Food Updates: Amid S’pore’s tough food scene, this vending biz has 120+ machines & offers a new F&B alternative

Source:

https://vulcanpost.com/899197/instachef-hot-meal-vending-machines/

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InstaChef, created by food tech company Aikit Pte Ltd, is reimagining vending machines as AI-powered mini restaurants. Launched in 2023 after two years of R&D, the company now operates over 120 units across Singapore, including at NUS, offices, and residential areas. Unlike typical reheated vending meals, InstaChef dishes are par-cooked and finished on-demand using induction (5–10 minutes, preserving texture) or microwave heating (2–3 minutes for speed). Meals cost S$5–S$9, ordered on-site or via the InstaChef app, which tracks cooking progress and alerts customers when food is ready.

Aikit’s proprietary ChefGenie AI manages stock levels, hygiene schedules, and menu customization by location to minimize waste—offices tend to get Asian meals, schools more Western items. Hygiene is emphasized, with machines cleaned every two days, or more in busy spots. Each unit carries about 15 dishes, rotated every two to three months, from a pool of 80+ recipes.

Despite growth, customer skepticism remains. To counter this, InstaChef holds tasting events whenever new units launch. Feedback has been positive, with online reviews praising taste and variety. In 2024, InstaChef introduced a franchising programme, now running 30% of its machines. Franchisees focus on locations, while Aikit handles backend operations, offering a low-effort business model.

The brand’s model has drawn attention from Enterprise Singapore (ESG) amid rising F&B closures. In September 2025, ESG launched a pilot at Punggol Digital District with local names like Springleaf Prata and Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks, using InstaChef machines to expand without heavy overheads.

With five machines already in the U.S., InstaChef aims to prove globally that vending machines can deliver fresh, restaurant-quality meals, shifting perceptions of automated dining.