A Normanville favourite known for its pizzas, fresh fish and chips and classic coastal takeaway fare is taking things one step further, installing one of the few pizza vending machines operating in South Australia.
Fast Eddie’s has become a go-to spot within the local community, while visitors regularly travel to the small coastal town for a slice of its homemade, cheesy pizza.
Owner Jason took over the former Normanville Fish and Pizza around five years ago and has since built a strong reputation for the shop’s pizzas.
“In Normanville, nothing is open after 8pm, including us, we all shut at 8pm,” Jason said.
“We thought we would try to offer something after 8pm, and that’s where the pizza vending machine came in. I know they’re big in Europe and big in the US, and I thought, “Well, why not do it here?.”
The gap in the market has now been filled in with the vending machine being stocked by Fast Eddies each day, it holds up to 57 pizzas and can have a pizza in your hands within five minutes.
The team removed part of the shop’s front window and brickwork to install the machine directly into the façade. The pizzas are made fresh by the Fast Eddie’s team each day before being loaded into the machine.
“Basically, it’s a robot, so you select the pizza you want on the screen, hit the payment button and pay by card,” Jason explains.
“The robot arm then grabs the pizza, brings it over to the cooking chamber and unboxes it.
“It takes the pizza into the oven and cooks it in between four and five minutes, depending on whether it needs to preheat first. It then puts it back in the box and dispenses it.”
The vending machine uses long-wave infrared cooking technology, which Jason said produces heat similar to the traditional oven used at Fast Eddie’s.
“When we’re busy in summer and experiencing a really big rush, it can take up to half an hour to get your pizza.
“This machine will just keep pumping them out every four to five minutes.”
The machine is stocked with a range of flavours, including lamb gyros, a local favourite, as well as Hawaiian, Margherita, meat lovers and barbecue chicken.
“We chose popular pizzas, but we also thought about the different demographics we would be selling to.”
They’ve even included a sneaky lasagne for those who prefer pasta.
Jason hopes to install another two vending machines across the Fleurieu Peninsula before summer, bringing the convenient late-night option to more coastal towns.
With the unique offering now serving customers 24/7 or until sold out, it’s a reason to travel down the coast.
Fast Eddies’
Where: 2/91 Main Rd, Normanville, South Australia
For more, click here.
