Dean Prather's story at Quality Vending & Coffee in Kansas City, might remind you of Jon Holden's story at All Star Services in Michigan. Proof that son-in-laws can be a great hire!

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, Prather takes host Bob Tullio on a company tour of Quality Vending & Coffee, a company that has served the greater Kansas City metro area for decades. He also shares the company journey and his own personal route to becoming a prominent figure in the convenience services business. As it turns out – he has emerged as an inventor and his product is having a positive impact with operators around the country.

This is part one of a two-part episode, because once Dean Prather gets going in an interview, he has some excellent insights to offer. Part two will be released on Tuesday, September 3rd.

Like so many great companies - Quality Vending and Coffee was started in a garage. In 1991, Don Miceli and his late wife Jo Beth launched the company, a bold move following Don’s 30 years in the business working for Interstate United and another local independent operator. Don and Jo Beth decided it was time to do their own thing and they brought in their son Carl as well.

Less than a year into their new venture and with a growing list of accounts, Don reached out to his son-in-law, Dean Prather, about joining their team. Over 30 years later – Prather, now a co-owner, knows he made the right choice.