Table of Contents

Walmart, 7-Eleven Expand Self-Service Key Duplication

Walmart is significantly expanding its rollout of self-service key duplication kiosks from KeyMe Locksmiths, reinforcing the shift toward automated, zero-labor retail services. In 2025 alone, Walmart added 1,667 new kiosks, more than doubling its in-store footprint. By the end of 2026, KeyMe kiosks will be available in over 3,330 Walmart locations.

KeyMe’s kiosks use computer vision, multi-camera 3D scanning, and machine-learning algorithms to analyze a key’s teeth, compensate for wear, and digitally restore it to factory-original specifications. The system then cuts the replacement key on the spot, enabling high accuracy even with heavily worn keys.

Beyond Walmart, KeyMe expanded aggressively in 2025 across a broad retail base including 7-Eleven, Albertsons, Kroger, Meijer, Staples, Stop & Shop, WinCo Foods, Army & Air Force Exchange Service, and others. The company also launched a 10-store pilot with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

According to CEO James Moorhead, self-service key duplication delivers advantages traditional manual cutting cannot: expanded key selection, advanced car-key capabilities, zero labor, zero inventory, and reduced operational burden for retailers. KeyMe now operates more than 7,500 kiosks nationwide, supported by a full suite of traditional locksmith services.

Bottom line: Key duplication is emerging as a scalable, high-margin, unattended retail category—combining AI, robotics, and computer vision to turn a once labor-intensive service into a fully automated in-store experience.

See ChainStorageAge for original post — the news of was announcement by KeyMe on PRnewswire

📍 MinuteKey

Pros

Fast, self-serve key duplication for standard keys — often in about a minute.
Widely available in grocery/retail stores, hardware stores.
Offers key fob and some car key support at select kiosks.

Cons

No digital key storage or app integration — you get your key and that’s it.
Mixed customer reviews and quality issues reported (poor cuts, wrong blanks, long wait or shipping issues).
Fewer built-in professional locksmith services compared to KeyMe.

👉 MinuteKey is solid for a quick spare key if there’s a kiosk nearby, but quality and reliability can vary by location.

Comparison of KeyMe and MinuteKey

KeyMe

Pros

Advanced scanning & cutting — digital 3D scan + computer vision improves accuracy.
Mobile app + key storage lets you reorder copies later.
Offers full locksmith services nationwide — 24/7 lockout, rekeying, car key programming via technicians.
Larger network of self-service kiosks in stores like Walmart and Kroger.

Cons

Quality can still vary depending on kiosk/blank inventory and key type.
Some reviewers mention keys that don’t fit perfectly or accuracy issues.

👉 KeyMe is generally more feature-rich, especially for digital key storage and professional services beyond simple duplication.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose MinuteKey if:

You just need a quick, cheap physical copy of a standard house key.
You don’t care about saving the key in a digital app.
There’s a kiosk nearby and you want convenience without calling a locksmith.

Choose KeyMe if:

You want digital scanning and storage, so you can reorder keys later.
You might need professional locksmith help (lockouts, car keys, fob programming).
You want potentially better accuracy via advanced scanning tech.

Notes & Tips

Kiosk limits: Both systems depend on having the right blank available — unusual profiles might require a locksmith.
Security: Digital key storage is convenient but introduces new considerations around who can scan and save keys.

More Key Copy Resources

Posts 2026: 77