and simplifies service, that is innovation. Experiences do not scale without great operations. That is non-negotiable.
Q: How has the industry evolved, and what do workplaces expect now?
A: The benchmark is now modern retail and delivery. 24/7 markets raised expectations, and smart vending extends them with security, speed, and variety. Today, cashless is assumed, design matters, and food quality and assortment are decisive. Vending is visible and judged. It either evolves or it fades. Our clients expect intentional experiences that reflect their brand and support employee wellbeing, with measurable reliability and service.
Q: What are the most exciting opportunities ahead for vending?
A: The most exciting opportunity is for vending to become a true 24/7 dining and retail destination, not just a distribution channel.
To get there, we do not bet on one technology. We run a diversified portfolio that includes vision markets, smart coolers, weight-based AI, and hot food vending. Our job is not to chase the future, but to de-risk it so that when we scale, it truly works.
Q: In your view, what is the biggest differentiator of our vending technology?
A: A connected operating system for 24/7 retail, not a single piece of equipment. Placing a machine is easy. Running a high-performing network across locations is not. True scale requires alignment between technology, logistics, and field expertise. Our teams are essential to that equation, delivering rapid response, preventative service, and hands-on oversight that keep every location running smoothly and every experience consistently dependable.
Q: How does this approach elevate the overall foodservice experience?
A: Traditional vending is reactive. We are building something intentional. When the experience is trusted, behavior changes. Vending stops being the backup plan and becomes the place people go first. Whether it is a vision-based market that feels like retail, a smart cooler that expands fresh food with less waste, or hot food that delivers real meals without a kitchen or staff, the result is a 24/7 dining and retail experience that feels inevitable, not experimental.
Let us build a modern, data-driven program that your employees will actually seek out. Reliable, design-forward, and stocked with choices that fit your culture.
Contact Aramark Refreshments to explore what is possible.
