Elgin, Ill.-based United Food Group, Inc. is scaling its beverage equipment platform with a new line of dry-powder dispensers engineered to replace conventional bag-in-box liquid coffee and cream systems — a move with direct cost implications for foodservice operators, convenience stores, and office coffee accounts.
The company, which manufactures specialty dry-powder mixes under its Perfect Servings® brand alongside commercial dispensing equipment, says the new dispensers are built around shelf-stable soluble products with a two-year shelf life. "This approach can help customers reduce product, storage, freight, and waste-related to conventional equipment expenses — potentially saving them thousands of dollars each year," said Bryan Real, President of United Food Group.
What the Equipment Does
The flexibility of the new dispenser line is a central selling point for multi-unit operators managing varied menus across locations. According to Real, a liquid-cream dispenser can be converted into a cappuccino and hot-cocoa machine in minutes by swapping products and updating digital flavor labels and product videos. UFG's newest machine supports up to 24 selections — including cappuccinos, lattes, coffee, hot chocolate, and cream — and integrates a sugar and sweetener dispenser in the same unit. Bob Long, Head of Engineering for UFG, emphasized that the machines were designed to perform reliably in demanding commercial environments while incorporating digital technology and graphic-customization capabilities.
UFG has also broadened its portfolio through a partnership with Dr. Coffee, a global manufacturer of commercial bean-to-cup equipment, adding whole-bean grinding capability to its channel offer alongside the soluble-product dispensers.
Expansion Plans and Channel Strategy
UFG spent the past three years developing, testing, and commercializing the equipment line. Now it is targeting aggressive U.S. and international growth through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. The go-to-market strategy leans heavily on distributor relationships and co-branding with national and regional coffee brands. "Our strategy is to work more closely with customers, distributors, and national and regional coffee brands to bring together outstanding beverage products, innovative equipment, and dependable service," said Doug Shea, Vice President of Business Development for UFG.
For foodservice operators already scrutinizing beverage program costs and supply-chain complexity, the shelf-stable angle addresses a genuine pain point: bag-in-box liquid products require refrigeration, generate significant freight weight, and carry shorter shelf lives that drive waste — all cost centers that dry-powder alternatives can reduce. The 24-selection capacity in a single footprint is also relevant for operators seeking to consolidate equipment without narrowing their hot-beverage menus.
UFG's expansion push reflects broader momentum in the soluble and instant-beverage segment, where convenience-channel and non-commercial foodservice accounts have increasingly turned to powder-based systems to cut cold-chain dependency. As Food & Beverage Magazine has tracked, operator interest in lower-labor, lower-waste beverage solutions has accelerated since supply disruptions reshaped procurement thinking in the early 2020s. UFG is positioning its dual platform — powder mixes plus dispensing hardware — to meet that demand across multiple classes of trade.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
