In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch's Vending & OCS Nation, it’s the first installment of Bob Tullio’s powerful two-part conversation with Josh Rosenberg, the founder of Forward Thinkers, who delivers an unfiltered look at the forces reshaping the convenience services industry. Drawing on decades of leadership experience from his years at The Coca-Cola Company to building and scaling Accent Food Services, Rosenberg shares candid reflections on leadership, resilience, operational execution, AI adoption, automation and the evolving M&A landscape. Rosenberg discusses the defining moments that shaped his leadership philosophy, including the challenges of scaling a multi-state operation, navigating business setbacks and overcoming deeply personal adversity. His perspective on learning through failure and leading through uncertainty offers valuable insight for operators facing rapid change in today’s market. The conversation dives deep into why operational execution, not just vision, is the true differentiator for growth. Rosenberg explains how clarity, cultural alignment, and human capital optimization often matter more than simply adding more people or equipment. He outlines why operators must think beyond vending machines and begin acting as strategic retail operators.

Bob and Josh also tackle some of the industry’s biggest questions:

• How AI is moving beyond “advanced Google search” into true operational automation
• Where smart markets and smart coolers create real opportunity and where they’re overhyped
• Why operators must rethink supplier dependency and embrace more diversified product strategies
• How data-driven merchandising is redefining consumer engagement
• Why local and regional operators remain uniquely positioned to compete against large strategic consolidators

Finally, Rosenberg offers his perspective on the current M&A environment, the rise of private equity, and the emergence of entrepreneurial newcomers entering the market through smart retail technology. His “barbell effect” analysis paints a compelling picture of an industry simultaneously consolidating and innovating.