Customized condiments and Pepsi slush: These food innovations could be coming to you soon

Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read

Grab a bottle of Pepsi that magically turns into an icy slush when opened.

Create a customized condiment at the restaurant counter.

Order hot cinnamon rolls or bao prepared in a vending machine in less than two minutes.

It’s all possible with new products demoed at the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show this week.

Food companies showcased new foods, flavors and types of convenience for restaurant operators and consumers.

Trends at the Chicago show include vegan meat and seafood, global flavors and THC-infused beverages vying for inclusion on restaurant; bar; and school and hospital cafeteria menus.

Take a look at some of the new options you might have when selecting your next meal away from home.

Heinz Remix station allows diners to customize their sauces.
Heinz Remix station allows diners to customize their sauces.

Heinz Remix

Diners can customize their sauces with mix-ins for up to 2,000 combinations using this dispenser.

Choose a base of ketchup, ranch, mayo and barbeque sauce and flavor it with combinations of jalapeno, buffalo, chipotle and mango. Standard recipes such as Jalapeno Ketchup, Buffalo Ranch, Mango Chipotle BBQ or Smoky Chipotle Ranch also are available.

It's being tested in restaurants and expected to launch broadly in 2025.

Heinz also has a slew of new and upcoming flavors;  Cherri-Yaki, Sweet & Spicy Lemongrass, Orange Mojo and Blackberry Bourbon BBQ among them.

Just Baked Smart Bistro Kiosk

This machine bakes and vends food, including Wow Bao products, cinnamon rolls, cookies, pizza and chocolate lava cake, in about two minutes. The tech is headed to hospitals, college campuses and airports.

Pepsi Slush Station

Pepsi Slush station.
Pepsi Slush station.

The fridge chills bottles of drinks to just the right temperature to slushify the contents upon opening. It's expected to be in restaurants and stores later this year.

Primal Kitchen salad vending machine

Primal Kitchen salad vending machine.
Primal Kitchen salad vending machine.

The vending machine selling jarred salads in varieties like blackened chicken chopped salad and Basil Pesto Caprese and Green Goddess Falafel is expected to be at airports, hospitals and college campuses in 2025.

A partnership of Primal Kitchen dressing brand, the Simply Good Jars jarred salads company, and vending machine company Invenda, it's looking to give Farmer’s Fridge some competition.

Heinz Tap

Heinz Tap condiment station.
Heinz Tap condiment station.

New condiment dispensers are set up like beer taps, to accommodate three to seven selections. They’re available in wheeled cart form or counter installations.

Maple Syrup flavored Epicurean Butter

Epicurean Butter in Maple Syrup flavor.
Epicurean Butter in Maple Syrup flavor.

Skip the syrup but get all of the flavor with this butter. Coming soon are A.1. Steak Sauce and Grey Poupon Dijon-flavored butters.

Lunchables machine

Lunchables vending machine on display at the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show.
Lunchables vending machine on display at the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show.

The vending machine stocked with Lunchables kits, Capri Sun pouches, bottles of Kool-Aid and other Kraft Heinz products is being piloted at Chicago-area airports, malls and college campuses.

Tofurky deli slices

Next Gen’s Tofurky brand is expanding its offerings into sliced plant-based deli meats.

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X: @cherylvjackson.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: New foods, vending machines on tap at restaurants, campuses