A small Nova Scotia company is expanding into major U.S. sports and entertainment venues with its high-tech alcohol vending machines.
Dispension Industries Inc., based in Dartmouth, has installed machines at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and recently launched at Empower Field, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.
Founder and CEO Corey Yantha said two machines at Dodger Stadium generated more than $200,000 in sales over a year, making them the stadium’s highest revenue earners per square foot.
The company is also in talks with other NBA, NHL and NCAA venues. Yantha said demand is growing, and the company’s main challenge is now producing enough machines to meet it.
Before entering the U.S. market, Dispension had machines at venues in Canada, including Scotiabank Centre in Halifax and Mary Brown’s Centre in Newfoundland.
The machines use technology to scan government-issued identification, check the customer’s age and compare their face with the photo on the ID. Customers can then receive pre-opened cans of alcoholic beverages.
Rod Phillips, an alcohol historian and Carleton University professor, said the technology could make alcohol vending machines more common as people look for convenient ways to buy drinks.
Despite trade tensions between Canada and the U.S., Yantha said his technology can succeed across borders, adding that American business partners have helped the company expand.
With interest growing among major venues, Dispension is now focused on increasing production to meet demand.
