A 24/7 Fondue Vending Machine: The Idea That’s Got Everyone Talking
A 24/7 Fondue Vending Machine: The Idea That’s Got Everyone Talking — Quebecers love fondue — that much we knew. But we didn’t necessarily expect them to want it at the push of two or three buttons. And yet, that’s exactly what’s happening. Since the arrival of the first cheese‑fondue vending machine in North America — freshly installed inside the 1001 Fondues shop — Quebec media and food columnists have been buzzing. A mix of fascination, local pride, and playful humour: the buzz is real.
But before diving into “vending” or automated distribution, let’s take a step back. Where does this slightly wild idea come from — slipping food (or anything else) into a machine that handles everything on its own? To find out, we have to go back… way back.
Before Ketchup Chips: Holy Water
Surprise: the very first vending machine in history had nothing to do with ketchup chips or soft drinks. It dates back to Antiquity, in the 1st century, and it dispensed… holy water. Yes, really.
The Greek inventor Hero of Alexandria designed an ingenious mechanism: you inserted a coin, its weight tipped a lever, and voilà — the user received a dose of sacred water. A 1001% brilliant idea. Probably the best invention since sliced bread.
It would take until the 19th century for the first “modern” machines to appear: stamp dispensers, postcard dispensers, pencil dispensers. Nothing very glamorous, but undeniably useful. Then, in the early 20th century, machines multiplied: cigarettes, chewing gum, newspapers, train tickets…
In short, before dispensing fondue, machines stuck to practical items… nothing that would make a foodie lose their mind.
Sketchy Coffee and Nostalgia: The Golden Age
Between the 60s and the 80s, vending machines firmly settled into everyday life. You could see them everywhere: factories, hospitals, cégeps, offices. They served coffee (sometimes a little sketchy), soft drinks, questionable sandwiches and, of course, the iconic and delectable Yum Yum chip bags — including the “Assaisonnée” (All Dressed) flavour, launched in 1978, which fondly evokes the golden days of our childhood. In short, vending machines became the allies — perfect or debatable, depending on your appetite — of every spontaneous snack attacks.
The Revolution of the ’80s–’90s
The major vending‑machine revolution arrived between the 1980s and 1990s. In Europe, much more sophisticated machines appeared, capable of keeping food fresh and offering a wider variety of products. Vending machines expanded their role: beyond snacks and drinks, they began offering non‑food items like toiletries, films… even books. The arrival of ATMs modernized the sector even further, with more secure mechanisms and the integration of card payments, making these machines more accessible than ever.
Japan, Always Ten Steps Ahead
Meanwhile in Japan — always ten steps ahead — vending machines were already dispensing instant ramen and hot drinks during the same era. No surprise for a country that would eventually turn the vending machine into a full‑fledged cultural phenomenon.
In the Land of the Rising Sun, imagination overflows: everything ends up in a vending machine. Today, the country has roughly one machine for every 23 inhabitants. There, the vending machine is no longer just a practical device — it’s a cultural symbol in its own right and, for food lovers like us, a genuine tourist attraction.
Today’s Vending Machines: More Innovative Than Ever
Today, food vending machines are everywhere and more innovative than ever. Some are true mini robot‑restaurants operating 24 hours a day. The vending machine has become a symbol of modernity: fast, accessible, always ready to help… or to surprise.
And the Revolution Isn’t Over
Modern vending machines now integrate advanced and sustainable technologies — facial recognition, biometric sensors, energy‑efficient systems. They offer local and organic products while consuming less power. In fact, as early as 2012, the first cheese vending machine — raclette and fondue — was installed in the Swiss canton of Valais, in Sion, proving that even Europe’s most delicious traditions have a place in this wave of innovation.
The 1001 Fondues Vending Machine: A North American First
And here it is: 1001 Fondues has launched the very first cheese‑fondue vending machine in North America. A fondue dispenser accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering fresh, lactose‑free fondues, ready to take home and ready to cook in seconds. A simple yet slightly audacious concept: making Quebec cheese fondue accessible, spontaneous, and available even outside business hours.
The reaction was immediate. Some media outlets — not usually known for their epicurean leanings — praised the innovation, and Quebecers seem to love the idea of a local company reinventing a classic. After all, if people from here invented poutine, we can certainly give Quebec its very first fondue vending machine.