Automatic Merchandising Company operated and installed vending machines. A signature product was the Auto-Snak, a set of food vending machines which dispensed soda, coffee, milk, sandwiches, soup, salads, pastries and ice cream. These automat style vending machines emerged in America after the invention of the first coffee vendors in 1946 that allowed for the use of vending machines for coffee breaks, cutting needed catering staffs in large factories. By 1950 the first refrigerated sandwiches were being sold. During the 1950s companies like Automatic Merchandising expanded their operations to include support kitchens, and staff to allow factories to continually maintain vending stations in several locations in factories for their workers.

Automatic Merchandising Company was headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and had a branch in Detroit, Michigan. Executive William S. Fishman (1916-1991) ran the company from 1941 to 1959 when the firm was merged with Davidson Brothers to become Automatic Retailers of America Inc. In 1994, the company changed its name to Aramark Corporation, which today is one of the largest food service, facilities, and uniform service providers.