Subway opens its first vending machine to sell sandwiches, drinks in strategic locations

Subway, a fast-food franchise that mainly offers submarine sandwiches, wraps, drinks, and more, is taking its marketing to another level by introducing its own vending machine. The company unveiled its first “Grab and Go” this week, and it is filled with pre-made sandwiches, drinks, and other snacks.

Subway’s Grab and Go smart vending machine was publicly announced on Monday, Nov. 14, during its third quarter sales report. The machine was also called a “smart fridge” since the items being sold there chilled.

The sandwich fast-food chain revealed that its vending machine actually debuted in September and was installed at the University of California San Diego. It was a successful launch, so the company is planning to put more machines across the North American region. Subway will target high-trafficked locations for the installations and will most likely set it up in hospitals, airports, and other college campuses.

As per CNN Business, local franchise owners will be preparing the sandwiches and delivering them to the Grab and Go refrigerators. The vending machine works using artificial intelligence and is equipped with “natural language processing” so people can pick their orders verbally instead of the usual punching of buttons.

This process will also allow for a contactless ordering experience. Subway said it has received very positive feedback from customers regarding its sandwich vending machine.

The company said that this is just one of the new programs that it is working on in its efforts to upgrade and modernize its brand image. Not long ago, the chain also announced its most extensive menu makeover, which is a first in its almost 60-year history.

"As more of our guests search for dining experiences to meet their 'in-the-moment' needs, the brand's non-traditional locations and platforms can serve them wherever and whenever they are craving Subway," Subway’s vice president of non-traditional development, Taylor Bennett, said in a press release. "As Subway focuses on strategic and profitable growth, there is a significant opportunity to expand our footprint in non-traditional locations and for franchisees to generate incremental revenue for their business."