Melbourne’s vibrant late-night food scene is set for a European-inspired transformation with the introduction of the city’s first “sandwich automat.” This innovative concept is brought to life through a collaboration between cult sandwich favorite Nico’s Deli and global food giant Heinz, unveiling the Heinz x Nico’s Night Shift—a unique after-hours sandwich vending experience.
Situated at Nico’s Sandwich Deli in Fitzroy, the six-month pop-up features a self-serve dining model that has long been popular across Europe. Patrons can access freshly made sandwiches directly from illuminated compartments integrated into the wall, offering a novel and convenient dining option.
A European Inspiration
The idea for this vending machine concept was inspired by a recent trip to Amsterdam, as explained by Nico’s Deli co-owner Leo Thompson. “He just saw the convenience and the accessibility and also the atmosphere that these machines created over there,” Thompson shared with News Corp Australia. “There’s nothing really quite like it over here. It was taking and building on the original concept of Heinz and going, ‘Well, what do people really want of an evening?’”
This new venture represents a playful departure from Nico’s traditional daytime service. “There’s no seating, there’s no benches or tables,” Thompson noted. “It’s really meant to be this fast transaction and also it is a bit gimmicky. We can be self-aware enough to go, it’s meant to be silly and playful.”
Collaboration and Culinary Innovation
The automat is stocked daily with a selection of fresh sandwiches, each enhanced by a variety of Heinz sauces. Andrea Payne, Heinz’s head of marketing, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Nico’s Deli. “The synergy between Heinz and Nico’s Deli has made the partnership feel natural, bringing together our iconic sauces with Nico’s delicious sandwich recipes to create a bespoke menu,” Payne stated.
The concept of the automat emerged from a collaborative effort between Heinz and the Nico’s team, who were eager to explore innovative ways to deliver late-night sandwiches to the Fitzroy community. Since its launch on March 12, the public response has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Thompson.
“Melbourne is such a wonderful city for late night culture, food, gigs, music, art, even just pub culture,” Thompson said. “I think there is such an opportunity to see more of this kind of thing.”
Future Prospects and Customer Experience
While fast food vending machines have gained popularity in recent years, Thompson emphasized that customer service remains a priority for Nico’s Deli’s main operations. “People crave that connection and I think that there has to be a place for that in the future of food service regardless of the technology that comes in,” he remarked.
The potential for the Night Shift automat to become a permanent fixture in other parts of Melbourne is being considered, as the city continues to embrace its rich late-night culture. The Heinz x Nico’s Night Shift is currently open from Thursdays to Saturdays, 7 pm to 11 pm, at Nico’s Sandwich Deli Fitzroy.
This development follows a growing trend in Melbourne’s food scene, where innovation and tradition blend to create unique culinary experiences. As the city continues to evolve, the introduction of the sandwich automat may just be the beginning of a new chapter in Melbourne’s gastronomic journey.
