Fresh Healthy Vending International, Inc. Announces Strategic Partnership with Touchscreen Point-of-Sale Device Provider, AirVend, in Support of USDA School Regulations
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) April 23, 2014 -- Fresh Healthy Vending International, Inc.(OTC Markets: VEND), North America’s leading healthy vending franchisor, remains at the forefront of technology with the announcement of its partnership with AirVend, now mounting the AV5 cashless touchscreen devices on its healthy vending combo machines. In addition to its cashless payment options and access to real-time machine data, AirVend is the solution for operators needing to adhere to new USDA snack-product requirements and legislation, making Fresh Healthy Vending an even more attractive option for school locations.
The new vending technology, AirVend, is an android-based, point-of-sale device, which can be retrofitted to all vending machines within a matter of minutes. Its single hardware device features three core attributes; it displays nutritional information of each product inside the machine, gives consumers the ability to pay with either a phone or credit card, and provides vending machine owners with real-time sales information and inventory data through the device’s interactive touchscreen.
“From a business development standpoint, the decision to add AirVend to its healthy vending machines will allow Fresh Healthy Vending to offer its franchisees more advanced features, simplifying their technological operations and giving them the upper hand when approaching new locations for installs, particularly in schools,” said Lance Ellsworth, co-founder and executive vice president of business development for AirVend. “Fresh Healthy Vending and AirVend share the vision that displaying nutritional information is essential for today’s educated consumer, so we’re excited to now team up and penetrate the national market with the total package of our technology combined with Fresh Healthy Vending’s snack options, especially as the compliance for the USDA snack law approaches.”
With the option to add AirVend to new and existing Fresh Healthy Vending combo machines, franchisees can now update planograms or gather real-time information on product stock, as well as give consumers the option to contact them with comments or issues through a digital contact form, as well as pay with a digital coupon or QR code. AirVend also offers advertising options that can be customized by location.
“This new partnership is yet another demonstration of how Fresh Healthy Vending is staying ahead of the curve with innovation and technology, consistently increasing the value of our machines for both existing and future franchisees, as well as locations nationwide,” said Alex Kennedy, CEO of Fresh Healthy Vending International, Inc. “Now our franchisees can add the point-of-sale device to machines being delivered to new school contracts secured by Fresh Healthy Vending ensuring they are always abiding by the new USDA guidelines and allowing them to benefit from the many features the technology provides. We also believe that having this offering will help increase our locations team’s success in securing school installments for franchisees.”
As part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the new nutrition standards require all US schools to sell only food items that meet certain requirements in relation to their calories, ingredients, sodium, fat and sugar.
In addition to the snack requirements being put into place this year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued legislation that would require vending machine operators of over 20 machines to post the calories for every item in the machine. The vendor must “provide a sign in close proximity to the article of food or the selection button that includes a clear and conspicuous statement disclosing the number of calories contained in the article.”
For more information on Fresh Healthy Vending, the franchise program, or to receive a free healthy vending machine in your school or business, visit http://www.freshvending.com or call toll free 888-902-7558.
About Fresh Healthy Vending
Fresh Healthy Vending, based in San Diego, California, is North America’s leading healthy vending franchisor. Fresh Healthy Vending pioneered the concept of vending machines stocked with tried-and-tested fresh, healthy snack options and capitalizes on a growing market of health conscious consumers. The company has appointed more than 215 franchisees throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas and actively looks to partner with like-minded entrepreneurs who share its vision.
The company offers three different machines: The Healthy Vending Combo snack and drink machine, Healthy Vending Café that brews gourmet hot beverages in less than 40 seconds and the brand new Healthy Vending Touch-the only 46” 3D interactive touch screen vending machine.
The company has installed machines in more than 2,500 schools, universities, hospitals, community centers, military bases, airports, fitness facilities, YMCAs, libraries and many other types of locations.
Fresh Healthy Vending believes that it is currently the only vending company providing a comprehensive integrated business model that:
1. Has an integrative focus on securing qualified locations for vending machine placement on behalf of franchisees
2. Has an in-house products department which creates specialized menus specific to each location
3. Has a corporate owned machine division to provide an independent revenue stream separate from franchise sales
4. Provides franchisees with best practices obtained and enhanced by experience of directly operating machines and managing routes
5. Delivers a one of a kind franchise coaching program to assist franchisees with developing their healthy vending business using the company’s Steps to Success Program
Fresh Healthy Vending’s stock is traded through the OTC Markets, Symbol: VEND.
For more information on Fresh Healthy Vending, the Franchise Program, or to receive a free healthy vending machine in your school or business, visit http://www.freshvending.com or call toll free 888-902-7558.
About AirVend
AirVend was founded in April 2012 for the express purpose of bringing affordable, advanced technology to the vending and unattended retail industries. The AirVend system is an interactive touchscreen device that displays nutritional information, provides cashless options and sends real-time data and alerts wirelessly, ensuring that vending operators reap the rewards they deserve. Visit the website at http://www.air-vend.com.
Cautionary note on forward-looking statements
Except for historical information contained in this release, statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events that are based on management's belief, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. While the Company believes that expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurances that goals, results and strategy will be realized. Numerous factors, including risks and uncertainties, may affect actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by the Company or on its behalf. In addition to statements, which explicitly describe risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements labeled with such terms as "believes," "belief," "expects," "intends," "feels, “anticipates," or "plans" to be uncertain and forward-looking. More detailed information on these and additional factors that could affect Fresh Healthy Vending's actual results are described in Fresh Healthy Vending's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 and those referenced in its Forms 10-Q filed for the quarterly periods ended September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013. All forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release and are based on Fresh Healthy Vending's current beliefs and expectations. Fresh Healthy Vending undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Christine Takara, Fresh Healthy Vending, http://www.freshvending.com, 888-902-7558, [email protected]
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