Automatic Merchandiser would like to thank everyone who submitted a nomination for our Readers’ Choice awards for vending, micro market and office coffee service, as well as to those who took the time to cast their vote for their most successful or most requested products, solutions and equipment.
The following winners and runners-up received the most reader votes as the most popular new offerings in 2023.
Healthy Snack
Winner: Oh Snap! Cranberry Sweeties
Oh Snap! has done it again with more healthy goodness and real naturally sweetened fruit in a convenient single-serve pouch. It starts with plump cranberries, removing the tart juice and then infusing them using a proprietary process, with real fruit juices and natural flavors. Cranberry Sweeties aren’t only delicious, they are also gluten-free, fat-free, vegan and only 50 calories for guilt-free snacking. With consumers continuously looking for healthier and better-for-you options, Sweeties are a great snack on their own or as a tasty complement to salads, yogurt, oatmeal and more.
Runner-up: Dave’s Killer Bread Bars
Experience the irresistible blend of taste, texture and nutrition from a leading organic bread brand, Dave’s Killer Bread from Flowers Foods, in convenient grab-and-go snack bars. Indulge in three fantastic flavors: Cocoa Brownie Blitz, Trail Mix Crumble, and Oat-Rageous Honey Almond. Non-GMO and USDA organic, Dave’s Killer Bread believes that you don’t have to sacrifice taste to get organic, whole grain nutrition.
Protein & Meat Snack
Winner: Jack Link’s Sasquatch Size Beef & Cheese Combo
Skip the boring snack-time repetition with a portable Sasquatch Size Jack Link’s Beef & Cheese Combo. With bold, smoky flavors, it’s sure to awaken the tastebuds and satisfy any appetite. Jack Link’s beef sticks are made with 100% beef, marinated with hints of garlic and black pepper and then smoked over real hardwood – a perfect balance to complement the rich, velvety real Wisconsin cheese. The new craveable 2.45-oz combos are available in Original and Jalapeno flavors.
Runner-up: Trail’s Best Beef and Salami Triple Sticks
Monogram Foods introduces two new 1.5-oz triple meat sticks: triple salami and triple beef. These exciting new items are high in protein and will deliver incremental sales and profits to both vending and micro market channels. Trail’s Best has long been a leader in high-quality protein snacks for the vending industry.
Salted Snack
Winner: Corn Nuts 4 oz Mexican Street Corn
Corn Nuts Mexican Street Corn from Hormel Foods is bursting with bold flavor and a satisfying crunch for the ultimate snack-time experience that keeps consumers coming back for more. These fun-to-eat flavored Corn Nuts Kernels deliver a savory, on-trend flavor profile that consumers love.
Runner-up: Uncle Ray’s All Dressed Obsession Potato Chips
Uncle Ray’s All Dressed Obsession Potato Chips offer a smooth blend of tomato, onion and vinegar that satisfies the senses. Starting with the highest-quality ingredients and bringing them together with care helps uncover the real magic. Starting out, Uncle Ray’s kept it simple and continues to do so today.
Cold Beverage
Winner: Karma Energy Water
Karma Energy Water revolutionizes refreshment with its groundbreaking blend of 150mg natural caffeine, Cognizin Citicoline, adaptogens and vitamins. Designed for those craving a balanced boost, this beverage sets itself apart with a commitment to clean ingredients – free from artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and preservatives. Each sip delivers a refreshing and invigorating experience, ensuring a perfect synergy of natural energy and mental clarity. With 100% daily value of vitamin C and B-complex, Karma Energy Water stands out as an essential companion for those prioritizing holistic well-being.
Runner-up: Two Bears Canned Coffee Beverages
US Products introduced Two Bears Canned Coffee Beverages. Two Bears has honed its craft in roasting the finest beans, crafting flash-brewed non-dairy frothed lattes and creating delectable unsweetened oat milks, so every sip is a moment to savor. Inspired by the wonders of nature and proudly representing its Canadian heritage, Two Bears has a commitment to innovation, breaking boundaries and achieving excellence.
Cookie & Pastry
Winner: Mars Ice Cream M&M’s Cookies & Cream Sandwich
M&M’S Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches are a deliciously fun and colorful way to enjoy a cold novelty treat. The nostalgic taste of cookies and cream ice cream is sandwiched between two scrumptious chocolate cookies covered with M&M’S Minis Milk Chocolate Candy – perfect for any snacking occasion. M&M’S Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches are one of the newest innovations released in 2023 as part of the expanding ice cream portfolio and currently a new, leading frozen novelty item in convenience services.
Runner-up: Little Debbie Cookies & Creme Brownies
An irresistible blend of fudgy goodness and cookie crumbles, Little Debbie Cookies & Creme Brownies are a delectable creation from Little Debbie and feature fudgy brownies covered in white icing and topped with chocolatey cookie crumbles. These individually wrapped delights are tailor-made for vending machines, pantries and micro markets.
OCS Product
Winner: Hershey’s Hot Chocolate
Sunny Sky Products – a producer of dispensed beverage solutions offering hot, cold, frozen and beverage enhancer products – brings consumers the iconic flavor of a Hershey’s chocolate bar in a cup. Made with Hershey’s cocoa, this drink will fulfill any consumer’s chocolate cravings, perfect for chocolate lovers everywhere. Level up your cocoa with Hershey’s Hot Chocolate.
Runner-up: Lavazza x Rifle Paper Co. Holiday Blend
Lavazza and Rifle Paper Co. partnered in 2023 to bring something more special than just a cup of great coffee. An omni-channel launch across retail, e-commerce, foodservice and OCS (in Flavia’s Freshpack), Lavazza Holiday Blend featured Rifle Paper Co. co-founder and CCO Anna Bond’s hand-painted illustrations including a city holiday scene and the colors of the Italian flag. The collaboration combined the festive holiday spirit of Rifle Paper Co. with Lavazza’s expert craftsmanship and premium coffee to bring a special coffee blend with notes of toasted almond and warm spice to sip in the holiday season.
OCS Equipment
Winner: Coffea X-DUO
Introducing the Coffea X-DUO, a revolutionary coffee and tea machine designed to elevate a consumer’s beverage experience. Boasting a cutting-edge patented vacuum brewing system, this innovative brewer seamlessly blends the rich aroma of Coffea coffee with the delicate flavors of premium teas. Users can enjoy the convenience of dual functionality, effortlessly switching between their favorite coffee or tea selection (hot and iced) with the touch of a button. The sleek and compact design of the X-DUO complements any modern OCS, while its user-friendly interface ensures a hassle-free brewing process. With the Coffea X-DUO, technology meets taste for the ultimate beverage indulgence.
Runner-up: Flavia Creation 300 + Chill Refresh
Lavazza introduced the Flavia Creation 300 + Chill Refresh, a mid-sized all-in-one workplace beverage system that crafts both hot and cold café-style beverages including coffee, tea, lattes, hot chocolate, cold brew coffee, flavor-infused waters and more. With the Flavia Chill Refresh, no ice is needed to make cold, refreshing drinks. The Flavia Creation 300 + Chill Refresh has a compact footprint and smart technology to keep up with mid-sized workplaces and spaces, while its intuitive digital interface makes it easy to craft rich beverages calibrated for perfectly balanced flavor.
Food
Winner: Raybern’s Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich
Raybern’s upgraded Chicken Bacon Ranch sandwich boasts thinly sliced white meat chicken on luscious pretzel bread, creating an elevated taste sensation. The chicken, carved with precision, seamlessly blends with smoky bacon, ranch dressing and gooey cheddar cheese. Handcrafted, individually wrapped and microwave-ready, this sandwich offers versatile delight for lunch, dinner or on-the-go snacking. Raybern’s Chicken Bacon Ranch is the epitome of balance and convenience, promising to satisfy cravings with its perfectly crafted and irresistibly flavorful composition.
Runner-up: Smucker’s Uncrustables 5-Day Shelf Life
Indulge in the timeless goodness of Uncrustables frozen PB&J sandwiches – no prep, no mess and no crust. Whether it’s lunchtime, snack time or beyond, these delightful sandwiches offer a hassle-free treat. Choose from grape jelly or strawberry jam options, all served on wheat bread, providing a delicious twist. Now, with a generous 5-day shelf life, they’re a convenient and tasty choice for any occasion.
Equipment
Winner: Máka Mia Pizza Automated Pizza Machine
Máka Mia Pizza introduced its new Mia V4.5 Robotic Pizza Shop in the U.S. market. This new process serves pizza in less than three minutes using Máka Mia’s proprietary ingredients and recipe with precision robotics. The Robotic Pizza Shop features two hearth ovens that will cook and serve pizzas in less than three minutes, without human assistance. The automated store is designed for retailers with significant foot traffic, including college and university communities, airports, hotels, amusement parks, convenient stores, and stadiums and sports facilities.
Runner-up: CoolBlu FLEX
AVS Connect introduced the innovative CoolBlu FLEX, a versatile double-door cooler option that offers a cost-effective ownership experience. Whether you need a dedicated cold beverage merchandiser or a combination ambient/refrigerated cooler for smaller to mid-sized spaces, CoolBlu FLEX delivers. With its dual-locking doors, there are endless placement possibilities. The cooler is NAMA-certified, ensuring top-notch quality and reliability. Plus, all CoolBlu FLEX coolers come prepped to seamlessly integrate with AVS Connect, Cooler Café, Pico, and Savant devices, making it a smart choice for businesses seeking a convenient, connected refrigeration solution.
Candy
Winner: Ghirardelli Impulse Bar
Ghirardelli takes pride in its time-honored tradition and passion for crafting premium, high-quality chocolate. The delightful harmony of creamy, slow-melting milk chocolate and indulgent, buttery caramel filling is now available in a 2-square Impulse bar – a delectable testament to its commitment to excellence – and perfect for vending and beyond.
Runner-up: Haribo Goldbears 2oz
Haribo Goldbears new Snack Pack feature the unmistakable original that have delighted fans around the world since 1922 but now in a vendable 2-oz size. With flavors ranging from pineapple to strawberry, the five colorful Goldbears represent one thing above all else: irresistible joy that’s fun to share.
Micro Market Solutions
Winner: EasyTrade program by Easy Ice
The EasyTrade program by Easy Ice empowers convenience services operators to ditch the hassles of ice machine ownership by trading up their existing ice equipment. Easy Ice will pay fair market value for used ice equipment and help convenience services companies every step of the way when transitioning their ice equipment to an Easy Ice subscription. The subscription model ensures that operators always have the right ice equipment for their customers’ individual needs and allows them to concentrate on their core business without worrying about losses due to inevitable (and expensive) equipment issues.
Runner-up: U-Select-It’s Scan & Go Market
U-Select-It’s Scan & Go Market streamlines the purchasing experience for consumers with a seamless checkout experience, while providing a level of product security for operators. This innovative hybrid approach is ideal for almost any type of location. Scan & Go Market represents a significant evolution in self-service retail, providing consumers with convenience and empowerment while ensuring a level of product security needed for operators to maximize profit.
Technology
Winner: 365 Retail Markets’ MM6 Mini Kiosk
365 Retail Markets’ MM6 Mini kiosk packs maximum versatility and a premium consumer experience into a mid-range form factor. Its size is perfectly suited to serve smaller locations or be clustered together to improve throughput in larger ones. Options for wall or countertop mount, as well as cashless and cash payments, further address a location’s unique needs. A feature-rich application choice of micro market, dining or hybrid consumer self-checkout gives operators the ultimate deployment flexibility. An ample 15.6" screen size helps consumers easily navigate transactions, view offers and access their market account, while a durable design and easy serviceability keep locations online.
Runner-up: SMRT1 Health POD
SMRT1 Health POD from SMRT1 Technologies combines traditional vending and adds a 49" touchscreen to provide a completely interactive healthcare experience to provide both retail and free products. Combined with anonymous interaction data, the dispensing analytics can be accessed remotely anytime for oversight of inventory, machine status and business operations.
.You can find all of these products in the Product Guide
