Chartwells Higher Ed's Joe Labombarda says college students are embracing global flavors, protein and fiber-rich foods at breakfast.
Why it matters for directors: Breakfast is a participation lever on campus; test global and high-protein options instead of the standard line.
Ricoh USA will support deployment and ongoing service of Hyphen's automated makeline through its RICOH Service Advantage program. Hyphen says the makeline produces more than 200 meals an hour from digital orders.
Why it matters for directors: Service, not the robot itself, often stalls automation; ask any vendor who fixes it, how fast, and what happens if they exit.
Swyft is now Mercury Automated Retail Solutions. It operates more than 100 automated stores in over 20 airports and is targeting healthcare and higher education next. The model bundles equipment, merchandising, replenishment and analytics.
Why it matters for directors: Fully managed 24/7 automated retail is a way to serve off-hours populations without staffing another outlet.