Editor@vendingtimes.net
WATERBURY, VT -- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters said it is now shipping the Keurig K-Cup vending machine previewed at the National Automatic Merchandising Association's recent Spring Expo (see story here). The full-size vender offers up to 12 selections, and accommodates more than 1,000 K-Cups.
Designed to make Keurig single-cup brewing feasible in high-traffic commercial and manufacturing settings, the Green Mountain Coffee-branded vending machine dispenses K-Cup portion packs for use in Keurig single-cup brewers. Tully's- and Caribou-branded machines will be available later this summer.
The vender was developed for large venues that sell coffee and other beverages to employees or visitors. It allows operators to meet the demand for portion-packed, single-cup coffee with a solution that is economical, low maintenance and sanitary.
"This innovative system will make people think about coffee from a vending machine in a whole new way," said T.J. Whalen, vice-president of marketing for GMCR's specialty coffee business unit. "With its value proposition of quality, variety and convenience, this unit brings a coffeehouse experience to vending locations."
The Green Mountain Coffee vender holds more than 1,000 K-Cup portion packs. Operators can choose to offer up to 12 product selections from a growing line that presently includes more than 60 coffees, teas and hot cocoas in K-Cups from GMCR's family of brands. These not only include Green Mountain Coffee, but also Tully's Coffee, Newman's Own Organics Coffee, Caribou Coffee, Celestial Seasonings Teas and Café Escapes.
The machines offer quick, easy access to an assortment of these products for use with Keurig's proprietary brewing system. Available in a range of models to meet differing location needs, all of them are engineered to deliver water in the proper volume and at the optimum temperature and pressure to create a perfect cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa in less than a minute.
Green Mountain reported that Scott Meskin, owner and partner of Black Tie Services (Halethorpe, MD), has tested the new machine in the Baltimore market. "It's the new buzz," he said. "I finally have a coffee vending machine that competes with any gourmet coffee shop. And it's so easy! There's no mess to clean, no cups jamming -- just happy customers."
Information on the Green Mountain K-Cup vender can be had by calling the company at (800) 432-4627.
