Mark Vend

Mark Vend is constantly searching for healthy choices to offer in our vending machines and micro markets so the weight conscious amongst us can always find something good to eat, even snacks.

Amongst others, here is a sample of what you would find:

Kind Brand – Cranberry Almond Bar: Gluten and Wheat Free; Cairy/Cholesterol Free (1.4 oz)

Weight Watchers 6 points and 160 Calories

Kashi Go Lean Roll – Chocolate Turtle Bar 12g Protein, 6g Fiber, 5g Fat: All Natural 1.94 oz bar

Weight Watchers 5 points and 190 Calories

Cliff Bar – Nutrition for Sustained Energy and made with whole organic ingredients. Good source of protein and fiber with no trans fats 2.4 oz bar

Weight Watchers 6 points and 240 Calories

Andy Capp’s Cheddar Fries – 0 gram trans fats 0.85 oz packet (1 cup)

Weight Watchers 3 points and 110 Calories

Fuji Apple Crisps 100% natural fruit – freeze dried; Peanut/Tree Nut Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Dairy Free, Vegan and Kosher ½ Cup Net Weight

Weight Watchers 1 point and 39 Calories

Edgar L. joined Mark Vend Co in Chicago in 1999 as a route driver and is now the Route Supervisor, overseeing the movement of all the trucks and drivers.

In the 13 years that he has been at Mark Vend, Edgar has seen the many advances in technology that helps maintain the steady flow by the route drivers to service the vending machines.  He relies on a sophisticated computer system powered by Cantaloupe which tells him in real time where the drivers are and what is in each vending machine that they are going to service.

Edgar plans the driver’s routes each day and is responsible for checking that all of the vending machines are stocked with product, which is controlled from his desk computer.  The drivers are also in contact with him via wireless telephone.

In a case where a vending machine malfunctions (which does happen from time to time!) he is able to redirect a driver to immediately go to the client to fix the problem.  This makes Mark Vend Co proactive and efficient and keeps our clients extremely happy.

Mark Vend offers Chicago businesses more than candy and soda pop in our vending machines.  We are moving towards offering more healthy alternatives in line with today’s calorie counting customers. We offer a new range of refreshing and natural drinks by Solixir, a local company in Evanston, Illinois and founded by Scott Lerner who was looking for an alternative healthy drink.  Each beverage contains only 30mg of natural caffeine, enough to give you the get up and go properties without the buzz of coffee.

Solixir utilizes all natural ingredients to provide immunity support, relaxation, and gentle energy. No sugar is added to their formulas and the drinks’ efficacy comes from specific combinations of botanicals and others:

• Ginseng,  promotes yin energy, cleans excess yang and calms the body
• Ginger, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice.,
• Angelica, amongst other properties for the treatment of illnesses such as headaches, relieving nasal obstruction, detoxification of the blood,
• Pomegranate, the whole fruit is used for a variety of medicinal purposes and is a powerful anti-oxidant
• Dandelion., used to treat infections and liver problems.

Solixir comes in three flavors Awaken, Restore, and Relax.  If you would like to have these nutritional drinks included in your Chicago vending machine, call Mark Vend Company today at (847) 291-9216.

Meet Maria and Martha

It is a fact that all functions in a company make up the whole, and not one position is more important than the other, in the greater scheme of things!

However, if it was not for Maria and Martha, nothing would move out of the warehouse for the route drivers to deliver to our customers.

Maria and Martha are responsible for pulling and packing the orders that come in, and they happily whirl around the packing area to complete the job.  This is where all the candy and snacks are stored for replenishing the vending machines.  Let it be known that the USA runs not only on Dunkin’ Donut coffee, but also on Snicker Bars!

Maria and Martha rely on a sophisticated computer system that tracks the orders that are sent to them for processing in the warehouse.  From there, the completed orders are boxed, labeled and barcoded for the route drivers.

Mark Stein owner of Mark Vend and member of NAMA’s Board of Directors, returned recently from the inaugural NAMA Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.

The two-day conference included wide-ranging meetings with representatives from Congressional, Executive Branch and federal agency offices including the White House Office of Business Liaison, the Federal Reserve, and the Office of the Speaker of the House.  Discussions focused on issues critical to the industry, including taxes, nutrition and calorie disclosure, healthcare reform, interchange fees and ADA compliance.

“This was an important step in furthering the industry’s presence in Washington, DC.  As a business owner in Chicago, I participated in the process of sharing information and building the right relationships to ensure our industry’s voice is heard,” said Mark Stein.

The meetings, designed to provide a forum for discussion and exploration on the breadth and scope of industry issues, were held with the intent to deliver actionable outcomes. During a meeting with representatives from the White House Office of Business Liaison (WHOB), NAMA showcased its nutrition initiatives including Balance for Life/Fit Pick as a form of industry self-regulation and long-standing commitment to enabling informed and nutritious consumer choice in vending and refreshment services. This resulted in agreement by the WHOB to consider future collaborative efforts that build on this program’s strong foundation.

Additionally, NAMA participated in strategic discussions on the topic of interchange fees and the potential impact of regressive and punitive taxes on vending and refreshment services, such as those on sugar-sweetened beverages during a meeting with staffers from the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment services industry.  With 1,800 member companies – including some of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research to its membership.

Gather around the Coffee Brewer instead of the water cooler. This is the new look of Coffee Vending in Chicago offices.

We are pleased to offer a new addition to our line of coffee brewers – the new Rancillio Egro One, which is a beautifully designed commercial machine with customization and simplicity at the forefront of its vast array of capabilities.

Your workforce will no longer have to leave the office to get high quality Espresso, Café Latte, or their favorite brew combinations.  You can still choose your favorite coffee beans if desired.

We at Mark Vend have tested the Rancillio Egro One extensively at our test site to make sure that it meets all our expectations!

• The new coffee vending style in Chicago.
• Clear and easy to use touch screen.
• Choose your desired coffee beans.
• Be your own Barrista!!

Contact Mark Vend at (847) 291-9216 for more information or to add the Rancillio Coffee Machine to your current break room throughout the Chicagoland area!

Meet Joe.

Joe S. is our AVANTI MARKET specialist.

Joe joined Mark Vend Company in 2010 to control our new AVANTI MARKET concept.  He is responsible for the merchandising of the markets, and makes sure that the foodstuffs are fresh, healthy and diverse for all tastes.

Joe is a second generation son in the vending industry, and has 40 years experience under his belt.  His father and Dan and Mark Stein’s father worked together in the 1950’s and Joe joined Mark Vend in 2010 to run the Avanti Market section.   He has seen a lot of changes in the coffee and vending industry and finds the changes inspiring and exciting. Joe is married and has three children.

Is your Chicago business interested in offering a Micro Market at your location? Mark Vend has the answers you have been looking for! Contact us today at (847) 291-9216 to learn more about what we can offer you! We look forward to hearing from you!

More and more vending companies in Chicago are starting to offer free coffee service to their employees. Why? Because not only is it a great way to show appreciation to your hardworking staff, but it also results in greater productivity.

Instead of leaving the office for coffee breaks or stopping by a busy kiosk on the way to work…and being a little late in the process…employees can stay at the office, get their caffeine fix and maximize efficiency. Not to mention these same employees will be happier with the extra benefit. Though seemingly a small gesture, free quality coffee will keep employees satisfied, and perhaps make them think twice about other job opportunities.

But not just any coffee service will impress. You need a service that is committed to delivering the highest quality coffees and related items. For instance, Mark Vend offers a wide variety of well-known coffee blends, including brand names like Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee. If you offer the brands people love to drink, then you’re offering a service that will keep people happy and in the office.

Of course, not every office environment in Chicago has the same needs when it comes to coffee quantity. Therefore, it’s important to consider a service that offers multiple brewing equipment options. If you’re a smaller company in Chicago or has a staff with a variety of preferences when it comes to coffee flavors, look for a coffee service that includes single-cup coffee equipment in their mix. These systems allow for a wide variety of premium brand name coffees and teas…and allow each user to suit their beverage to their own unique likes.

Look for a vending service that does more than just provide the equipment and coffee, but goes the extra mile to supply your breakroom with everything you need for your coffee service…such as sweeteners, flavored creamers, stir sticks, paper products and cups. And the best services also monitor and clean the equipment regularly during restocking visits.

Also, premium coffee services provide a value-added level of service…doing every little thing better than the rest. In fact, some vending companies offer the utmost convenience when having to order products. For instance, Mark Vend’s online ordering system allows customers to request supplies with the click of a button…and our courteous route drives will be prompted to restock them immediately.

Finally, a solid office coffee service in Chicago must have ample experience. That’s because an experienced staff  understands their customers’ needs, and knows how to tailor a service to match the unique demands of every customer. Mark Vend has been in the vending business since 1962, and understand the importance of making customers happy. Contact Mark Vend today at (847) 291-9216 for a free no-obligation consultation on your office coffee needs for your employees. We are here to serve you!

With Vending…It’s All About Making the Right Selection

You’re hungry. And you’re standing there looking at the machine trying to figure out the right snack to select. Something sweet? Something savory? Something nutritious? Well, when it comes down to it, there’s no wrong selection. It’s easy to get what you want. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for selecting a vending company.

The fact is that not all vending companies in Chicago are alike. And the right company for you can’t just satisfy one need. You need a vending company that offers multi-faceted advantages to give you everything you want…and more.

First things first, look for a vending company in Chicago that’s fully licensed and insured. It may sound like mumbo jumbo, but if one of your employees gets sick from eating a product out of a vending machine, you want to make sure the vending company has liability insurance to protect you against a potential lawsuit. Furthermore, you want to make sure the vending company offers workers compensation for its route drivers, because if one of their employees gets hurt in your business, you don’t want to be liable.

Next, consider a vending company with experience. For instance, Mark Vend has been in the business in Chicago since 1962. This experience results in a better understanding of what customers are looking for, and reliably being able to provide more extensive services, such as our full office coffee service and delivering 24/7 support. And having more experienced personnel means our people can make machine repairs whenever necessary.

Another important factor is making sure the company offers machines with the most advanced technology. Look for modern looking machines, such as glass-front Coke and Pepsi machines. And look for machines that offer unique convenience features, such as debit/credit card readers, guaranteed product delivery systems and wireless tracking technology, which tracks machine inventory and allows the vending company to restock product when necessary.  Also, some vending companies like Mark Vend offer custom fronts for their vending machines, allowing you to match the machine to your breakroom’s décor. And, of course, make sure the vending company offers a wide range of machines for all of your vending needs, from coffee and snack vending machines to cold and frozen food machines.

Lastly, consider safety. This is an often overlooked factor when searching for the right vending and office coffee provider. But make sure that the company you choose has done criminal background checks on all route drivers and technicians, and that they are committed to taking precautions to protect your place of business.

Contact Mark Vend today at (847) 291-9216 for a free consultation to determine your vending and office coffee needs for your break room.  We are happy to show you what makes Mark Vend the #1 vending company in Chicagoland!