"This is a breakthrough technology that allows advertisers to connect with consumers as they add sugar, cream, flavored creamers and sweeteners to their coffee," said Bryan Real, president of United Food Group. "Our business model provides ad revenue sharing with our [image-nocss] convenience store customers to boost their profits, while at the same time saving money through controlled dispensing of powdered flavorings."
While in-store video advertising and at the pump has been growing in popularity, the cost and complexity of existing hardwired technologies has been prohibitive, according to the company. United Food Group's approach is to provide an easy-to-install wireless connection that can be deployed anywhere.
The company has developed proprietary hardware and software that will wirelessly upload media content to the in-store dispensers. The system is flexible enough to work anywhere in the world with an internet connection to a wireless router. The system can also be adapted to work with 3G and 4G networks.
The company is currently in the process of raising additional capital to fund the launch and should be ready for a controlled roll out in four to five months, said the company.
"Our technology allows us to upload ads to individual stores, groups of stores or entire chains anywhere in the world, anytime, even on short notice," said Robert Long, project engineer for United Food Group. With three proprietary patents, United Food Group is looking to grow its branded condiment dispenser and products under the brand name of "Perfect Servings."
"We have customers in Mexico, Canada, China, South America and Costa Rica. All of our customers will be supplying our products with our new audio-video screens, and we can change ads weekly from [company headquarters in] Elgin, Ill.," said Bryan Real, president of United Food Group.
"We wanted to advertise our products to the public but didn't have a big marketing budget; putting a screen on our machine made all the sense in the world," said Debra Solberg, sales manager at United Food Group. "Allowing other advertisers to use the screen also generates additional revenue for the convenience stores we service," she said.
"Advertising our products at a fraction of the normal media cost, while supporting our convenience store partners with shared revenue, it's a win-win situation for everyone," said Solberg.
"Our screens will be seen by over 25 million people within the next two years," said Bryan Real.
The technology can be expanded into other retail applications including grocery, chain drug store, specialty coffee and fast-food restaurants with standalone screens, used when the dispenser is not needed.
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