Beverages, especially carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), are an essential part of the vending channel’s success. Although the vending industry faces challenges, like complying with new government regulations and trying to meet consumer health-and-wellness demands, industry experts say that the vending channel is poised for growth.

Reflecting the evolving needs of today's consumer and the increased desire for more better-for-you choices on-the-go, Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. launched a new, state-of-the-art food and beverage vending initiative called Hello Goodness. 

The start of the 2015-2016 school year is just around the corner, and students between the ages of five and 18 will continue to find healthier beverages and snacks in vending machines, a la carte lines and school stores due to the Smart Snacks in School regulation enacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in July 2014.

Smart technology, government mandates and consumer expectations are changing the face of the vending channel.