Did anyone else read this? I guess it is a brilliant idea.. I just would not have expected there would be much demand at all hours. Most locals certainly could not support it.
"By RAQUEL MARIA DILLON
Associated Press
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Sprinkles, the Beverly Hills bakery that helped inspire the craze for sweet frosting in snack-size portions, will launch a cupcake dispensing machine at its flagship store.

Founder and owner Candace Nelson said her company is rolling out the first high-tech vending machine on Tuesday, with three more in the works for New York City by the summer.

The ATM-like machine features a touchscreen and a robotic arm that pulls the right flavored cupcake from a wall of single-serving boxes inside the store.

Nelson said the custom-built gadget is in response to demand for increased hours at the popular store.

"After dinner people want a cupcake. But we can't be open all night long because of our poor employees. So we'll just stock it fresh before they leave for the evening and it'll be good to go," she said.

The machines will be restocked constantly throughout the day so the goods stay fresh.

Nelson said she was inspired to make the sugary treats available 24-7 when she realized that she couldn't satisfy her own late-night cravings.

"I was pregnant with my second child and I thought, I'm the owner of a cupcake bakery and even I can't get a cupcake in the middle of the night," she said.

Customers think the vending machines are a sweet idea.

"You can never have too much access to your cupcakes," said Patrick Swope of Rogers, Ark., who was visiting the Sprinkles New York City shop with his family.

Nelson, who is a featured judge on the Food Network's "Cupcake Wars," started this bakery with her husband 10 years ago. Since then, cupcakes have become big business with bakeries popping up in neighborhoods across the country.

The vending machines will give Sprinkles an edge over the competition, she said. The machines will charge $4 for a boxed cupcake. The same sugary sweet sells for $3.25 in the store, with no box."

I think that such a cool idea!! i mean you can get everything else from a vending machine nowadays.. .why not a cupcake?

Here's a video that shows how it works:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/sprinkles-cupcake-atm-see_n_1324305.html

Here's a video that shows how it works:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/sprinkles-cupcake-atm-see_n_1324305.html

That is pretty awesome! I can see using that....I always like ice cream late at night and we are sometimes skidding in there right before closing time!

can u believe it that it actually crashed because people were going crazy using it and it couldn't handle the load!!??!

They fixed it and now its working but they said it is vending out 1000 cupcakes per day!! INCREDIBLE!!!

I think its a great idea especially late at night when you want some dessert. If only they had this thing in Australia

I think it's a fantastic idea! I really admire Candace. She has built an amazing business and now this new innovation!

Vending machines are a great way to make a very nice second income. That is why so many small businesses opt to own a machine of their own, as it can quickly pull in residual income. There is no real hard work that is required once the machine is in place, and all you really have to do is make sure that it stays stocked and collect the money.

In researching my retail and delivery business, I tweeted cupcake delivery. There were tons of people wishing they could get cupcakes late at night.