Tag: vending machines

Increase the Profit Margin of Your Vending Business with These Quickfire Ways
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Increase the Profit Margin of Your Vending Business with These Quickfire Ways

We understand every vending business owner’s drive toward increasing their profit margin. It is a competitive market, and margins are tight. But what is the way forward here? 

In this blog post, we’ll explore ways to increase your vending machine business profit margin and improve the performance of your business. From incorporating technology to understanding consumer trends, these tips will help you get ahead of the competition and make more money. Read on to learn more!

Trends do Matter 

It is essential to understand trends in the industry to make strategic decisions that will increase your profit margins. By staying on top of the latest trends, you can make decisions that will help you boost your bottom line.

Here are ways to stay on top of the latest trends:

Follow industry news outlets and trade publications: This will help you stay current on the latest news and developments in the vending industry. 

Attend trade shows and conferences: Trade shows and conferences are great places to learn about new trends and form networks that can prove vital to your business.

Keep an eye on your competition: Keep tabs on what your competition is doing so you can adapt and improve your offerings.

The Art of Subtle Promotions 

Quoting a famous old proverb, “all that glitters is not gold.” Not all your promotions need to be flying off that skyscraper. Subtle promotions are an effective way to gain prospects, alluring those making purchase decisions. 

One of the ways to apply this concept to a vending business is by making your products transparent through a glass-front vending machine. This way, customers can make easy purchase decisions, and the visibility of a product makes them eager to purchase. 

Another example of this concept is offering discounts on certain products when purchased together. This is a great way to encourage people to buy more. Posting special deals, contests, and other promotions can get the word out about your business without being too overt.

Subtle promotions can be used to increase your profit margin. By thinking outside the box, you can develop additional ways to promote your vending business subtly yet effectively.

Make it Attention Grabbing 

Vending businesses need to have an attention-grabbing edge. Here are a few key ways to ensure your vending machine business stands out for a better profit margin.

Customizing wraps or decals can make your vending machines eye-catching. You can add your company logo or other graphics to make your vending machines easily recognizable. You can also offer unique products such as healthy snacks or local specialties. Maintaining your vending machines well will make you a professional and reliable business.

Articulate Stocking of Products 

The more organized a display is, the more a value-centric customer base would be willing to splash their cash. Consider the following factors while stocking the products in your vending machine:

  • The type of product you are selling
  • The target audience for your product
  • The location of your vending machine

Common sense is that the more products you have, the more you can sell. The key is to use the shelf space efficiently and stock the products according to their shape and size. Purchase patterns also must be considered.

Consider Installing Another Machine

With another machine, you’ll be able to offer more products and services to customers. Before installing another machine, it’s important to consider space on the premise and installation and maintenance costs. Adding another vending machine can significantly increase your profits. 

Goodwill, That Priceless Trait

It goes without saying, but goodwill is one of the essential traits of any business. Goodwill is a business’s positive reputation with its customers, employees, and the public. This reputation that businesses hold makes customers come onto the pedestal and shake hands with you and for your employees to work with you.

There are many ways to build and maintain goodwill within your vending business. Here are a few:

  1. Excellent customer service – This means always being polite and helpful, promptly addressing customer concerns, and exceeding their expectations.
  2. Offer high-quality products and services – If you keep your vending machines stocked with fresh, healthy snacks and drinks, or if your laundry machines always provide clean, fresh clothes – customers will be more likely to use your services in the future. Customers are willing to pay as long as they receive the desired value. 
  3. Give back to the community – The community where you do your business deserves the best services. Customers appreciate a higher CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) emphasis and reward those businesses with loyalty. 
  4. Be a good employer – When your employees are happy, they’ll be more likely to provide excellent customer service, enhancing your goodwill.

Automation is the Way Forward

Automation can help your vending machine profit margin by improving efficiency and the bottom line by reducing costs and increasing productivity.

You can automate your vending business in several ways, such as using vending machines that accept card payments or implementing an inventory management system. Card payment machines can save you time and money by eliminating the need to count coins and notes, while an inventory management system can help you keep track of your stock levels and ensure that you always have the right products in stock. 

Final Word

There are many ways to achieve a profitable vending business. However, a quality vending machine is critical in running a successful vending machine business. At Vending.com, we offer a wide range of factory-direct, high-quality vending machines Made in the USA. Contact us today!

The Top Five Locations for Vending Machines
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The Top Five Spots for Vending Machines

These days, vending machines are everywhere. Vending machines offer a convenient way to consume food and beverages on the go. Common types of vending machines for sale include wellness vending machines, healthy food vending machines, perishable vending machines, and junk food vending machines.

Businesses and organizations have vending machines installed in various places to meet the requirements of people with in-house beverages and snacks. They select the size and type of vending machines creating an additional source of income while allowing people to get food and drinks at their convenience within the premises.

Here are the top 5 in the list of locations where placing vending machines can be highly profitable for you:

Here are the top 5 vending machine spots in the list of locations where placing machines can be highly profitable for you:

Manufacturing Companies

After extended shutdowns because of the pandemic, manufacturing employees work around the clock to catch up with their production schedules. Through vending machines, they must rely on quick and easy access to healthy snacks and meals.

 Manufacturing companies, some having hundreds or thousands of employees, many of which operate 24/7. Whether they work day or night shifts, employees need breaks. Vending machines are the perfect way to offer them a convenient and affordable pick-me-up.

 Offices

An office is perfect for a vending machine spot as you can provide your employees with the convenience and ease of getting beverages and snacks during break and lunchtime. It can also be a source of additional revenue. There was a reduction in employee office attendance in 2020. However, more employers have recently requested employees to return to the office instead of working virtually. 

We all have days when we do not have time to prepare food to bring to work, which is one of the reasons why office vending machines are trendy. Employees can quickly grab a sandwich or an iced tea on a break without wasting time running to the store. 

 Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Wellness, healthy, or perishable product vending machines make good choices in nursing homes, hospitals, or healthcare facilities. Healthcare facilities are perfect locations for vending machines to offer beverages and food to visitors and staff when they need them. 

Healthy food vending machines at a care facility can be a very impulsive and attractive addition. 

Hotels and Motels

Hotels and motels are fantastic vending machine spots to add various machines to entice impulsive food purchases. Guests will appreciate the convenience of a vending machine. Hotels and motels make great locations for vending machines due to their high traffic and the constant arrival of new guests. 

Universities and Schools

Today’s generation has a craving for beverages and snacks wherever they are. University or school campuses can be ideal locations to install vending machines and attract students towards healthy eating habits.
After-school programs, games, music, and so on are reasons kids spend more time at school. Parents might only have time to pack extra snacks on some days, so grabbing a snack at a vending machine is an appealing option.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the most popular spots for vending machines, you can decide where to install your next vending machines. You can contact us to discuss your specific vending machine requirements and discover the best options for your facility. 

Ref:

Top 10 Locations for Vending Machines | Nayax

Top 5 Best Locations for Vending Machines (mefitvending.com)

Top 9 Vending Machine Locations to Grow Your Business (awafia.com)

Top Locations for Vending Machines: How We Find the Best (healthyyouvending.com)

Top 5 Ways To Expand Your Vending Business - Vending.com
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Top 5 Ways To Expand Your Vending Business

Vending machines offer unique opportunities for business growth. While these machines are often associated with the break room or vending-token sales of the past, modern vending machines have grown to be much more. Vending machines provide a secure and profitable way to sell food and drinks without needing to hire staff. They are versatile and offer various ways to expand your business. Here are the top five strategies to grow your vending machine business.

  Add Products That Cater to a Niche Audience

If your vending machine’s current sales are strong, but you’re looking for ways to grow your vending business, add products that cater to a niche audience. Become the go to place for specifically desired products. For example, if your vending machine is in a school, you may want to offer products like soft drinks, energy drinks, ice cream, and snacks such as hot dogs, sausage, and more to your menu. The same goes for vitamins, protein bars, or anything else that appeals to a more health conscious audience. By choosing to serve a niche audience, you can increase your vending machine sales without adding any risky products that may not perform as well. You can also consider adding products that appeal to specific dietary preferences. Vending machines are highly customizable so that you can add almost any product.  

Add the Latest Vending Machine Technologies

You can further grow your vending business by adding the latest technologies to your vending machines. For example, many new vending machines have a touchscreen menu that allows customers to see product images, videos and add up to three items in their shopping cart. Credit card, debit card and mobile payment vending transactions have gained popularity due to convenience as well. Our Greenlite cashless system provides backend software to track inventory and sales so you only take what you need to the machine when you go to restock products. According to a Cantaloupe and Michigan State study over 50% of vending purchases are made with card readers and 69% of sales are cashless. Ultimately, having a cashless system for your machines will allow you to vend to more customers, increasing your vending profits! 

 Build a Brand Through Your Vending Machines

Vending machines are a great way to sell your products in high-traffic areas where people already congregate. Vending machines can serve as compact mini-stores covered with your branding and filled with your products. Customers will be able to see your company’s name and logo every time they purchase a product. Vending machines can be placed where your target market is, making them ideal for building a brand and customer base.

 Add New Vending Machines To Increase Profit

If you find that your current vending machine sales have reached a plateau, you can grow your vending business by adding new vending machines. Vending.com has great flexible financing packages available to help you increase your income with brand new machines. You may do this by adding new vending machines in areas with a poor vending service currently. Adding vending machines that offer high-margin items can help increase profit. If your break room is jam-packed with customers, you can add additional vending machines to reduce line times and increase productivity. 

 Maintain Equipment Regularly For Durability

Adhering to a regular maintenance schedule can help keep your equipment running smoothly (and your clients satisfied!). Good maintenance will also assist in avoiding larger, more expensive issues in the future. Customers are more inclined to purchase if the exterior of your equipment is well-maintained and polished. Your machine will operate better and last longer if the mechanical components are well-maintained. 

Maintaining your refrigeration unit is one of the most important ways to keep your machine running effectively. We recommend replacing your air filter every 3 months and brushing under your machine’s air intake grill every month. Also, make sure your machine is positioned at least 4 inches away from the wall to allow proper air flow from the refrigeration system.

Install a Vending Machine With a Loyalty Program

Give your customers a way to earn free products by installing a loyalty program on your vending machines. Customers might be required to earn a set number of points before they can redeem them for free products, or they can redeem points whenever possible. Either way, it is easy to grow your vending business sales without increasing the number of vending machines. You can use a loyalty program to reach a broad audience as well as a niche audience. A reward program encourages repeat sales if your vending machine sells products that appeal to all types of customers, such as snacks and drinks. Customers who use the vending machine will earn points toward free products.  

A loyalty program increases motivation for customers to return to purchase from your vending machine. You may also set up a program so that only employees earn points toward free products. You can increase vending sales and generate more revenue by offering a points redemption option. Moreover, the program requires little to no maintenance other than restocking the vending machine and printing the occasional rewards.

As an entrepreneur, you want to grow your company and boost your revenues. This is only feasible if you take a logical approach, which is why you need expert advice. If you are looking for assistance from a reliable vending partner during the growing process, our experts at Vending.com will be glad to assist you. Call us at 1-855-929-1042 right away!

Vending.com - The Best Locations for Vending Machines
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Where to Put Vending Machines: Best Places & Locations

Vending machines are now almost everywhere, offering a convenient and flexible method to enjoy food and beverages on the go. They are automated machines that serve snacks, drinks, energy bars, and other merchandise with easy cash, credit card and mobile payments like Greenlite Vending. Owing to its convenience and easy access to healthy food, a vending machine is a valuable asset that suits various locations. For those looking to increase their income, vending is an exciting industry to dive into, especially with the helpful vending machine financing options available. However, before starting a vending operation it’s important to consider a few critical components when choosing good vending machine locations.

This article will help you better understand how to choose the best places and locations for where to put your vending machines.

Why should you consider locations? 

The location you choose for your vending equipment is a critical component that might decide your success in the industry. You should select an area with a large number of potential clients. Vending is a lucrative industry with passive profits and the best locations are very competitive to get. Many times the locations you want already have a vending operator and other times you may need to persuade the location owner why your vending business will benefit their employees and customers.

The three most important factors for success in a vending business are location, location, and location. 

Finding the best place or location for a vending machine company may be difficult. We don’t want you to buy a machine only to have it go unused. Therefore, securing locations is an important first thought when starting a vending operation.

Analyzing foot traffic is vital: Visibility is an important factor to consider in the vending business. Spots with heavy foot traffic and hungry people are good vending machine locations and can be a great opportunity for your vending equipment to make your money. The cornerstone of a successful business is willing customers who want what you’re selling. Therefore, you’ll need to choose locations with a large volume of people who are interested in the products you’re providing.

Understand competitors: It’s important to understand that the best way to beat your competition is to provide your clients with what they desire the most. When you are in the vending business, you must master multiple techniques to outperform your competitors successfully. We recommend assessing the competition in your area using the following criteria. 

  • Condition of machines 
  • Easy payment options 
  • Product selection 
  • Service quality 
  • Price point

Business contract with property owners: It would be fantastic if you could plug a vending machine into any available location and start selling. However, consent from property owners and a contract is required to deploy your equipment without any hassles. To cover costs, company owners may request a fixed monthly rental rate or a percentage of earnings, depending on their specific circumstances. 

Product offerings must match your location: A great way to provide great customer service and increase your profits is to meet the needs and desires of the people at your locations. Don’t hesitate to do research and ask the location ownership what they want to see in the machines. Providing a balance of snack and drink offerings is important too. It’s common for people to want a snack to go with their drink purchase.

Most Common locations for Vending machines :  

  • Amusement Parks
  • Apartments  
  • Banks  
  • Business offices  
  • Bus stations  
  • Bookstores
  • Factory break rooms
  • Fire stations
  • Gyms   
  • Golf course lounge and other sporting spaces   
  • Healing & wellness spaces  
  • Hotels   
  • Industrial parks   
  • Libraries   
  • Manufacturing plants   
  • Nursing homes
  • Office break rooms   
  • Schools   
  • Railroad stations   
  • Shopping centers
  • Universities   
  • Tourist places   
  • YMCA

Here are the few best, most profitable places and locations for a vending machine to consider.

Schools and universities: Snacks and beverages are appealing to young folks no matter where they go. They often want to satisfy their cravings after a full day of activity.  Why not place a machine where they all congregate? Vending machines on a university campus are perfect for the on-the-go lifestyle or sit back and chill lifestyle of most college students.  

Apartment Complexes: Apartment complexes are densely populated with many occupants and frequently lack dining alternatives. Having a 24-hour vending machine on-site is a great way to find potential customers where they already are and provide snacks and drinks they want so they don’t have to travel to the store. You can sell almost anything from this location, including magazines and newspapers, bread and frozen foods, or hot and cold beverages.  

Office buildings: Customers who don’t bring their drinks, snacks, or lunches have options thanks to vending machines. How many times have you been too lazy or too hurried to bring food from home? If you’re considering putting your vending machine in an office building, evaluate whether the facility has other food available and how much it costs. You have the chance to make a significant profit if you are the only vending machine in the building or if there aren’t many proximity choices for food or drinks.  

Healthcare Facilities: If you are looking for the best vending machine location, try placing your vending machine in hospital lobbies. In addition to being a venue that welcomes visitors frequently, it is also one that is highly secure. Healthy Snack vending machines are a great addition to healthcare facilities for visitors and caregivers to have access to food and beverages whenever they need them.  

Gyms/Fitness centers: Strategically placing a vending machine in a fitness facility lobby is especially effective if you stock it with exercise-related products. Consider equipping your machine with water, sports drinks, nutritious snacks, and protein bars.  

Automobile repair centers: A car dealership is always open and has a lot of foot traffic. These are places customers have to wait, linger and may be more tempted to pass the time with a snack. The sales, technical, and service staff can also rely on vending machines for quick access to food and drink.  

Hotels: Hotels and motels are excellent places to install any form of vending machine to draw customers for spontaneous or regular snacking. Most hotel guests are away from home without their kitchen to tempt them, so why not do it with a vending machine? A hotel lobby is an excellent site to install a vending machine. Most hotels are open to working with anyone who wants to place a vending machine in their lobby.  

Your one-stop shop for all your vending needs: Vending.com 

The vending business can generate a significant profit only when you find exceptional locations. However, identifying and securing good vending machine locations can be challenging. If you need assistance determining the best suitable locations or are looking to start a new vending machine business, experts at Vending.com can help you with the right vending solution. For more information, reach out at 1-855-929-1042 today. 

 

Ref: https://www.vendmedic.com/vending-machine-locations/

Steps to Start Your Own Vending Business - vending.com
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Steps to Start Your Own Vending Business

The vending industry is profitable because it provides consumers with convenience. Statistics point out that the industry boasts an annual revenue of $23 billion in America alone. In this article, we’ll explore why vending machines are an attractive business option and discuss the steps to get started.

What’s in it for me? 

A vending business is a lucrative opportunity that offers a lot of profit potential. Through hard work, dedication and perseverance, vending can provide the income you’re looking for while giving you the chance to be your own boss.  Your vending business can start small and grow slowly as you gain more experience.

A guide to an efficient launch 

 Target market, business type, and other fundamentals 

An informed beginning brims with potential for a better future. It’s important to take some time to learn about the vending industry, before investing too much capital. Our vending specialists are happy to answer your questions about gaining locations, selecting products, setting prices and financing new equipment. We have helped more people get started in the vending industry than any other company.

Location is one of the prime factors to be considered while starting any business, and vending is no different. Gaining locations that have heavy foot traffic and customers interested in your machines is vital and very competitive. Providing locations with quality machines, dedicated customer service and delicious products can help secure valuable locations.

Choose your machines 

Once you have locations and you know what products you want to sell visit Vending.com to see our full line of equipment and choose which machines can service your customers best.

Tight finances?  

Your dreams are not busted if you don’t have all the cash to create a vending business or purchase new machines. Vending.com offers up to 100%  financing and other flexible financing options for qualified applicants. When financing, your vending machines can pay for themselves with just a few sales per day. See our latest promotions here.

Complete all the legal formalities 

A vending business may have fewer requirements to start with but follow the same state-wise provision as any legal business in America.

Vending regulations in America differ based on the types of vending machines and the state you are in. You may find information on this by contacting the local Chamber of Commerce or referring to the state’s business regulations online. 

Companies registering themselves as an LLC, S Corporation, or C Corporation must work with a registered agent of the state. This agent will be authorized to accept legal and government notices on behalf of the business. 

An LLC is required to file Articles of Organization, whereas a corporation must file Articles of Incorporation. Again, it is pertinent to conduct thorough research on the legal requirements or hire a legal advisor to assist you.

Great time to learn more

Our vending machine specialists are eager to take the steps to get started and help you thrive in the vending business. Give them a call today at 888- 929-1042 and see why Vending.com has helped more people get started in vending than any other company.

vending.com blog - Why Vending Machines Should Be Allowed in Schools
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Why Vending Machines Should Be Allowed in Schools

Students don’t always have enough time to have a balanced breakfast or lunch at home or during the school day. This is just one of the reasons why vending machines should be allowed in schools. Luckily, vending machines from Vending.com provide a quick option for a needed snack. Plus, providing healthy and nutritious options may be the only way some students are getting the right nutrition throughout the day. Students and teachers may receive nourishment from snack vending machines by purchasing their favorite snacks in the middle of the day.

The benefits of vending machines may provide a unique element to your school or organization with innovative, low maintenance vending solutions readily available. Convenience and accessibility are the key benefits of vending machines. Choose customized vending machines from a reliable provider like Vending.com that offers food, snacks, or combo machines. For a healthier lifestyle, choosing more healthy alternatives is a must, along with options and selections that are unique for your students and staff. It helps users save both time and money. The icing on the cake is that there are no hidden costs.

How beneficial are vending machines in schools? This is a topic that has sparked several debates throughout the years. We know that some people favor the concept while others are against it. For instance, parents are nervous that their children may engage in harmful eating habits. Most people believe that vending machines exclusively sell high-fat and high-sugar foods. This isn’t the case, according to a CBS News report. According to the findings, the United States government issued a mandate through the Department of Agriculture requiring vending machines to offer healthy, smart snacks rather than junk food. Since the regulation was issued, Frozen Food Vending Machines have provided healthier options. 

  1. Vending Machines Provide Nutritious Food: Some vending machines could sell gum, candy bars, potato chips, cookies, and other products liked by children. Schools may choose the 40 Selection Snack Vending Machine from Vending.com that has a high-capacity to accommodate multiple nutritional foods, such as string e, carrots with hummus, dried fruit, milk, yogurt, veggie fries, and more. This can provide a healthy diet for kids and therefore improve each student’s learning environment. Fresh fruits and vegetables available as snacks in schools is believed to go a long way toward building a healthy school food environment and improving nutrition that will impact the rest of their lives.
  2. Promotes Healthier Eating Habits Among Students: Consuming low-quality foods every day might lead to a lack of learning chances, but so can hunger. If a student is more concerned with the fact that their stomach is growling than with the points in the classroom, their grades will suffer over time. One of the benefits of vending machines in schools is that they allow students to satisfy their food cravings while keeping their attention on teachers and classes. Affordable pricing is crucial, so many schools either engage with local vending services to reduce expenses or acquire the necessary equipment themselves. Schools may also procure affordable used vending machines that are certified from Vending.com.
  3. Vending Equipment For Non-Food Applications: The discussion about vending machines in schools frequently revolves around the quality of the food accessible to students. Today, supply dispensers may be utilized for many purposes, such as providing students with pencils, pens and notebooks to ensure they don’t skip a beat in the classroom. Everyone profits when the school population has high levels of satisfaction. Vending machines increase the school’s revenue while providing students and their parents or guardians with access to the products they need for a successful school day.
  4. Equipment Increases Employee Satisfaction: When students and faculty on the school campus are happy and healthy, the results in each classroom are increased. Multi-purpose vending machines ensure that everyone’s fundamental requirements are met is a slight but significant morale booster that should not be overlooked. People who have easy access to products they desire or feel personally cared for make them comfortable. Also, they are delighted when they witness that their objectives are a priority and the administration is striving to help them in various ways.

Final Thoughts

In being allowed in schools, vending machines can provide students with almost everything they want and should have in a healthy and organized manner. It offers a variety of food and product options that assist students and staff in being focused and productive in their academics. Now that we’ve heard about the numerous benefits of placing vending machines in schools, it’s time to act. Contact Vending.com today to add a new vending machine to your school campus. You can assure that children consume fresh and nutritious food without compromising quality. Call Vending.com at 1-800-548-1982

Vending.com - Blog
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Finding the best location for your vending machine

At the cost of sounding cliche, the top three of the five most important factors for success in the vending business are location, location, and location. It won’t be surprising if the other two are location too. Winning the best location for the vending machine is the first step towards monetizing the capital investment made on the machine. It influences critical business metrics like sales, profits, and average revenue per user. Choosing a poor location for a fancy piece of vending equipment is like keeping your gold in the bank and paying rent for safe keep. It is not only a poor use of your asset, but it also burns more cash for the upkeep. Incidentally, you could check out Vending.com’s profit calculator to simulate your earnings.

Need for a new location

Vending businesses are always looking for new vending machines and the best locations to place them in. The location is where their business starts generating returns or cash. Each vending business owner has their own drive to expand or enter a new location.

  • Starting a new vending business

Vending is a lucrative business with low barriers to entry. Vending machines are easy to use, not too expensive, and quick to generate returns. First-time investors of the vending industry who are looking to save for a rainy day are hungry for new locations. Location owners prefer working with them as long as they are in for the long haul. Vending.com has a specialized focus on helping entrepreneurs becoming successful.

  • Expanding to a new location

Vending machine owners who are already in business are also looking for opportunities to expand. They often start close to their base of operation and slowly expand to adjacent locations.

  • Choosing the right location for maximizing growth

Businessmen who are trained hands at the vending business always seek to maximize growth. If they identify an open opportunity in a high-growth locality that can benefit from the convenience of a vending machine, they pursue it. This adds to the race for space. Our earlier blogpost covers this area.

  • Diversification of risk

Veterans in the business are not only hungry for growth but are also keen to reduce risk. Betting on one or a few locations is like putting all the eggs in one basket. So, they often try to find new localities to place their equipment with diverse demographics and preferences. This helps them tide over challenges due to lagging demand in the areas they already operate in.

Selecting the right location

Newbies and veterans alike are hunting for that attractive bit of real estate where their vending machines can serve more and more customers. But not all places have the same level of earning potential. Successful vending entrepreneurs carefully select the ideal spot for their machines and then go all-out to win the location. While there is no clear definition for the right site, common sense and meticulous consideration of certain influencing factors can help get the best location deal. Some of them are discussed below.

  • Traffic volume

All said and done, like all other retail businesses, vending is a numbers game. The more the number of transactions, the faster is the recovery of capital employed. The machine should be placed in spaces where there is a good level of foot traffic. Public spaces, offices, schools, and other public places are good examples of a good volume of user traffic. These locations often generate the most per-machine revenues.

  • Traffic quality

While the volume of transactions driven by high foot traffic is essential, the kind of traffic also plays an important role. The vending machines in the lobby of the office of an investment bank will have users with high disposable income. The average price per transaction will be higher than a school where children deal in “small change.” This also allows adjusting margins depending on where the machine is located. A good example would be when the same water bottle costs more in the office than at the school.

  • Competition

Competition in the vending business is a necessary evil. When the location you are pursuing has been hosting a competitor for a long time, the competitor continues to enjoy good sales. But it also means you will have to fight harder. Fight harder with the location owner for placing the machine and then fight harder for the wallet-share of the consumer who visits the place.

There are also advantages to placing the machine where there is competition. It is relatively easier to price suitably for the location without experimentation. A common trick is to price the competitors’ product brands at lower levels in your machine and price your unique ones at higher margins. Eventually, in a location with fair competition, the prices of all vendors settle down to similar levels. Then the differentiator is through the quality of products, availability, and the quality of the machines used. This is also an opportunity to showcase and grow your brand’s identity and recall value, and Vending.com’s marketing has the precise support that helps with this.

  • Merchandize

The merchandize that is sold in the machine also varies as per the location. Protein shakes sell almost exclusively at the gym. There is very little chance that an office employee will shell out change for a protein shake at the cafeteria. Potato chips at the gym might only the serve the purpose of testing the resolve of the patrons. They may fly off the racks at a school or a park though.

  • Type of Vending Equipment

It might come as a surprise, but what machine you choose will also depend on your location to place it. The table below shows how certain types of machines will suit almost all the locations, while others fit only a few.

Location Combo Vending Machines Drink Vending Machines Snack Vending Machines Frozen Food Machines Coffee Vending Machines
Schools and Universities ✔ ✔ ✔
Offices ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Hotels ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Shopping Centers ✔ ✔ ✔
Hospitals & Care Centers ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Government Offices ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Transport Service Centers ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Gyms ✔ ✔ ✔
Manufacturing Facilities ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Conclusion

Vending business owners can consider work half done when they have scored the best locations for their vending machines. From there, it is just making them rain.

Experts at Vending.com can guide you to get your new vending business off to a flying start or race ahead of the competition. To know how to pick the best vending machines for your location or suitable locations for the equipment you have in mind, talk to us at 1-855-929-1042.

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Posted on | by pmasters@wittern.com | Leave a Comment on Full Profit Vending Program

Full Profit Vending Program

What does a full profit vending program look like? How much can you, hypothetically, make from your vending machine? Check out our price recommendations below.

Can cold drinks (Major Brands)
Vend Price———————————————————————————————-$1.25
Cost per can———————————————————————————————–.32
Profit per can————————————————————————————.93

Bottle cold drinks (16.9oz-Major Brands)
Sale/Vend Price—————————————————————————————$1.50
Cost per bottle——————————————————————————————-.67
Profit per bottle——————————————————————————–.83

Bottled Water-#1 Selling Beverage (16.9oz)
Sale/Vend Price—————————————————————————————$1.25
Cost per bottle——————————————————————————————-.13
Profit per bottle——————————————————————————-1.12

Chips-Top Name Variety Pack (50 Ct.)
Sale/Vend Price—————————————————————————————-$1.25
Cost per bag———————————————————————————————–.28
Profit per bag————————————————————————————.97

Candy-Top Name Variety Pack (30 Ct.)
Sale/Vend Price—————————————————————————————$1.25
Cost per candy bar————————————————————————————–.70
Profit per candy bar—————————————————————————.55

AVERAGE PROFIT PER SALE: $.88

For more information, contact Vending.com by calling 1-800-548-1982.

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Posted on | by pmasters@wittern.com | Leave a Comment on How to Find Locations for Your Vending Machine Equipment

How to Find Locations for Your Vending Machine Equipment

A common question asked by new people getting into the vending business is, “How do I find the best location for my vending machines?” Some new vendors will get permission to place their machine(s) at places such as their own place of business, a relative or a friend’s business or a business where you know the owner. To assist further, we have listed below a number of businesses to consider when placing your machines. Keep in mind, you are not asking the business owner to buy anything. You are providing a FREE service to them, their employees and their customers!

Start small, one machine at a time

Local businesses with 30-50 employees and businesses with a good number of walk-in customers are good places to start. Choose businesses in your area close to your house. A short driving distance from home is ideal.

Tell them about your “Free” Vending Service

Ask for the manager or owner and ask if you can place one of your new Express Combo drink and snack machines in their business at no cost to them. We recommend you dress professionally and take a brochure about the Express Combo to each location. Be sure to let the business know that you will keep your machine filled with all the top brand products including some healthy selections at standard product pricing.

Replacing old machines with the new Express Combo Vending Machines

A good number of businesses will already have old, outdated vending machines. The odds are high that their current vending machine(s) do not accept credit/debit cards and do not have the guaranteed product delivery feature. The Express Combo, however, has all of these features! It is not too difficult to convince a business that you have a better vending program to service their employees and customers.

List of Locations

Here is a list of possible locations where vending machines can be placed:

  • Amusement park
  • Apartment building
  • Assisted living center
  • Auto brake shop
  • Auto dealership
  • Bank
  • Bookstore
  • Bowling alley
  • Bus station
  • Business office building
  • Car wash
  • Community center
  • Community swimming pool
  • Computer store
  • Dormitory
  • Driver’s license division
  • Dry cleaner
  • Fire station
  • Fraternity/sorority
  • Furniture store
  • Golf course lounge
  • Gym
  • Health club
  • Hotel
  • Humane society
  • Industrial park
  • Laundromat
  • Library
  • Manufacturing plan
  • Medical building
  • Meeting hall
  • Military Reserve/ Guard Center
  • Military Treatment Facility
  • Motel
  • Motor Vehicle Division
  • Motorcycle Shop
  • Muffler shop
  • Nursing Home/ Retirement Home
  • Oil & Lube Center
  • Police Station
  • Private School
  • Public Utility Office
  • Railroad Station
  • Recreation Center
  • Rental Yard
  • Roller Skating Rink
  • School
  • Senior Center
  • Shopping Center
  • Ski Resort
  • Stock Brokerage
  • Telemarketing Office
  • Tire Store
  • Tourist Attraction
  • Truck Stop
  • Trucking company
  • Veteran’s Affairs facility
  • Veterinary office
  • Waiting room (of any kind)
  • Warehouse
  • YMCA
  • Youth center
  • Zoo

Are you ready to get started finding locations for your vending machines? Contact Vending.com by calling 1-800-548-1982 today!

Vending.com - Financing-Options
Posted on | by pmasters@wittern.com

Financing Options

The biggest challenge to investing in vending machines is capital, but it does not have to be.

Vending machines are the proverbial cash-cows that individuals and businesses can earn a constant source of additional income from. But for some, the cost of buying one can delay the decision to invest in other vending machines and vending technology. So how do you invest in a vending machine? Leading vending machine manufacturer, Vending.com, a Wittern Group company, has a history of solving this challenge for interested investors.

For more than 50 years, they have put the power to invest in vending machines in the hands of interested investors both big and small. With financing features like:
• Flexible repayment arrangements to meet cash flow
• Specialized programs to increase sales
• Up to 48-month terms
• Quick credit approval process

buying a vending machine can be easier than buying snacks from one.

Why invest in vending machines in the first place?

An auxiliary source of income never bites. People have always looked at hedging the risks in their income by creating sources that make money for them when they are busy. Vending machines can do just that for you. Like the legendary Warren Buffet would say, this would be the way to make money while you are sleeping.

But it is not just that. Vending machines at establishments like gyms and salons can bring great convenience for your customers and visitors who no longer have to haul bags of water, beverages and health snacks. This can improve customer loyalty and bring recurring footfall that increases your main business. Yes, it is true that vending machines not only help you make money by selling merchandise, but also helping you improve your customer retention. Afterall, happy customers have no reason to try your competition if you make their life easy.

For hospitals, educational institutions and community spaces, vending machines solve a different set of problems. Apart from giving accessibility to people in need of essentials, they help us all focus on our real reason for being in these places.

How to address the financing problem for your vending machine investments?

Now that we have clearly seen that individuals and businesses alike can benefit from buying and installing vending machines, the next inevitable problem is how to invest in a vending machine in regards to the capital requirement. While individuals and small businesses can get a tangible increase in income from vending machines, the availability of capital makes it difficult for them to invest. It might make it less attractive to dip into your reserves or vacation savings, even if one knows that there will be guaranteed returns in the long run.

The story is the same for small businesses when it comes to choosing between paying the bills versus investing in vending machines. The problem is not small for large establishments either. At the end of the day, removing valuable cash or capital from operations is likely to have impact on operations. This is where vending machine financing options like the ones Vending.com provide make it attractive for anybody who might be interested.

Financing is not just for making that first step into the vending world. It can help achieve scalable growth by acquiring more machines to amplify your success.

So what does Vending.com offer as financing options?

Vending.com provides a variety of plans ranging from 6 to 48 months. Each one of them come with attractive APR rates. Consultants engage with buyers to identify the best plan that suits investment appetite and repayment capacity.

What is more interesting is that the financing options are available for not just the machines but for the parts as well. What does that mean for the average buyer? The technology behind vending machines is growing in leaps and bounds. From contactless transactions, to UV sanitization and intuitive back-end web-based device management, there are a lot of ways to monetize your machines. This means that customers can continue to upgrade their machines with the necessary components that can help them generate more revenue. As Vending.com’s financing plans are extended to the parts, making that decision to invest in technology that gives you more revenue becomes a no-brainer.

How can one apply for financing from Vending.com in order to invest in a vending machine?

Vending.com realizes that having such attractive financing options can only be beneficial if interested investors can easily apply for and obtain financing. That is why they have made the application simple and straight forward. One could try the online application form in this link or download the physical application.

Even the estimation of profit before you make the purchase decision is child’s play with this tool that helps you calculate your returns.

Vending.com’s financing plans, combined with the ease of application for finance and the attractive returns on investment, are very good reasons to make that foray into the vending business. A financing specialist will assist you all the way through this secure process.

You can ask for help on this page here, or call 1-855-929-1042.

Disclaimer: Financing is only available with approved credit. (WAC)