First theme park in Europe launches checkout-free store with Zippin and Aramark UK

Zippin and Aramark UK announced today they partnered with LEGOLAND Windsor Resort to launch Europe’s first-ever checkout-free store in a theme park, in partnership with Zippin and LEGOLAND Windsor Resort. The store, which recently opened for the 2024 season, lets resort guests grab their favorite snacks and drinks without the queues.

DUPLO Coffee Co, located in DUPLO Valley, sells a variety of sandwiches, snacks, coffee, and other drinks. The store was converted into a Zippin-powered store where guests can enter with a credit card or mobile wallet, take what they want, and zip out. Self-service coffee is made possible through the integration between DraftServ and Zippin. There are no checkout lines and no stopping to scan purchases. Guests are automatically billed for what they take as they exit. By eliminating friction from the shopping experience, Zippin gives guests extra time with family and friends to enjoy all amazing experiences the park has to offer.

In the announcement, Helen Milligan-Smith, CEO of Aramark UK commented, "At Aramark UK, we are committed to elevating the customer experience. Partnering with Zippin to launch DUPLO Coffee Co represents an exciting milestone in entertainment hospitality. The adoption of this autonomous approach helps meet the needs of guests who want to make the most of their visit to the theme park. Providing flexible food and drink options with ease and efficiency means guests can do just that - focus on making memories with their loved ones across LEGOLAND Windsor Resort. We look forward to seeing how visitors respond to this new format."

Morgan Edwards, Hotel and Commercial Director, LEGOLAND Windsor adds, "We are thrilled to partner with Aramark UK and Zippin to introduce DUPLO Coffee Co at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort. The cutting-edge concept aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience."

Guests who purchase self-service coffee are billed for their individual selections as they leave the store, along with other purchases. This adds a level of personalization to the frictionless shopping experience, made possible through our integration with DraftServ.

“Draftserv is thrilled to participate in another “first-ever” with our partners at Zippin," said Jose Hevia, CEO/Founder of DraftServ. "Our technology supports an array of beverage dispensers from around the world, unlocking unlimited possibilities and unmatched scalability as we continue our mission to deliver revolutionary innovation to the world’s top beverage players"

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is just the first in a growing number of theme parks partnering with Zippin to modernize their food and beverage experience. Zippin’s flexible checkout-free platform gives operators the flexibility to support multiple payment options and easily add new capabilities that appeal to their customers. The total cost of ownership of a Zippin-powered store has fallen to just a third of what it was a few years ago, making the technology more accessible to a broader range of retail segments. That’s why Zippin is successfully expanding beyond sports and entertainment into markets such as higher education, healthcare campuses, convention centers, business dining, and now, theme park.

“Zippin makes a lot of sense for theme parks that attract thousands of guests per day," said Krishna Motukuri, CEO and Co-founder of Zippin. "High-traffic retailers that convert their traditional stores to Zippin technology often see revenue increases of 78% or more. Perhaps more importantly, visitors can enjoy the park’s dining options without waiting in line, so they have more time to ride rides, see shows, and do more during their park visit.”

Zippin is widely deployed among retailers that serve a high volume of customers in a short period of time, such as sports and entertainment venues and airport retailers. By eliminating the checkout, Zippin drastically reduces shopping times, often to just 30 to 60 seconds. The platform supports high volumes of foot traffic without compromising on accuracy or speed. In many cases, the only thing that limits how quickly guests can shop is how quickly employees can restock the store. Retailers can serve more guests in less time and potential shoppers, who may have shied away from long queues, are now more likely to enter the store and make a purchase. It’s a win-win for operators and shoppers alike.

You can read the full announcement here. For more information about Zippin, please contact us on our website.