
Japan has always had the market cornered on weird vending machines, so it’s going to take a lot to impress the people in a country where you can buy anything from fresh eggs to crepes from a metal box. But this new cupcake vending machine has been turning heads, not for how bizarre it is (by Japan’s standards), but how cute it is.
Sprinkles, the popular cupcake chain in the US, has just opened a “Cupcake ATM” at its New York store, the first of its kind in the area. It opened just 24 hours ago and the lines have been unbelievably long. Let’s take a closer look at the opening day.
Lines extended around the block, with hundreds of cupcake hopefuls lining up for their chance to use the strange vending machine.
Cupcake ATM? Yes, only in the UES.. #uessolutions #cupcakeatm @sprinkles pic.twitter.com/sODKFYFkGT
— UES Problems (@ues_problems) March 25, 2014
So, yup, there's a line to use the cupcake ATM at @sprinkles. pic.twitter.com/dbL9lhYbtS
— Benjamin Bell (@BenjaminBell) March 25, 2014
Once visitors finally made it to the front of the line, they were presented with the “Cupcake ATM” dressed in pink, looking somewhat similar to a conventional ATM.
"Cupcake ATM" hizmete açıldı… http://t.co/lvL7SPZo7k pic.twitter.com/WtpSpzrz2w
— CNN TÜRK (@cnnturk) March 26, 2014
24-hour cupcake ATM opens in New York. Yes, a cupcake ATM. http://t.co/UKVUdURX9C @sprinkles pic.twitter.com/vvxhQOeTnf
— David Sim (@davidsim) March 26, 2014
Using the ATM screen, visitors can choose up to four cupcakes to purchase at a time for $4.25 each.
ICYMI: Cupcake ATM opens for business on UES. See it in action http://t.co/oAeAHLExoa pic.twitter.com/ej0XYm9Hbh
— DNAinfo New York (@DNAinfoNY) March 26, 2014
The cupcakes are dispensed in brown cardboard boxes to the right of the ATM screen.
Amazing CupCake ATM Lexington in NYC. UX is truly surprising. Cup Cakes delivered by robotic backend. pic.twitter.com/vtLyKP33E1
— Mauro Usability Sci. (@PulseUX) March 26, 2014
The Cupcake ATM is open 24-hours and is restocked by Sprinkles employees several times throughout the day. It has proven to be extremely popular amongst New Yorkers, lines on opening day continued into the evening.
https://twitter.com/_meganferguson/status/448609222159503360/
If you live in Japan or have been reading RocketNews24, you’re probably used to seeing strange vending machines from Japan. How does this Cupcake ATM compare?
Source: Business Insider

The first ever pizza-dispensing vending machine in Japan is now operating in Hiroshima
Tokyo gets its first subway station ramen vending machine
Weird Japanese vending machine art installation has us sweaty, disturbed
You can now buy Japan’s popular Yoku Moku Cigare cookies from a vending machine
Japan’s first beef bowl vending machine goes into service in Tokyo
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Studio Ghibli releases huge new wooden clip collection featuring 25 anime movies
Starbucks Japan adds new Frappuccino, Tea, and Chillax Soda to its limited-edition summer menu
Can instant TKG from Don Quijote really recreate Japan’s beloved raw-egg-on-rice dish?
Tokyo and Osaka make it into this year’s EIU ranking of the world’s Top Ten Most Liveable Cities
Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea raising ticket prices, free Fast Pass ending next month
Shinkansen trial of moderately air conditioned cars draws mixed reactions from travellers
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Three new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Solid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Thirsty buyer trolled by Japanese “mystery” vending machine, gets a liquid, but not one to drink
Classy pipes, intestines, and a taste of the past all can be yours from Asakusa vending machines
This may look like an ordinary vending machine from afar, but it’s a different picture up close
Japan’s most iconic vending machine food returns, but without the machines?!?
Japan’s vending machines are no match for counterfeit coins
Mysterious eyes found in Japanese vending machine coin slot
Japanese Twitter user documents month-long crusade to buy a drink from a vending machine
Japanese vending machine is the first of its kind, operated by a local business
Japanese drinks company attaches free “rental umbrellas” to its vending machines in Osaka
Beautiful vending machine in rural Japan quenches visitors’ thirst, respects the historical scenery
Vending machines in Japan are now selling disposable diapers
First-ever foot-operated vending machine appears in Japan during pandemic
Bottles containing flying fish now available from Japanese vending machines in Tokyo