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Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part II

April 6th, 2020 | Posted by Lindsay Hottovy in Vending machine - (Comments Off on Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part II)

Part II – What Products Are Recommended to Safely Clean and Disinfect Vending Equipment?

Previously, we delved into why vending is the ultimate solution in the convenience services industry in Part I.  Part II of our four-part series will provide guidance on finding the right cleaning agent to keep your vending equipment disinfected and safe for your customers to use.

As communicated by the European Vending Association, even with the secured product control offered by vending, it is extremely important to clean and disinfect vending equipment often, especially considering the current health crisis due to COVID-19.  Fortunately, the cleaning and disinfecting process for vending equipment is easy and cost-effective. All components on vending equipment, including electronics, keypads, plastic surfaces, and glass surfaces, can be effectively cleaned and disinfected with warm, mild soapy water.

Why is soap so effective against bacteria and viruses, such as the Coronavirus?  Soap is comprised of two-sided molecules. One side is attracted to water; the other side is attracted to fat. Viruses, such as the Coronavirus, are comprised of material surrounded by a coating of proteins and fat. When viruses interact with soap, the soap molecules rip that fat coating out. Soap literally demolishes viruses in as little as 20 seconds.  To learn more about why soap is eVending’s preferred cleaning and disinfectant agent, check out National Geographic’s article Why soap is preferable to bleach in the fight against the coronavirus.

There are commercial-grade cleaning and disinfectant options such as Kay 5 Chlorinating Sanitizer, which is highly effective against bacteria and fungus, and is used primarily for kitchen equipment, soft serve and shake machines and kitchen utensils.  Another option is PURELL® Foodservice Surface Sanitizer, an EPA registered multi-surface sanitizer/disinfectant approved for use on food-contact surfaces with no-rinse required and is currently registered in all 50 states.

If you choose to use a commercial-grade product, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix these products with ammonia or any other cleanser. Also, check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date.  Expired products will likely not be as effective against coronaviruses. You can view all EPA approved disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19 HERE.

For more information on best practices to sanitize your vending equipment or other equipment questions, please contact eVending at 800-944-5524. 

How should you go about cleaning your vending machine? Check back later to find out in Part III.

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Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part I

March 27th, 2020 | Posted by Lindsay Hottovy in Vending machines - (Comments Off on Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part I)

Why Vending is the Ultimate Controlled Dispensing Solution for the Convenience Services Industry

As organizations modify their operations and procedures to best keep employees and customers safe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping across our nation and the world, the need to safely provide food and beverage options remains critical.  

According to the National Merchandising Association (NAMA), “Through our unique food distribution system, our industry can be the greatest source of “contactless” nourishment to over 40 million consumers with food and beverages daily, and it is all accomplished in an unattended retail environment, often with round the clock availability.”

Federal and State governments, along with the CDC, are encouraging social distancing, including reducing or eliminating face-to-face encounters with alternative options such as contactless delivery and self-serve options.  In workplaces, this includes re-evaluating how food and beverages are offered to employees. For example, in the past weeks, many organizations have shuttered cafeterias to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 Recently the NIH and CDC released information on the Coronavirus’ lifespan on surfaces.

  • Airborne: 30 minutes to 3 hours
  • Cardboard: 24 hours
  • Stainless Steel: 2 days
  • Plastic: 3 days

These guidelines have prompted many organizations to further re-evaluate self-serve convenience service options deployed in their organizations such as unattended retail markets.  The risks in these applications is that the food and beverage products are not controlled in such that consumers can pick-up products and return them to the shelves for the next consumer to handle.  With COVID-19 having up to a three-day lifespan on items such as bottled beverages and clamshell salad containers, unattended retail applications may pose a risk of being a spreading point within organizations.

Unlike unattended retail markets where consumers can access and return the food and beverage products, vending requires consumers to purchase the product(s) before the consumer is able to touch the product(s).  Just think in a micro market setting how many people before you may have picked up that plastic bottled beverage or salad in a plastic clamshell before you and put it back on the shelf.  

Besides the product itself having the opportunity to be handled by multiple people in a micro market application, another consideration is the cleanliness of micro market hardware itself.  For example, when consumers access products in micro markets they often come in contact with shelving holding the product. You have risk of direct exposure on the shelf itself, as well as transfer exposure from the product.  Being full secured access, this is not a concern or risk when it comes to vending, as only the operator has access to the interior of the machine including the shelving.

Vending offers the ultimate secured access solution and allows organizations to safely provide employees and consumers with food and beverage products, with little to no risk of contamination from numerous other individuals handling the product.

According to the European Vending Association, “Vending machines are a reliable and safe way to obtain food and beverages. Vending machine operators place food safety as top priority in their daily service, and are trained in protection against infections. During the current health crisis, operators have also put in place measures to ensure that the disinfection of machine surfaces is also carried out as regularly as possible.”

For more information or other equipment questions, please contact eVending at 1-800-944-5524. 

What products are recommended to safely clean and disinfect vending equipment? Check back soon to find out in Part II.

Increase Sales with Custom Branding

March 2nd, 2020 | Posted by Lindsay Hottovy in Branding - (Comments Off on Increase Sales with Custom Branding)

New vending machines typically are either silver or black, which provides the perfect neutral palette to provide a cohesive look in almost any type of environment from office buildings to fitness clubs to manufacturing facilities.  But many locations and operators do not want their vending machines to simply get lost and blend into the background. They want to showcase their brand, while attracting customers to increase sales!   

Picture this. A customer is walking to the service desk at Kent Auto Sales.  A standard gray vending machine blends into the neutral walls and the customer walks right past it without a second thought or even noticing a vending machine is there. 

What if your machine would have been able to stand out, though? For instance, if the machine had been branded with Kent Auto Sales’ logo and signature bright orange branding, the customer is much more likely to first notice the vending machine is there and second, take a glance and notice he can satisfy his snack craving with his favorite brand and flavor of chips. 

By adding a custom wrap, your machine will stand out among other machines. Consumers will be more likely to be drawn to your machines, rather than other machines. This small switch will lead to an overall increase in machine sales. Custom wraps can feature anything, including schools wanting to sport their mascot or businesses looking to gain brand recognition.

Your vending machine can be used to promote anything, including designs meaningful to your location. For example, if your machine is placed in a fitness center, it can be branded with the location’s logo or it can be branded with various fitness equipment. You have control over your machine and the brand your machine promotes.

Luckily for you, you do not have to worry about the creation of your custom vending machine wrap. Using the design of your choice, whether it is a photo, a logo or something else, our marketing team is available to help you get the exact look you are looking for for your machine. Whether you want to create a custom wrap that complements your company’s branding or the placement’s decor, we can help you create the look your machine has been missing. 

Don’t be “just another vending machine” at your location. Instead, make your machine stand out with your very own custom vending machine wrap. Our marketing team is here to help you get started. If you are ready for your machine to stand out, fill out this form or call us today at 1-888-568-4896.

Understanding Your Machine

February 3rd, 2020 | Posted by Lindsay Hottovy in Vending machines - (Comments Off on Understanding Your Machine)

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Nothing is more frustrating than feeling like you are getting into a groove with your vending business and all of a sudden, your bill acceptor gets jammed. Instead of spending hours or even days scouring the internet for a solution, eVending and Vendnet have put together a technical support program to help you understand your vending machine.

Instructional Videos

Vendnet has put together an extensive video library for technical support. This library includes step-by-step instructions on how to complete a variety of tasks, including how to fix your jammed bill acceptor. Even if you do not currently need factory support with your machine, you may find it helpful to browse the videos to learn more about your machine and maybe even learn about things you did not previously know how to do. 

Parts

eVending gives you access to Vendnet’s parts catalog, so you can order the part you need directly online and they will be shipped directly to you. This catalog ensures you have everything you need right at your fingertips, so you can replace switches or even order coffee products for your Coffee Express Hot Beverage Vending Machine. As the manufacturer, we can help you find any part that is included with your vending machine.

Tech Support

Whether you can fix your vending machine over the phone or you need to be put in contact with a local service provider, Vendnet and eVending are here to help. They will give you the technical expertise you need to ensure that your machines are operating at maximum efficiency. 

Digital Tech Resources

eVending is a division of The Wittern Group and have been manufacturing vending machines in Des Moines, Iowa since 1991. For nearly 90 years, we have catered to taking care of our customers, no matter what type of support they need. This includes understanding the ins and out of the vending equipment. Understanding the ins and outs of your machine is crucial in running an effective vending business. That’s why we have provided you with easy access to digital resources, including parts manuals, service manuals, tutorials and more. It allows you to search these resources with ease and allow your business to continue running smoothly.

No matter what type of support you need, eVending is here to help. If you are ever in need of technical support, Vendnet is available Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm at 1-800-833-4411 or contact eVending for additional needs at 1-888-834-3833.

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Elite Series of Vending Machines

January 6th, 2020 | Posted by Lindsay Hottovy in Snack vending machines - (Comments Off on Elite Series of Vending Machines)

When thinking about new ways to revolutionize vending for your customers, what do you think about? Location and merchandise choices are obvious ones, but you should be thinking about other things, such as how products are displayed in your machines and user experience. These aspects of vending are made simple with the new Elite Series Vending Machines from eVending.

The Elite Series Snack Vending Machines are available in two sizes: the Elite Series Snack 5W and Elite Series Snack 6W. The biggest differences between these two machines are the size and capacity. The Elite Series Snack 5W allows you to offer up to 65 selections and has a capacity of 528 items. The Elite Series Snack 6W offers up to 71 selections and a capacity of up to 633 items.  In addition, the Elite Series Snack 6W offers an optional 7th full-sized tray, allowing you to offer up to 83 selections with a capacity of up to 733 items.

Aside from product selections, the Elite Series Snack Vending Machines offer a user experience that is like no other in the industry. This line is fully Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and includes an ergonomic customer interface and an easy-to-use payment system and delivery bin. It also comes with iVend Guaranteed delivery system technology, so if a snack does not vend correctly the first time, customers will get their money back to try again or choose a different snack to vend.

The Elite Series comes with a myriad of standard and optional features for your customers to enjoy. It comes standard with LED lighting that is some of the brightest in the industry, so your products are displayed prominently for your customers. It also comes standard with a 3.5” full-color display and a Braille-identified keypad. The 3.5” display displays the customers’ pricing information and nutritional information prior to making a purchase. This can be upgraded to a 10.1” touchscreen display option. This allows customers to browse products, view nutritional information and purchase up to three items in one transaction. It also opens up advertising opportunities for you directly on the screen in the form of static photos and videos.

Payment issues can be a thing of the past with the Elite Series. Elite Series 5W/6W machines come standard with being able to accept cash and coin payments, as well as PayRange, but why stop there? Add the optional Greenlite cashless feature to your machine, so you can accept credit/debit cards and mobile wallets. Don’t miss out on sales, just because of payment issues.

At eVending, we strive to revolutionize the way we think of vending and we do just that with the Elite Series 5W and Elite Series 6W vending machines. Call us today at 1-888-840-3621 to receive more information.

5 Must-Have Features for Your Vending Machine

December 2nd, 2019 | Posted by Lindsay Hottovy in Vending machines - (Comments Off on 5 Must-Have Features for Your Vending Machine)

Equipping your vending machine with the latest technology is a sure-fire way to ensure that you are setting your vending business up for complete success. eVending provides vendors with standard and optional features to do just that. Below are our top five features that are a must-have for any vending business.

Greenlite

Greenlite Cashless Payment System is an optional feature that will take your vending business to a whole new level. Greenlite offers cashless vending for your machine, meaning that it will accept credit, debit and mobile payments. With less and less people carrying cash around, installing Greenlite is a must in order to increase your profit. In fact, those who have installed Greenlite have reported an increase in machine sales by an average of 35%. Additionally, Greenlite gives you the capability to track your sales and inventory from wherever you are. 

iVend

A standard feature on eVending’s machines, the iVend Delivery Sensor System ensures your customers are receiving their product 100% of the time. This feature uses infrared technology, so if your items are not vending correctly, your customers will receive their money back. They will also have the option to try and vend a different item. iVend increases your customer’s satisfaction by virtually eliminating misvends from your machine.  

ADA Compliant

Did you know that eVending’s most popular vending machine models comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations?  Standard ADA Compliant models include, but are not limited to the Futura Snack and Drink Combo, CB500 Cold Drink, 29 Selection Combo Elevator, and Coffee Express Hot Beverage, as well as our new Elite Series Snack 5W and 6W machines. This means that the usability components of a vending machine must be between 15” and 48” from the floor.  In addition, most of our other equipment models are standard ADA-ready, meaning they have the option to include an ADA delivery box in order to make the unit fully ADA Compliant. This option includes a lift mechanism, so that the product can be delivered at 15”. It also only takes one hand to operate this feature. 

Flexible Product Capability

Product packages are always changing, so what good is your machine if it does not change with them? eVending’s vending machines come standard with adjustable snack and drink selections. This feature allows you to easily configure the machine to fit the product packaging that you are selling. Now, you can forget about trying to find products that fit your machine perfectly. Instead, you can adjust the machine to your products.

Easy Vending

Our machines come equipped with features that make vending easy for everyone. For one, our machines include LED lights to properly showcase your products. It allows your customers to see your products clearly in your machine. Our machines also have customer-friendly controls with large selection buttons and Braille identification. These features make vending easy for everyone.

Give us a call at 888-568-4896 for more information about any of these features and how they can work for your vending machine.

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Boost Your Vending!

November 3rd, 2019 | Posted by Matthew Shattuck in Buy vending machines | Combo vending machines - (Comments Off on Boost Your Vending!)

How’s your vending business going? Whether you are an established vendor operator or just getting started in the vending business, eVending.com’s Fall Special is here to give you a boost heading into the winter. With a 36-48 month term agreement, our limited time promotion lets you pay NOTHING for the first 60 days. Also pay 0% interest for 12 months! That means while your Futura Combo machines are earning money you will be paying ONLY $48 a month for the first 10 months. Maybe you have never bought a vending machine? We offer great financing packages like our Fall Special (WAC), so as many people as possible can make money vending. Like a young child’s temptation to crunch leaves in the fall, this deal is impossible to resist!

 

When you take advantage of our Fall Financing Special you will be getting a brand new piece of equipment with the option of adding a card reader to receive credit cards and mobile payments.  There are many locations out there using old equipment that only accept cash. New equipment, stocked with products a location wants, that accepts credit cards and mobile payments can help you gain more locations and make more money. Locations can depend on new eVending equipment to run effectively. Our brand new equipment is reliable and comes with a 2 year limited warranty.  Plus, our best-selling Futura Combo machine offers an industry-leading 5 year limited warranty. Average life of our machines are 12-15 years.

 

 

This fall is a great opportunity to expand your income with vending. If you are already taking the time to stock a machine or two, have you thought about doing a couple more to boost your income? Our machines are quality-built, American made pieces of equipment that are sure to last you for many, many years to come. Call 1-800-725-7037 to learn more about our Fall Special and how now is a great time to expand your vending income.

The Perfect Combination

October 7th, 2019 | Posted by Lindsay Hottovy in Combo vending machines - (Comments Off on The Perfect Combination)

When starting your vending business venture, you have to consider what you want to supply in your vending machine. Are you going to offer snacks? Are you going to offer drinks? The Futura Combo Snack and Drink Vending Machine makes this decision easier for you by allowing you to offer both snacks and drinks for your customers. The Futura Combo Snack and Drink Machine allows for 20 snack, candy and healthy food options, as well as 9 drink and beverage options, including square, bottle and can beverages, which makes this machine a one-stop-shop for your customers.

There are several features that the Futura Combo Snack and Drink Vending Machine has that makes it stand out above the rest. For one, it accepts coins, tokens and $1-20 bills. Additionally, it is compatible with the Greenlite Cashless System. Greenlite is a cellular-based system that accepts credit cards and mobile payments and allows you to monitor your machine’s transactions. Greenlite helps you sell more snacks and drinks from your vending machines.

One of the best features of the Futura Combo Snack and Drink Vending Machine is the Guaranteed Vend Technology. This ensures that snacks and drinks will dispense, or the money will be returned to the customer to make another selection. It makes the entire vending machine experience more pleasant and eliminates the machine from taking the customer’s money.

The Futura Combo Snack and Drink Vending Machine is ADA Compliant and has been manufactured in Des Moines, Iowa for 88 years. It also comes with a 5-year limited parts warranty. These features make the entire vending experience positive for not only your customers but you as well. As always, the Futura Combo Snack and Drink Vending Machine offers financing, to make vending an affordable business for you.

Do not forget to check out eVending’s Fall Special! For a limited time, pay only $48 a month for the first 10 months. To take advantage of this opportunity, or to learn more about this promotion, contact eVending at 888-840-3621.

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Make Money Without Cash

September 5th, 2019 | Posted by Matthew Shattuck in Buy vending machines | Vending machine | Vending machine business | Vending machine sales | Vending machines - (Comments Off on Make Money Without Cash)

 

For the past 88 years it has been our ownership’s goal to keep our customers up to date on trends in the vending industry. Our Greenlite Cashless System is the latest “must-have” that we have developed to serve our valued customers. Greenlite accepts debit cards, credit cards, and contactless payments from mobile devices. According to a recent census taken by the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) debit and credit cards are accepted on 89% of vending machines and contactless payments (Apple Pay, Android Pay, etc) are accepted on 77% of vending machines. 81% of vending transactions are made with debit or credit cards and 15% of vending transactions are made with contactless payments.  

Years ago people were apprehensive to use cashless payments on vending machines for fear of getting their information stolen or misused. However, now times have changed. People feel more safe and secure using credit and debit cards on machines. Customers feel so comfortable and find using them so convenient that over 80% of all vending transactions are with either credit or debit cards. The same pattern will likely happen with contactless payments on mobile devices. Right now only 15% of vending purchases are made with contactless payments. As the public learns more about contactless payments and grows more confident using them, the number of vending transactions using contactless payments will certainly rise. The Greenlite Cashless System accepts debit cards, credit cards, Android Pay, Apple Pay and other contactless payments. We really want to equip our customers with the tools necessary to thrive in a world that is growing more and more cashless. Greenlite not only accepts cashless payments but it provides the technology and online application necessary to organize and track purchases. Our Greenlite Data Plan users can track their inventory online and see how much money each machine is making. Greenlite also provides access detailed reports from your computer or smartphone. 

On average, the industry is seeing a 18%-30% increase in machine sales after adding a cashless payment system. It makes financial sense to invest in a cashless payment system. Thriving in the vending industry requires accepting cashless payments. For more information about our Greenlite Cashless System contact your eVending sales associate or call 1-888-836-3638.

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Location, Location, Location!

August 2nd, 2019 | Posted by Matthew Shattuck in Buy vending machines | Vending machine business | Vending machine sales - (Comments Off on Location, Location, Location!)

Before getting too far into vending, like buying machines and product, we recommend securing locations. Locations are the foundation on which successful vending businesses are built. Locations provide you customers for your machines. The customers drive the types of machines you’ll need and the products you will sell. In this article we hope to educate and give you confidence to find spots for your vending machines. It is best to start small with just a few locations, so each location you secure is a win. You don’t need to get many of the biggest locations to be successful. Having locations that are really big can be overwhelming to a small vending service. Starting a vending business takes time. Patience is necessary in the beginning, but the payout from vending can be very helpful for earning extra income for vacations, college, retirement and other purchases.

Do you know anyone that owns a business? If you are a little shy about asking permission to place your vending equipment we recommend asking people you already know. Starting off by asking friends or acquaintances to host your machine can be a great way to give your service credibility and important experience. Wherever you inquire about placing your machine, make sure that people actually come there.

Where do many people congregate or pass by? Where do people need quick affordable snacks? These are just a few of helpful to ask when considering where to place your vending machine. Shopping centers, waiting rooms, schools, car centers, and bowling alleys are some good places to consider placing vending equipment. Local businesses with an employee break room are popular places as well. As a general note, blue collar workers usually purchase more from vending machines than white collar, men buy more than women and young people use machines more often than old.

Vending is not get rich quick business. It takes hard work to succeed in the vending industry, but it is rewarding to see your hard work pay off. Finding locations for your machines is an important first step when beginning your vending service. Once you have locations you can move on to purchasing the right machines and product for those locations.