NAMA Show 2026: Products that create loyal daily customers for operators (Part 3)

While there were rave reviews and plenty of excitement surrounding all the new technology at the 2026 NAMA Show in Los Angeles, the beverages, snacks and legitimate dining options on display and available for tasting are always a big part of the show experience.

In Part 3 of our coverage from the 2026 NAMA Show, Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch’s Vending & OCS Nation Podcast host Bob Tullio walks the convention floor speaking with suppliers, innovators, operators, and emerging brands focused on helping convenience services operators build stronger customer loyalty through smarter product selection.

This episode highlights:

Protein-forward snacks and healthier options driving consumer demand
Functional beverages and clean-label energy drinks
Premium grab-and-go innovation
Office coffee trends and new beverage formats
Shelf-life solutions and operational efficiency
Data-driven merchandising and product selection
New product launches from major brands and emerging companies

Key takeaways related to CPG products:

Operators are increasingly focused on products that combine convenience, health, and strong margins.
Protein continues to dominate snacking trends across vending, micro markets, and OCS.
Clean ingredients and natural formulations are becoming major differentiators.
Operators are relying more heavily on data to customize client programs and optimize product mix.
Premiumization remains a major theme throughout the convenience services industry.

Featured guests and companies:

Larry Atnip - Atnip & Premier Broker Partners LLC
Maggie Eich - Nestlé Professional
Monte Farrar - Jack Link's Protein Snacks
James Kolodziej - Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds
Dylan Reiner - Odyssey Functional Energy
Kinsley Torpin - Alliant Coffee Solutions
Drew Smith - Mondelēz International
Eli Owings - Primal Eats
Haley Eggum - Hormel Foods
William Cross - Tina's Burritos
Jessie R. - E.A. Sween Company
Linda Saldaña - Seventh Wave Refreshments, NAMA 2026 Operator of the Year

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