Food Updates: This S’pore biz turned vending smart with vendcafes—now 500+ machines serve hot meals & coffee

Source:

https://vulcanpost.com/895298/chef-in-box-singapore-hot-meal-vending-machine/

ChatGPT:

Chef-in-Box has transformed Singapore’s vending machine scene, expanding from simple snacks to over 500 machines serving hot meals, snacks, and coffee. Founded in 2008 by entrepreneur Jocelyn Chng, the company pioneered Singapore’s first hot-meal vending machines, addressing the lack of late-night dining options. Today, its offerings include local dishes like seafood hor fun, Japanese curry, and Western favourites, priced affordably between S$5 and S$8.

Chef-in-Box also introduced “vendcafes”—clusters of three or more machines with tables for on-site dining. There are now 50 such spots across Singapore, particularly in underserved neighbourhoods and hospitals where round-the-clock meals are in demand. Jocelyn’s motivation was personal: her children often struggled to find decent food during late-night study sessions. Recognising changing lifestyles—dual-income families and busy professionals—she saw a clear market gap for convenient, nutritious meals available anytime.

Leveraging JR Group’s cook-chill and cook-freeze technology, meals are prepared centrally without preservatives, ensuring both flavour and nutrition. Automation allows consistency, while sensors and data collection help manage demand, track preferences, and reduce food wastage. Customers can enjoy meals tailored to local tastes, from gravy-rich options to fried items, depending on the location.

Hygiene and quality are prioritised, with daily cleaning, stock monitoring, and safety shut-offs. These innovations won support from Enterprise Singapore and MTI, enabling Chef-in-Box to expand its vendcafe concept in 2016.

Having served over 10 million meals, the brand now plans international expansion, with Japan—a vending machine powerhouse—as its next frontier. Chef-in-Box proves how technology, data, and consumer insight can reinvent even the most familiar formats, making vending machines a viable, modern solution for hot, affordable dining.

Opinion:

With lesser and lesser new generation hawkers, vending machines could become the new norm.

Waiting for them to penetrate the heartland areas.

Will support.