Kepak to launch Hot Vend Kiosk to UK market

Irish meat producer Kepak is to launch its Hot Vend Kiosk to the UK market as part of a "major step forward for the automated retail sector".

The hot vending machine, which can dispense Kepak's Cook-in-Box range burgers within 80 seconds, is set to launch in the out-of-home sector this month.

The machine will be exclusive to Kepak and can hold up to 52 of its Cook-in-Box range, which includes cheese melt, breakfast muffin and peri peri chicken burgers.

The vending machines have initially launched at Luton Airport and Stanstead Airport and Kepak has plans to target universities, forecourts and mass transit destinations across the country.

Brian Farrell, chief executive of Kepak Foods, said: "This is a major step forward for both the automated retail sector and Kepak's participation within it. The team has successfully developed a best-in-class solution which we're confident our customers and retail partners will see as a compelling enhancement to their in-store proposition."

Kepak partnered with Automated Retail Technologies on the project and also provides automated retail and vending solutions in partnership with businesses specialising in food to go, interior design and payment technology.

Britvic and PepsiCo have recently been added to Kepak's list of collaborators.