Foodservice Equipment, Technology at 2024 NACS Show Elevates Food, Beverages

A walk on the tradeshow floor at the NACS Show in Las Vegas in October revealed a variety of foodservice equipment and technology to makes life easier for convenience-store operators.

Lee Hawkinson, head of facility reliability and concept design at Laval, Quebec-based Circle K, said in a session at the show that when choosing new equipment, it’s important to make sure it is flexible enough for a smooth transition as a c-store moves from one daypart to another.

Data shows the snacking daypart is growing, especially with more people on the go, and younger generations in particular are looking for that snack, Hawkinson said. “You have to get it out quickly and you have to have equipment that can change with those different types of products.”

He added that retailers don’t know now what products they will develop in the future, “So don’t put yourselves in a position where you have to buy another piece of equipment to support a new product you’re developing.”

Read on to see 10 offerings that CSP came across on the tradeshow floor.

Nemco’s new roller grill with built-in bun warmer is designed for optimum space savings while providing “ultimate user experience,” the Hicksville, Ohio-based company said. This all-in-one unit is easily portable without the need to move and set up multiple components each time. There is 360 degree roller rotation to help prevent residue buildup, and individual roller heating elements ensure heating consistency. The integrated bun drawer keeps buns warm, fresh and ready to eat. The controls (inset) are behind a door in the lower-left corner. The warmer was designed to be easily serviceable; removing one screw enables taking out the whole control panel for servicing right in the store.

Evolve Technologies by Hussmann offers this R-290 sustainable cooler, which uses propane gas (replacing hydrofluorocarbons) to meet regulatory requirements. R-290 is natural, energy efficient and meets EPA regulations The use of low global warming potential (GWP) solutions is becoming increasingly critical as new EPA requirements near, the Bridgeton, Missouri-based company said. The first regulatory deadline for retail food refrigeration equipment is Jan. 1, 2025, for stand-alone units. This reach-in merchandiser uses Microblock Technology—a compact R-290 refrigeration system. It is available in low and medium temperatures with two- to five-door configurations available with lineup capability.

The Atlanta-based Micromart Imbed VR 27 Smart Cooler is a modern vending machine with less parts to break and less operating expenses. Customers tap their credit card to pre-authorize their purchase and then open the door. AI recognition sensors detect what a customer has taken and charge them. Digital price tags make it easy to change prices, and there’s a large display on top for advertising and promotion. The system encourages selecting multiple products because the door is already open when the customer makes their initial selection, the company said. 

According to Middleby company Powerhouse Dynamics, Boston, when stores connect their coffee makers using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, the data and analytics that this equipment “feeds back” helps stores deliver a better experience. Not only can stores maximize equipment uptime, they can anticipate customers’ every need, such as the right stocking level for beans and which flavors or limited-time offers are the most popular. What are customers likely to prefer in the morning versus the afternoon? This information is especially helpful when customers buy their own cups and then self-serve. The display screen (inset) can break down various sales data including hot versus cold, sizes sold and blends sold.

Los Alamitos, California-based Epson’s labeling and printing solutions include the C4000u ColorWorks inkjet printer and black-and-white thermal label printers. The L100 black-and-white model prints in three different widths: 40mm, 58mm and 80mm. The system works with most point-of-sale systems to print the information the retailer inputs.

The O’Fallon, Missouri-based True pizza prep refrigerator and table includes a solid door and drawers, pizza prep table with angled top and hydrocarbon refrigerant. The factory-engineered, self-contained capillary tube system uses environmentally friendly R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant that has zero ozone depletion potential. It has a self-cleaning reverse condenser unit, and the drawers are designed to accommodate varying size pan configurations. The forced-air refrigeration system holds 33 degrees to 41 degrees. It has an all-stainless-steel front, top and ends and a corrosion-resistant GalFan-coated steel back.

The Speed-X oven from Unox is what the Denver, North Carolina-based company says is the first self-cleaning combi speed oven. It has microwave, convection, moisture and conduction technology working together to aid in the cooking process. Operators can set percentages of each aspect to achieve the final product with a super-fast cooking process. In combi mode—convection and steam—it can cook 10 portions of pork ribs in 90 minutes and 20 portions of lasagna in 90 minutes. In speed mode—air, steam and microwaves—it can cook five burgers and wedge potatoes in nine minutes and six salmon fillets with vegetables in 150 seconds.

Federal Industries’ Vision Series open-case grab-and-go merchandisers are “thoughtfully crafted with an expanded viewing experience and clean, minimalist styling to dramatically elevate the appeal” of merchandise, the Belleville, Wisconsin, company said. Pictured is the cooler; there also are warming and non-refrigerated specifications. All come in straight profile with glass end, straight profile with solid end, curved profile with glass end and curved profile with solid end. A variety of custom finish options are available, and there is the option to fit cases with rear hinged or sliding doors, security covers and casters.

Standard AI’s Stocked software and hardware uses 4K cameras in high-demand areas such as tobacco (pictured) and energy drinks to help replenish out-of-stock merchandise and inventory management. Employees get real-time inventory alerts that an item is running low, the San Francisco-based company said. Included is planogram optimization so retailers can maximize shelf space by aligning product layouts with sales data and visibility needs.

The Merrychef conneX16 high-speed oven is the fastest, quietest and easiest to use high-speed oven in the industry, said the company, a division of Welbilt, New Port Richey, Florida. The cavity is 16 inches by 16 inches while the width is only 18 inches. It includes a 7-inch operating screen (right) that uses the new easyTouch 2.0 software. The operating controller works like a mobile phone, the company said, and includes more than 100 pre-programmed recipes. It prepares pizza, fries, nuggets, fingerlings, potatoes, fish, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, pretzel bites, mac and cheese bites, sandwiches, egg rolls, quesadillas and more. It also steams vegetables.