Tag: Vending Machines

 

The Top 5 Locations for Vending Machines for 2023

Vending machines can be an excellent source of revenue in the modern-day consumer ecosystem. The public loves the convenience vending machines provide for them to purchase their favorite snack or beverage and vendor operators love the profitability high-foot traffic areas provide for them to sell these products.

Despite the evident advantages of a vending business, not all new ventures succeed. But success can be achieved if you have the right plan in place from the outset. This article covers five ways that can help vending businesses take a victory march. 

Create a business plan

A marketing plan is a document that outlines your goals and how you intend to achieve them. It details how you will measure your efforts and your success. Creating such a plan can be as detailed or simple as you like, as long as you have a written plan. The more you commit to paper, the more likely you are to follow through with your plans.

A typical framework of your plan may include: – 

  • Where to place vending machines?
  • What services and value will I provide to the location?
  • The prices for the products you will be selling and the value proposition  
  • Deciding on the products that you would be selling through the vending machine
  • Where will I get vending machines?
  • Your target market and customer behavior in the chosen market
  • Marketing and promotions
  • Competitive analysis and preparation
  • The payment methods to be incorporated
  • The hours of operation for the vending machine
  • Evaluating the sales generated by your vending machine
  • And the steps to be taken if the result is not as anticipated.

Hire the right staff

You might assume that your vending machine business does not require any staff. However, if you have many vending machines, you might need the support of additional staff members to manage these machines. Moreover, you may require a helping hand to address inventory management for your vending machine, which may include restocking the machine or managing reorders for high-selling products. Finding staff that will be reliable, hard-working and have the same values you do is important to the success of your business. Making sure someone is the right fit for your team can be a difference for you keeping important locations.  

Vending machine maintenance

One of the biggest challenges vending machine owners face is the maintenance of their equipment. Having a regular schedule for cleaning and maintaining your machines can help you avoid big problems in the future. We recommend purchasing a machine built in America, from a company that has a trusted history of manufacturing reliable vending equipment and that has replacement parts readily available.

Vending machines require professional maintenance and care. You must regularly clean and service your vending machines to ensure they remain in good condition. This will reduce breakdowns, increase customer satisfaction, and thus give you more profits. Purchasing a brand new, reliable vending machine may cost more than an old used machine, but can cost less over the time you own the machine because you won’t need to keep spending money to fix it.

Keeping your exterior well-maintained will definitely attract more customers. You may start by cleaning the housing and exterior of your vending machines regularly. This includes wiping away any dirt, dust, or grime that may have accumulated on the machine. You can also wipe down the machine with a cleaning solution (such as warm water and soap) from time to time.

Increase your product range

Growing your vending business may not just mean scaling your operations or installing new machines but even adding new products to your fleet. There are several ways in which you can do this. It can be as simple as swapping one product for another. You can introduce premium, higher margin products to your machines. It may be helpful to ask your locations what they would like in the machines or ask them if they would be interested in some of the more expensive products you are considering. If your sales do well or if you have a large building, you can also install another machine. 

A road paved for success

The sky’s the limit for you growing your vending machine business. But as is the case with most businesses, launching and growing your business comes with its own challenges. It requires hard work, smart planning, dedication, and a sound strategy. eVending has vending experts to help guide you on your journey toward increasing your profit.  Contact us today!

The Top 5 Locations for Vending Machine Trends for 2023
The Top 5 Locations for Vending Machines for 2023

  Vending machines can be an excellent source of revenue in the modern-day consumer ecosystem. The public loves the convenience vending machines provide for them to purchase their favorite snack or beverage and vendor operators love the profitability high-foot traffic areas provide for them to sell these products. Despite the evident advantages of a vending

Read More

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE SELECTING‍ A VENDING SUPPLIER

A vending business offers a tremendous opportunity to make profits when using the right equipment. A vending machine that breaks down often or does not reliably dispense the products to customers leads to a frustrating experience for all. In the end, you could lose out on valuable income.

 This is why choosing a vending machine supplier you can trust is important. In this article, we will discuss essential questions to ask before purchasing from a vending machine supplier. Asking these questions will help you choose a reliable supplier with a good reputation.

What type of vending machines do they offer?

Some of the options available in the market today include snack and soda vending machines, coffee vending machines, ice cream vending machines, and snack vending machines (and a lot more). You may also consider combo vending machines to sell ambient snacks and refrigerated drinks from one machine, like a two-in-one or one-stop shop.

Determining what type of machine(s) to purchase should be based on the desires and wants of your customers at your locations.  Remember, vending machines are a great way to offer your customers a wide variety of products, both food and non-food, and even hot, cold or frozen.

Does the vending machine supplier offer financing?

The best machines can be expensive but overall a good investment. Financing allows you to generate a cash flow without paying the full machine cost upfront. Financing is a great way for operators to get started without large amounts of capital. eVending offers financing packages to qualified customers that are as little as $2 a day.

What kind of warranty or guarantee do they provide?

It is essential to choose a vending machine supplier that offers a warranty. Look out for a warranty that is reasonable in context. Vending machine warranties and guarantees are offered as extended warranties and service contracts. Understand what your warranty covers and for how long it lasts. Does the supplier offer any other guarantees or assurances? How long will they replace important parts for? How long do their machines usually last? Do they have a parts department?

Have they been in business for a long time?

If a vending machine supplier has been in business for a long time, it is usually because they have delivered what their customers want. A professional organization would be careful not to damage its reputation by manufacturing a faulty machine and ruining relationships with customers.

 The time that a supplier has been in business is not the only thing you should consider. It would be best to look at a company’s track record. How long have curlease customers been with the supplier? Have any customers had any problems or issues with them? We recommend doing research, as any investment you make should bring you sizable returns. 

Do they have good reviews?

The review market has created a niche of its own, dictating the trends that determine the success or failure of a business. You can find reviews for most suppliers online to check if they are reliable, identify any common complaints that keep coming up and analyze their track record. 

Nothing can stop the power and accuracy of word of mouth. You can ask your friends, colleagues, and other business owners in the industry if they recommend a specific vending machine supplier. You might be able to find out if there is a preferred vending machine supplier that most people in your industry use. This can help you narrow your choices to pick a reliable vending machine supplier.

How much does it cost to lease or buy a vending machine?

A few factors that are significant indicators of profitability are: How much does leasing or buying a vending machine from the supplier cost? How much do you pay for installation? If a supplier charges you for installation, understand what the installation fee covers. Will they install the vending machine in one location or more than one location? And will they install the vending machine in a safe place and in an area that sells products? 

If you are leasing a vending machine, how much do you pay each month? You may need to know what the lease price covers. Does it only cover the cost of the vending machine, or does it also cover the cost of installation? 

The choice matters 

These questions are not a standard protocol for choosing a vending machine supplier but are important variables to consider.  If you have any other questions, our vending experts are available to assist you. Give us a call at 1-888-997-5152 and we’ll help you with it.

Five Questions to Ask Before Selecting‍ a Vending Supplier
FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE SELECTING‍ A VENDING SUPPLIER

A vending business offers a tremendous opportunity to make profits when using the right equipment. A vending machine that breaks down often or does not reliably dispense the products to customers leads to a frustrating experience for all. In the end, you could lose out on valuable income.  This is why choosing a vending machine

Read More

6 Reasons for your small business to invest in vending machines

6 Reasons for your small business to invest in vending machines

Small businesses

A key reason for the USA’s success as a major economic superpower is the contribution from small businesses. Together, they account for more than 54% of the GDP and 55% of all employment opportunities. Despite government assistance, like grants and aid, small businesses often struggle to generate enough profits to fund growth or deliver a satisfying reward for the business owner. This is because of the scale of its operations. Almost any small business owner would be more than happy to find ways to improve revenues from their existing store, factory, or office without significant expenditure. The good news is that this is possible with the help of automated vending machines.

Additional revenue

Be it a gym, a convenience store, or even the local dentist’s office, a vending machine can be a valuable addition to your business. An easily accessible stock of snacks and chips for the waiting patrons or accompanying visitors is a quick way to increase your businesses’ revenue. Snacks are the most ideal commodity for impulse purchases, and their mere presence can entice an interested customer to buy, but it does not just have to be snacks. The machine can provide necessary supplies relevant to your business. For example, a dentist’s office probably will not want a vending machine that sells sugary snacks and drinks. Instead, they may place a vending machine that sells oral health products such as mouthwash, floss, and toothpaste. The possibilities are truly endless.

Customer Convenience

Vending machines are not just all about making more money. They are also about giving your customers the extra convenience of not having to run from pillar to post for their trivial needs or hunger-related urges. A customer waiting at a nail salon might leave when she is thirsty and may not return. A gym member may have to miss leg day because she forgot her bottle of water. The presence of vending machines satisfies those urgent small needs that can make or break your individual customer experience, and a small business is nothing if it does not deliver a good experience for its customers. Vending machines can help you do just that through improved convenience.

Customer Stickiness

Convenience aside, vending machines are fun to interact with. They also help your customers avoid trips to different establishments for their more minor needs. More importantly, despite their prevalence, they are still a novelty for kids and adults alike. We all like to see the magic of machines eating up money to throw out snacks and beverages. Together, these factors contribute to a better experience for your patrons or accompanying visitors at your establishment. It is a no-brainer that a better experience brings repeat business and eventually loyalty from your customer base.

Some machines also come with cutting-edge technology that enhances the user experience. An interactive touchscreen makes it easier and enjoyable for consumers to use the machine. Some machines also boast of technology that ensures that no consumer walks away frustrated about a failed transaction. iVend Guaranteed Delivery from eVending is a good example. It guarantees that every product will vend, or the customer receives their money back. It is undeniable that the quality of the service or product will be the best value for the customers of small businesses, but vending machines can augment that value to enhance the overall experience of conducting business with you.

Average Revenue Per Customer

If you are a financially savvy small business owner, one of the yardsticks that you will constantly use to measure success is the “Average Revenue Per Customer”. This is simply the amount a typical customer spends at your business. If you have ever paid a visit to your local bank or a private investor to fund the growth of your business, you have most likely heard this term. Vending machines are an easy way to improve this number. A gym member who is already getting the top membership plan has a minimal scope to spend more at the gym. A vending machine, however, can help improve the sale of health supplements or even essentials like water or towels. Nail salons can monetize their customers’ waiting time. Instead of flipping through the pages of a magazine from 10 years ago, they can sip a can of beverage while they wait. All of this can increase the transactions at your establishment.

Branding & Customer Experience

Vending machines can be an opportunity for you to reinforce your brand. Wrapping the machines in graphics that reflect the branding of your business can generate good top-of-mind recall for your customers. It gives you an unbeatable “cool” factor that may not necessarily translate to dollars in the short term, but can pay off big in the long term. At the end of the day, customers like to do business with successful establishments. Branded vending machines can help you present your success with style.

Summary

Vending machines may not be a part of your core business, but they can help you enjoy benefits like improved revenue, enhanced customer experience, loyal customers, better profitability, and a strong brand. Your only hurdle to enjoying these benefits may be the capital required to buy the vending machine. Reputed vending machine manufacturers like eVending have easy finance options and attractive offers. They can help you buy your vending machines quickly.

If you need a place to start, let us help you. You can call us at 1-866-958-4501 or visit our website www.evending.com to learn more.

Reasons for your small business to invest in vending machines
6 Reasons for your small business to invest in vending machines

6 Reasons for your small business to invest in vending machines Small businesses A key reason for the USA’s success as a major economic superpower is the contribution from small businesses. Together, they account for more than 54% of the GDP and 55% of all employment opportunities. Despite government assistance, like grants and aid, small

Read More

If you have been looking for a way to get started in your own business but at the same time cannot afford to or do not want to quit your full time job, you might want to consider vending machines as an option. Of all the different types of business you can get into, a vending machine route has to be one of the easiest and most profitable.

Vending Machines Always Seem to Make Money

If you look around anywhere you happen to be, you are going to see a variety of vending machines. While there does seem to be a number of them everywhere, there is a funny thing about this fact. If you ask other vending machine owners, they are likely to tell you that you would have to work very hard to lose money running your own vending machine business.

Vending Machines Are a Great Way to Start Your Own Business

If you have been looking for a way to get started in your own business but at the same time cannot afford to or do not want to quit your full time job, you might want to consider vending machines as an option. Of all the different types of business you can get into, a

Read More

When you are ready to start your own snack route, you are going to need access to a company that carries a variety of vending machines. You are going to find that not all places where you want to install one of your machines has the same needs or the same amount of space to work with. This means that you need to be able to buy the right machine for each application or you may not be able to install one in many locations.

We Have Vending Machines for Most Locations

As you browse our online site, you will find that we carry a number of different types of vending machines. Whether you need a table top model for a company break room or a combo vending machine for your local auto dealer’s waiting room, we have machines to fit most locations. We even carry a selection of used vending machines to help you keep your costs down.

We Carry a Full Selection of Vending Machines

When you are ready to start your own snack route, you are going to need access to a company that carries a variety of vending machines. You are going to find that not all places where you want to install one of your machines has the same needs or the same amount of space to

Read More

When you are putting together a break room for your employees, you want to give them a quiet place where they can get away from their job for a few minutes or to sit and eat their lunch. There are certain necessities such as a table or two and chairs to sit on, but if you really want to make it a complete break area, you might want to add one or two vending machines.

We Have a Variety of Vending Machines

At the very least you will want to add vending machines that can provide both snacks to eat and cold beverages to help your employees feel more refreshed after their break. If you think you are not going to have enough space for two machines without taking away from the space they have to relax in, you might want to consider one of our combo vending machines that hold both snacks and cold drinks.

Vending Machines Make the Perfect Complement

When you are putting together a break room for your employees, you want to give them a quiet place where they can get away from their job for a few minutes or to sit and eat their lunch. There are certain necessities such as a table or two and chairs to sit on, but if

Read More

If you are tired of just barely making ends meet and are working all of the hours your primary job can give you, perhaps it is time for you to start looking for a second source of income. One that you might not have thought about, but can provide you with a significant second income is to install several vending machines in businesses around your local town.

Vending Machines Offer Low Maintenance Active Income

Unlike taking on a second job, you will find that vending machines offer a relatively low maintenance source of income. The machines themselves require very little in the way of maintenance, our fully refurbished machines are restored to like new condition. You should be able to do little more than keep them stocked and collect your money, which depending on the number of machines you own should only take a few minutes each day.

Vending Machines Can Make a Great Second Income

If you are tired of just barely making ends meet and are working all of the hours your primary job can give you, perhaps it is time for you to start looking for a second source of income. One that you might not have thought about, but can provide you with a significant second income

Read More

Most of us remember a time when you only needed a little bit of change to buy an ice cold soda or a candy bar from the vending machines.  Over the years the cost of buying these items has increased exponentially and with it the need for snack vending machines that simply having a few coins in your pocket is not enough to buy anything from the average vending machine.

Respond to Your Customers Needs

No one wants to carry a pocketful of change today, it is simply not convenient, especially when you look at the prices you have to charge for the items in your vending machines. Thankfully you do have options that you can put into place that will address this problem and keep your customers spending their money. You can buy machines that not only have a bill slot, now you can buy machines with a built in credit / debit card reader and cell connection for instant approval. Your customers will be very happy to spend their money in your machines when you offer them these options.

Today’s Vending Machines Take More than Coins

Most of us remember a time when you only needed a little bit of change to buy an ice cold soda or a candy bar from the vending machines.  Over the years the cost of buying these items has increased exponentially and with it the need for snack vending machines that simply having a few

Read More

If you have been looking for a business of your own that requires a minimal investment yet offers the opportunity for you to make a decent profit, you might want to consider buying your own vending machines.  You are likely to find that there are a number of different locations in your local area that are perfect for one of your machines and will have the kind of traffic flow it takes for you to make a profit.

Many Businesses Will Let You Place Your Vending Machines on Their Premises

You will find that many of your local businesses will be happy to let you place one or more of your vending machines on their premises.  Some will let you place them inside, while others will make space for you to put them outside. Not only is this good for your business, but you will find that the owners of these businesses understand that by drawing customers to your vending machines, they are also drawing them into their own businesses as well.

Vending Machines Can Be Very Profitable

If you have been looking for a business of your own that requires a minimal investment yet offers the opportunity for you to make a decent profit, you might want to consider buying your own vending machines.  You are likely to find that there are a number of different locations in your local area that

Read More

If you have been looking for a way to get started in your own business but at the same time cannot afford to or do not want to quit your full time job, you might want to consider vending machines as an option. Of all the different types of business you can get into, a vending machine route has to be one of the easiest and most profitable.

Vending Machines Never Stop Making Money

When you look around anywhere you happen to be, you will see a variety of vending machines. While there does seem to be a number of them everywhere, there is a funny thing about this fact. If you ask other vending machine owners, they are likely to tell you that you would have to work very hard to lose money running your own vending machine business.

Vending Machines Offer the Perfect Startup Business

If you have been looking for a way to get started in your own business but at the same time cannot afford to or do not want to quit your full time job, you might want to consider vending machines as an option. Of all the different types of business you can get into, a

Read More