Mark Vend

2012 introduced the ipad3, the ipad mini, iphone5, the world’s slimmest digital camera, designer 3D glasses, laptops that can flip to notebooks and security systems that can be controlled remotely thru smartphones. As exciting as these things are they don’t even begin to comprise the entire tip of the iceberg of technological advancements that made up 2012.

You may wonder why a blog on technology is the topic for Chicago’s vending service, but the truth is just as one man’s step on the moon was a step for all mankind, advancement for MAC (or any other software/technology company) has been advancement for all, including Mark Vend. As technology becomes more and more prominent in today’s world, vending throughout Chicago refuses to be left behind. Take a look at a few of the major advancements made in the worlds of technology and vending in 2012:

Payment Options – Credit/Debit card readers and bill recyclers now make it possible for people to purchase a snack/beverage without digging thru their office desk for spare change.  With larger bills being accepted and the endless funds that come with credit, customers can now make multiple selectionss on one transaction. And now that change is no longer a constraint vending companies can also offer higher end products that may have been too costly before.

Telemetry – With the use of WIFI/remote monitoring vendors can know exactly what has sold and what needs replenished throughout businesses in Chicago. The benefits: your machines are always filled with the products you love while your Chicago Vending Service sends out more efficient routes as man time and gas costs are lowered.

Touchscreens – Allow consumers to view nutrition facts before making a purchase, sometimes offering a 3D view of the product. In addition to aiding in educated purchasing decisions, touchscreens are also creating a more interactive experience between consumer and vending machine where customers can engage with other customers and even gift purchases to friends.

Social Media – Now you can use your phone for so much more than placing a service call including, purchasing product, gifting products, checking nutrition facts and sharing your experience on social networks like Facebook, Yelp, and Twitter.

These are just a few of the technological advancements made in the vending industry, and leave out (due to space) things like warehouse advancements such as Lightspeed picking systems that aid in pre-kitting. But it’s enough to show that technology is not a guest in the vending world but a permanent resident. If you have any questions about the items listed above, contact Chicago’s leading Vending Provider, Mark Vend at (847) 291-9216 and see where they‘re at in implementing these technologies.

For more information on the technological advancements made in the vending industry in 2012 visit www.vendingtimes.com and look up the article “A New Day A New Year,” the original article where these advancements were first noted.

According to Forbes.com some of the most popular holiday gift hits for 2012 included:  televisions, clothes, tablets, single cup coffee machines, and Barbie (yes, the girl’s still got it). Not so surprisingly Pepsi 20oz bottles didn’t make the list. However, with new Pepsi vending machines showing up in malls across America they might make it onto Forbes list for 2013.

Pepsi is launching a state-of-the-art interactive vending machine in 5 malls in 5 states across the country including: South Carolina, Oregon, Georgia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Thru this vending machine you’ll be able to send a gift to a family member, friend, co-worker, etc. simply by purchasing a beverage and then choosing to “send” it to the lucky person’s email. Here they’ll receive a promo code that they can redeem at any Pepsi Interactive Vending machine.

But more than a standard vending machine, where regular thirsty patrons can grab a drink and more than a fun way to send a special treat to your favorite person, these interactive vending machines will also act as games where mall patrons can use the interactive touch screen to compete against each other for a free beverage. However if you want to play you first have to purchase a standard 20oz beverage (it’s just like playing at an arcade except for this time your quarters give you a prize before you play).

So let’s recap. These interactive beverage vending machines are: beverage dispensers, gift givers and gamer units. But wait. There’s still more.

In addition to all that’s listed above the machine’s on demand viewing unit will play Pepsi commercials, other promotions and nutritional information for Pepsi beverages with the touch of the screen.

Finally if your phone dies while shopping you’ll be able to go to the Pepsi Interactive Vending machine for help. No, it doesn’t act as a phone (don’t be silly) but it does have specialty AC power outlets and USB ports so that patrons can charge their mobile devices directly from the machine.

These beverage vending machines are still in a pilot launch so vending companies will not be able to deliver them at your place of business any time soon. But you should call Mark Vend and ask about the ways they are advancing their technology capabilities and what social media outlets Mark Vend offers.  Mark Vend might not have a machine that acts as a TV, game system, charging unit, nutritional advisor, but they are sure to have state-of-the-art vending machines that meet your break room needs. Call Mark Vend today at (847) 291-9216.

If you’d like to read more on these state-of-the-art machines you can view more information at www.pepsiinteractivevending.com

With frost on the windows and a cold nip in the air you might not think about visiting the freezer aisle. But if you work up a sweat chipping ice off your windshield and a need a cold snack or a hearty meal and don’ t have time to leave for the store, consider asking your Mark Vend for a frozen food vending machine.

If you’re scrunching up your nose as visions of old fashioned TV dinners and cheap oil filled burritos dance through your head, you can relax!

Frozen entrees have evolved quite a ways since they were first introduced in the 1930s.

Today frozen meals include a large variety of healthy, tasty and quality options brought to you by name brands you love including: Marie Calendar’s , White Castle, Lean Cuisine, Red Baron and Tony Roma’s.  Some of their most popular selections include:

• Pot Pies
• Ice Cream Bars
• Frozen Dinners
• Pizza
• Asian Cuisine
• Hamburgers
• Hot Dogs
• Pasta
• Panini Sandwiches
• Tacos

With such a large variety of meal and dessert options, there is something for everyone at your Chicago office.

In addition to offering delicious and healthy alternatives, frozen food machines meet a couple other needs including:

1. The ability to provide food to employees when your Chicago location doesn’t have enough on site staff to warrant a fresh food machine
2. Quick meal options so employees can enjoy breaks without spending their time in transit to and from the store

Now if you are wondering if a frozen food machine is a good fit for your Chicago location, answer the following questions:

• Do you have at least 100 employees?
• Does your business/organization employ a large amount of people from Generation Y (statistics show that Generation Yers are more comfortable with purchasing frozen foods)?

If you answered yes to any of these questions contact Mark Vend and ask how you can get a frozen food machine placed at your Chicago location. When choosing the right vending service make sure to ask the following questions:

• How  they store their frozen food in warehouse
• How they store frozen food in transit to your location?
• Do they have a dedicated fresh/frozen food route (if not are regular snack/beverage delivery drivers trained on safe handling of fresh/frozen food)?

Now that you know what to ask, call Mark Vend (847) 291-9216 today so that the next time it’s cold outside you and your employees can warm your hands by the microwave and fill your stomachs with delicious, name brand, quality products.

All Chicago employees can gather round the coffee machine again! The latest offering by MARK VEND CO for an exciting brewer for your break room is the Avalon Gourmet Brewer.  This is your one stop shop for all your coffee requirements.

Great for the coffee purists throughout Chicago who like it black or prefer flavored coffee with froth!

A unique single cup coffee brewer that can offer your Chicago employees 30 different combinations, making the Gourmet ideal for your on-site break room. Suitable for a multitude of settings and the convenience of providing guaranteed freshness one cup at a time, anytime.

1. Equipped with a Whipper Chamber, for the best froth for your Cappuccino, Long Espresso or Hot Shot
2. Two cup sizes.
3. Two brew strengths
4. Environmentally friendly
5. Programmable options: cup sizes, brew strengths and product settings.
6. Sleek and compact, this machine fits snugly on top of a counter.

• Stylish Bistro design and look

• Capacity to contain 10 lbs of whole bean coffee within three different cylinders:  two of 4 lbs and one of 2 lbs

• Three canisters for flavored ingredients

Selections :

3 whole bean coffees of your choice                                               Vanilla Moka Coffee 50/50                                                                                                 Energie Shot Coffee      French Vanilla                                                                                   Hot Shot Blend Coffee       Vanilla Coffee                                                                                    Long Espresso Vanilla Moka                                                                                                  Cafe Lattee                               Hot Chocolate                                                                                   Cappuccino/ Hot Water Mokaccino                                                                                         for your favorite tea

Contact  Mark Vend today for a free no-obligation consultation regarding your break room needs. At Mark Vend we focus on providing you the latest in technology and the best in customer service. Call TODAY! (847) 291-9216.

MEET CHRIS  H.

Sales Rep Supremo!

There is no one better to advise you on your vending machine requirements in Chicago than Chris at Mark Vend.

Chris has been with Mark Vend since 1998 and has worked in the field with companies both large and small.  Chris will always give you the attention to detail that you would expect from the consummate professional he is in his field.

Chris is always smiling at Mark Vend.  He is also always eating something, sampling the foods to see what is the tastiest.  He says he has to work out extra hard at the gym to stay as trim as he is!!

His amiable nature and deep knowledge of everything vending and coffee makes him the perfect man to advise you on your requirements. To learn more about vending or office coffee service for your location throughout Chicago, Mark Vend invites you to call Chris today 847-561-6550. Here at Mark Vend, we are ALWAYS happy to serve you!

When you think of a strong community throughout Chicagoland, what comes to mind; playgrounds, lots of trees, firefighters who bring cats out of those trees, strong school systems, neighbors who care about each other, low calorie drinks from a vending machine?

The later might seem a little out of place but according to San Antonio’s Mayor Julian Castro, “The most important aspect of any community is its quality of life and one essential ingredient [to that quality of life] is healthy living.” It’s his belief that “everyone has a role to play in making our communities healthier,” and because of this he is proud that his city is one of the first to be a part of the Calories Count Vending Program spear headed by the American Beverage Association.

Through this program large beverage distributors (Coca-Cola, the Dr Pepper Snapple Group and PepsiCo) are working with government leaders and vendors to offer low-calorie beverage options in machines and to educate at the point of purchase about making healthier choices.

In 2013 municipal buildings in Chicago and San Antonio will be the first to launch the Calories Count Vending Program. The vending machines in these locations will get make-overs that include:

• An increase in low calorie beverage options
• Labels on the machine that encourage consumers to “check [the calorie count] then choose”
• Calorie labels on each of the selection buttons, making checking before choosing an option.

As the year goes on it is anticipated that the program will spread throughout the country, not just at government properties but anywhere vending is offered.

If you would like your vending machines to be part of the movement in the Chicago area, talk to Mark Vend about making the necessary changes to your vending program.   Although we might not be the ones you call when Snowball is stuck in the tree, Mark Vend still cares about your well being and understands the importance of  helping communities throughout Chicago be healthy.

It seems as though in Chicago new ads are coming out every day that highlight the negative affects sugary drinks, like soda, have on children.

A popular radio/television ad says the following:

“You do so many things to protect [your children], but there is one thing that can hurt them that you may never have realized. Many sugary drinks can contain 16 or more teaspoons of sugar. Too much sugar can cause obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay. So try some healthier options, after all they’re sweet enough already.”

The thing is this: vendors agree. Vendors also have children and want them to grow up to be healthy adults.

On  school campuses throughout Chicagoland you can find vending machines dedicated to 100% healthy items. Mark Vend can help create a program based on a variety of healthy choices or you can work with Mark Vend directly to create a program based on your guidelines.

As the need for healthy vending in Chicago continues to rise, organizations dedicated solely to the purpose of healthy eating for children on school campuses are beginning to emerge. These organizations are not competition but aids, blazing a clear cut trail on what healthy vending machines should look like.

If you are looking to start/revise your school’s vending services in Chicago and want to go healthy but are unsure where to begin call Mark Vend today at (847) 291-9216!  We are happy to customize a healthy program tailored to your vending needs!

The most popular guideline for a healthy alternative snack follow the 35-10-35 principle where snacks have no more than:

• 35% of total calories from fat
• 10% of calories from saturated fat
• 35% of total product weight from sugar

Many Chicago  schools are taking it a step further and suggest the following limitations:

• No fried anything
• No artificial flavors
• No high fructose corn syrup
• No artificial ingredients

We often take everyday tasks for granted and don’t think what is happening inside the vending machine so you can receive your tasty snack or cold beverage.  Have you ever thought what happens behind the scenes when you press the button to select your purchase?  Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as a little man inside pushing out that packet of chips or candy bar or filling up your cup of coffee?

The setting up of a vending machine takes many hands, all working together to deliver your favorite bag of chips!

The first task is to plan what merchandise is going to be positioned in the machines.  That plan-o-gram is then given to the technicians who start building the machine from the inside out.  Simply put –

• The shelves and spirals are positioned.
• The cash and credit card systems are set.
• The graphics on the outside are positioned.
• The machine is filled with your favorite products.
• For a coffee vending machine, the machine is prepared and filled with all of the necessary components to make a delicious cup of Joe or hot tea.
• The vending options are finally stringently tested.

After many hours of testing, vending machines are placed on location to better serve their employees and/or customers. So, the next time you push the select button to enjoy your favorite mid morning snack or drink your favorite hot or cold beverage, remember there is more behind the product then what you just see!

Planting a tree is a symbol of permanence, knowing that in years to come you will watch it grow and become a part of the family that it encompasses.

Mark Vend is such a family.  Started by Andy and Bonnie Stein in 1962 in suburban Chicago, they had a truck, a few dozen machines and dispensed only cigarettes.

As they outgrew their original premises, they moved to larger complexes until they relocated to their current location on MacArthur Blvd in Northbrook, IL.

When they moved in to these premises, Bonnie Stein planted a young Copper Beech Tree, signaling the home of Mark Vend Company.  It has been nurtured over the past twenty years and has grown tall and majestic, a symbol of the growth of the company.

To this day Mark and Daniel Stein have built on their parent’s vision running a company that uses state of the art technology to create a high level of customer service.  Today the company has over 2000 machines and over 25 vehicles throughout Greater Chicagoland.

With their roots firmly planted in serving the communities in Chicago, Mark and Daniel Stein are recognized leaders in the vending industry.  Awarded the Automatic Merchandiser 2011 Vending Operator of the Year, Mark Vend’s vision is providing exceptional service while bringing customers the latest in healthy and ‘green’ food and beverages to Chicago and beyond! Want to learn more what Mark Vend has to offer your place of business? Call today at (847) 291-9216!

Halloween is here again!  Load up on all things Pumpkin for your office in  Chicago.

Don’t wait for your fairy godmother to wave her magic wand to make Halloween the best pumpkin parade of yummy drinks and snacks!

FLAVIA ALTERRA PUMPKIN SPICE

Try Some Pumpkin Spiced Muffins

For your Chicago Office Order Pumpkin Spice coffee for your Keurig coffee brewer.