MARK KRONENBERG
Mark Kronenberg has deep roots in the vending and food service industry—his family has been involved since 1937, and Mark himself has been active in the field from a young age. In 1982, he and his father founded CompuVend Systems, the first PC-based vending management system. For over four decades, Mark has been at the forefront of providing technology solutions and strategic guidance to operators across the industry.
A pioneer in vending technology, Mark was a founding member of the DEX standards committee and the VDI Task Force. He played a key role in advancing industry innovation, including the adoption of handheld computers for vending routes and warehouses, the first integrations with coin counting equipment, and the development of the industry’s first curbside prekit solution. His mission has always been clear: make operations easier and give operators more control through smart technology.
In 2014, Mark sold CompuVend to Cantaloupe Systems and remained with the company until 2019. Afterward, he launched Automated Retail Solutions, continuing his work by advising operators and supporting technology-driven projects.
Listening to recurring operator concerns about theft and market monitoring, Mark began working with engineers in 2021 to develop ARMS (Automated Retail Management System). Over the next 3.5 years, with input from operators and advancements in AI and analytics, Mark and the team at ProWatch Solutions built a powerful platform. ARMS integrates surveillance video, backend micro market data, and behavioral analytics to detect theft, highlight suspicious activity, and identify missed sales opportunities. ARMS officially launched at NAMA 2024.
Throughout his career, Mark has assisted hundreds of vending companies and continues to engage closely with operators—listening to their challenges, sharing insight, and building solutions that move the industry forward.