Author: Phil Masters

Phil Masters has witnessed and shaped the convenience services industry for over five decades. Since earning his associate's degree in Marketing in 1970, Phil has played a pivotal role at Vending.com and The Wittern Group, Vending.com’s parent company. He’s been a key contributor and leader in evolving vending solutions. His impact surpasses the typical roles associated with sales. He has pushed boundaries and embraced change by spearheading new stylings for Vending.com’s vending equipment line and pioneering corporate partnerships and branding campaigns with iconic companies like Harley Davidson, John Deere, General Motors, Ford, and others. Phil is fortunate to be a part of driving the success of Vending.com and looks forward to celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2031. He’s thankful for the opportunities to introduce new programs and provide innovative and tailored solutions to help individuals and companies reach their vending goals and thrive in an ever-evolving market.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Break The Mold with Custom Vending Machines

If you have browsed the selection of vending products available at Vending.com, you likely know already that we proudly offer some of the best drink, snack, and combo vending machines in the industry. However, the world of vending has always expanded beyond sodas and munchies, and many machines conveniently dispense novelty vending items you would have to go to specialty or grocery stores. Fortunately, Vending.com has expanded with the industry itself, as we offer a quality selection of non-standard vending machines. If you run a bowling alley, you likely deal with customers constantly needing small products such as cleaning sprays and wrist bands. Rather than spend payroll keeping someone behind a counter to provide these goods, you can invest in a bowling vending machine from Vending.com. This convenient product dispenses everything a dedicated bowler needs, and allows your establishment to generate cash long after your day staff has gone home. We also sell vending machines that dispense car care and tobacco products, which allow you to earn income from customers who would otherwise be going to specialty stores for these products.

As you can see, our commitment to quality vending reaches far beyond snack machines. With a wide suite of novelty vending products for any establishment, Vending.com is proud to help all types of business enjoy steady growth.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Maximize Refreshment with Soda Vending Machines

While we have previously highlighted some great strides in the vending industry, the classic soda vending machine stands as one of the most popular and necessary machines in the world. Even in a world where a vending product can serve customers full meals, mp3 players, shampoo, and anything else, few things satisfy like a delicious beverage when you need one most.Vending.com is well aware of the necessity of classic drink vending machines, which is why we offer a variety of products perfect for any establishment. Our 12-selection machine allows you to offer your customer maximum variety by stocking a variety of soft drinks, juices, and waters. If your office or waiting room has limited space, our smaller 6-selection machines are ideal for providing all of the essentials in the workplace. If your establishment is somewhere in between, our 10-selection device marries compact convenience with all of the choices customers love.Even in our technology-driven day and age, customers’ desire for quick refreshment is still one of the major pillars of the vending business. With this in mind, all of our vending machines for sale are available for great prices with a variety of flexible financing solutions. Every business deserves to earn some extra profit, and our drink vending machines are one of the best places to start.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Brands You Love: Frito Lay

In addition to providing some of the most reliable vending machines for sale and most affordable vending machine financing in the industry, we are also proudly affiliated with some of the most esteemed companies in the food business. Among our associate list is Frito-Lay, a popular American favorite when it comes to chips and a household snack name that hardly needs an introduction.

Almost every snack vending machine in the country is stocked full of Frito-Lay products, and for good reason. With a rich history in the food business dating back to the 1930s, the popular Frito-Lay name has evolved into America’s favorite go-to brand for everyday snack chips such as Lay’s, Doritos, and Tostitos. Almost everyone can say they have enjoyed a Frito-Lay snack at one point in their life, and the iconic brand’s product line continues to grow every year. Frito-Lay also fully supports the new healthy trends in the vending and snacking industries, as evidenced by their quality Baked! and Simply Natural products.
Frito-Lay should already be at the top of your list when considering what products to stock in your new snack vending machine. If you need any additional proof, you can read up on the company at their official website, or simply pop open a fresh bag of Lay’s. Why give your customers any less than their favorite American snack chip?

About Vending.com

Vending.com brings together a multitude of vending expertise through our circle of services. Everything you need to start, grow, or manage your vending business is provided through our easy online access. We provide vending services, financing, vending industry news, technical repair, parts and much more. Vending.com is one of the companies under the Wittern Group umbrella. Whether you are an entrepreneur starting your own vending machine business or expanding your current business, Vending.com offers you a full-range of vending machines, financing, location assistance and other services to meet all of your vending needs. As a full-line vending sales company we provide customers nationwide with the right equipment for their client’s location. Our large selection of snack, soda machines, hot beverage, cold and frozen food and other quality vending machines can be configured and customized to fit any size location from small businesses to large factories. Let our network of vending machine companies go to work for you.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Healthy Vending: A Trend to Be Happy About

Here at Vending.com, we work closely with our trusted affiliates who are as dedicated to providing our clients with the best drink and snack vending machines as we are. One of our many proud partners is Healthier Vending, who specialize in providing schools with health-conscious vending machines.

While the average school vending machine is likely stocked with sugary colas, greasy chips, and fattening chocolates, Healthier Vending’s machines are specially designed to keep in line with healthy food trends and promote a healthy lifestyle while still carrying plenty of tasty treats. Some of the featured products in a Healthier Vending snack vending machine include Baked! Lays, Nature Valley bars, Rold Gold pretzels, and V8 juices. Who said healthy snacking had to be tasteless and boring? According to a recent testimonial from a Healthier Vending client, a specialized healthy vending machine made over $1,200 in its first few weeks, proving that there is still plenty of profitability in healthy food trends once you take junk food out of the equation.

Recent news stories reveal that cities are cracking down on the caloric content of their vending machines in an effort to encourage healthy habits. Providing healthy food products is more important than ever and the vending machines for sale from both Vending.com and our affiliates make it easy and affordable to help your customers cut down the calories.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

New Vending Trends for 2013

As with any industry, the world of vending machines is rapidly evolving by the minute. What was once a business based on dispensing gumballs for quarters has evolved into a full suite of diverse services ranging from snack vending machines to fully-featured food machines. VendingMarketwatch.com has outlined the 5 biggest trends in the vending machine industry for 2013, ranging from new refreshment options to innovative ways of paying for snacks and sodas. The highlighted trends were as follows:

Healthy Vending – Read our blog or any vending news source for that matter, and you will immediately notice that healthy vending is here to stay. With new health regulations popping up all over and quality replacements for sugary treats, a good majority of vending machines all over the country are including calorie-conscious snacks.
Cashless Vending – Cashless transactions are becoming more and more common in every industry, and vending is no exception. Most current snack machines accept credit cards, and future products will allow for purchases with the swipe of a smartphone.
Micro markets – This new-age form of shopping puts a full store’s worth of product at a customer’s fingertips, and will likely complement the vending industry for years to come.
Machine Upgrades – Technology is evolving rapidly, and machines are following suit. From flatscreen displays to infra-red product scanners, the vending machines of the future are happening today.
Coffee – Customers love coffee. They also love vending machines. The two will make a strong pair for a long time.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Newt Gingrich to Appear at NAMA OneShow

The National Automatic Merchandising Association, or NAMA, hosts a yearly convention called the OneShow, where vending professionals and food companies from around the world gather in celebration of the vending machine industry’s latest and greatest innovation. The show typically draws guests from all different industries, and this year is no different. One of OneShow’s most notable guests for 2013 is former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who will appear at the show to deliver the keynote address.

This world-famous public speaker will ring in what is sure to be a memorable few days for the vending machine business. Kicking off on April 25th at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, this multi-day event will celebrate all things vending, while giving industry insiders an early glimpse on the products and technology that will be soon be entering the business.

With OneShow only months away and new vending innovations being revealed almost daily, now is a better time than ever to become part of this exciting industry. By purchasing one of our affordable vending machines for sale, you will be opened up to a whole new world of business that is sure to bring profit to your establishment for years to come.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Malt Liquor found in Pepsi Vending Machine

Well here is something you do not hear about every day. Imagine strolling to your favorite Pepsi vending machine in search of a delicious sugary beverage, only to find a few bottles of malt liquor tucked away where sodas used to be. According to the DCist, this is exactly what happened in Washington D.C. a few days ago.

The malt liquor was found in a drink vending machine in the Trinidad neighborhood. MPD officers have since disabled the machine, which was charging $3 for the malt liquor in an attempt to sell the drink to minors. The police have yet to find out who exactly found their way into the machine and filled it with some not-so-appropriate beverages.

You certainly won’t find malt liquor vending machines here at Vending.com. What you will find, however, are some of the industry’s best snack machines at even better prices. From soda and chips, to coffee, to everything in between, we have a machine that will instantly add value and revenue to your establishment. With flexible financing options and a dedicated support staff, are vending machines for sale are among the very best in business. And they certainly will not get you into any legal trouble.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

A Vending Machine Worth Remembering

While the upcoming Memorial Day weekend means different things to different people, there are two things on almost everyone’s minds: Food and drinks! People everywhere often take this three-day weekend as an opportunity to indulge in their favorite meals and beverages with close friends, whether they choose to do so at barbeques or dinner parties. However, just because the general workforce is off for Memorial Day doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be optimizing your vending machine business for the big holiday!

Sure, a large sum of people will be kicking back at home with their own stash of food and drinks, but many others will still be working hard on this national holiday. Everyone from retail workers to chefs will have a busy memorial day at work, so make sure your snack and drink vending machines are well-stocked with the products they love! Your customers will certainly appreciate having a well-stocked machine to turn to when working a holiday, so this is a chance to have your machine make a real impact.

No matter what your line of work is, we hope you have a safe and exciting Memorial Day weekend. And remember, a properly-stocked vending machine goes a long way for hungry customers on holidays!

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

NAMA OneShow Enjoys Unprecedented Attendance

The NAMA OneShow just wrapped up a few weeks ago in Las Vegas, giving all members of the vending machine industry a glimpse of what the future of the business is looking like. The annual big event was bigger than ever this year, as NAMA revealed that this year’s convention set a new record for show attendance.

According to Vending MarketWatch, this year’s OneShow broke records in both crowd attendance and exhibitor numbers.

“Our industry is on such an important growth trajectory and the NAMA OneShow certainly is reflective of that,” said OneShow Executive Director LyNae Schleyer in a statement. The show was met with tremendously positive feedback from new exhibitors and industry veterans alike, as the event allows both big and small brands to grow their businesses.

The NAMA OneShow is an annual celebration of all things vending and includes everything from speeches to product demonstrations from people all over the vending industry. This year’s event was headlined by keynote speeches from Newt Gingrich and Magic Johnson and had high-profile sponsors such as Kraft and Hershey’s.

We’re thrilled to know that the OneShow was a huge success, and we certainly are looking forward to next year’s event. If this year’s OneShow has you inspired to enter the business, our snack vending machines make a great place to start!

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Act Fast for Free Water!

Few things go together like bottled water and vending machines. Almost any drink vending machine on the street has a supply of fresh water, and earth’s natural beverage is a healthy, universally-loved refreshment. If you are looking to get your own vending business moving and supply fresh water to all of your clientele, our current promotion makes it easier than ever!

Thanks to our exciting bottled water offer, you can receive 18 free cases of 20 oz. water bottles with the purchase of a drink or combo vending machine. Not only will you gain one of the best products in the business by obtaining a GF19 CB300 Satellite, you will be treated to roughly $500 worth of free water! The profits will be coming in instantly thanks to the generous supply of extra product we are proudly providing. Whether you are looking to make your first foray into the vending industry or want to add to your growing suite of machines, this limited-time offer can help your business tremendously.

Click here to learn more about this special opportunity to save on one of our very best machines. Everyone needs a fresh bottle of water, and our promotion gives you a free head start on the products your customers love most!

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Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Diet Coke Reveals World’s Most Slim & Skinny Vending Machine

We all know that, in general, vending machines for sale are getting leaner in terms of caloric content, but what about the actual size and shape of the product? While Coca-Cola has been promoting slim sodas with their Diet Coke brand for decades, they are now taking a more literal approach with their brand-new skinny drink vending machine.

Appropriately dubbed “The Slender Vender,” this ultra-slim Coke soda vending machine has been popping up in a variety of locations around the United States. A vending product this small was sure to get big reactions, and Coca-Cola was wise enough to capture some of the best ones in the YouTube video below:

The clip not only spotlights the construction of this one-of-a-kind Coke soda machine, it also shows the versatility of a truly slim vending machine. The “Slender Vender” can be seen hiding between larger vending machines, standing amongst treadmills at a gym, and in-between bowling lanes at an alley. It’s certainly a smart way to market the calorie-conscious Diet Coke product, and is unique enough to make many stop in their tracks and grab a cola. In an age where vending machines seem to always aim bigger, it will be interesting to see if the “Slender Vender” encourages vending machine manufacturers to create smaller, more versatile devices.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Hostess to Re-Launch Bakery

Hearts all over the world were crushed several months ago when it became known that the Hostess brand would be shutting down key operations. In addition to job losses, snack enthusiasts were devastated at the thought that their beloved Twinkies might never see the light of day in their local snack machines. Well, Twinkie fans, time to rejoice! Under new ownership, Hostess Brands will be relaunching its Twinkie Bakery in Columbus, Georgia, which will help put the mega-popular, cream-filled delicacy back in the hands of the people who love it most.

According to Vending MarketWatch, Hostess will create 200 jobs to help support the Twinkies bakery re-launch, with more positions opening up over several years. The facility will begin operating again this summer, producing the ever-desired Twinkies along with other favorites such as HoHos and Ding Dongs. This new development has been made possible by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, who purchased select Hostess assets this April.

This will hopefully put these world-famous treats back in vending machines all over the area, bringing a smile to those who thought the products would be long gone. Twinkies and various other Hostess products have been a staple of the vending machine business for decades, so we are delighted to see them pop up more often than ever!

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Save Big on Snack Machines for a Limited Time

The snack machine is one of the most versatile and popular vending machines in the business, and ours are some of the most affordable around. While we always have great prices on our vending products, our current promotion will allow you to get a snack machine for your establishment for a lower cost than ever. If you have decided to start a new vending venture for the spring season, Vending.com is here to help you get started for cheap!

Our current financing special can put a snack or drink vending machine in your establishment for as low as $58 a month! For next to nothing, you can gain a valuable source of revenue for your business that will surely pay for itself over time. You can purchase our snack vending machines for a whopping $200 off, and we are currently offering white glove delivery on all of our drink machines. With free delivery options, you can be saving as much as $345 on your vending purchase!

Here at Vending.com, spring isn’t just about cleaning, it’s about saving! Ready to enter the vending world? Visit us today to learn more about how to obtain one of our esteemed vending machines for sale for your own establishment!

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Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

New Kiosks Convert Gift Cards to Cash

Chances are you have used a credit gift card to buy treats at your local snack machine, but you probably never used gift cards like this. According to The Columbus Dispatch, a new gift card exchange vending machine kiosk in grocery stores is giving out cash in exchange for unwanted gift cards with leftover value. Those that frequent the central Ohio Giant Eagle grocery store will find an all new machine titled Alula, which comes from the same people responsible for popular products such as Coinstar and Redbox. How does this all work? Exactly how it sounds. All you need to do is insert your unwanted gift card in the vending machine kiosk and you will immediately receive cash compensation that matches the value on the gift card. According to Alula’s marketing manager, this unique gift card to cash machine is an exciting way to draw people into their local grocery store when they normally wouldn’t. This innovative vending machine formula has worked with the aformentioned Redbox and Coinstar devices and people are often left with unused gift card value, so this new venture could very likely be a success. Supermarkets and snack vending machines have gone hand in hand since the gumball days, and it is exciting to see their relationship reach a level where anything from movies to cash can be procured from supermarket machines. What could be next?

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

NYC Denies Large Soda Ban

It has been widely publicized that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been trying to keep people from buying large amounts of soda for some time now. In an attempt to change overall consumption habits, Mayor Bloomberg wants to put a ban on large-sized sodas in restaurants, delis, movie theaters, drink vending machines, and a variety of other locales that typically sell soft drinks.

While Bloomberg sees the ban as a way to promote better overall health, Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling officially struck down the proposal on March 11th, according to Vending Times. Justice Tingling called the bad “arbitrary and capricious” because it only applied to a select few types of establishments. The potential impact of the ban was questionable, as soda lovers could always stock up on a few bottles at their local drink vending machine if they cannot buy a 2-liter drink at the corner store. According to the article, it seems many health groups back the city’s decision to prevent the ban.

How do you feel about the potential of a ban on drink sizes? Should the issue be addressed at a storefront and vending machine level, or should it be up to the general population to develop better health habits.

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Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Digital Vending is Here to Stay

Almost every aspect of our everyday lives have gone digital and the vending machine business is following suit. Since the industry’s inception, the world of vending has only been about seeing a product and buying it, though modern vending machines incorporate just about every human sense.

Vending Marketwatch recently highlighted the rapid evolution of vending products, from analog snack vending machines to modern smart-devices. While cashless credit card purchases once seemed like the cutting edge of vending innovation, digital vending machines now boast touch screens that function just like our phones and tablets. The entire world is glued to social media thanks to Twitter and Facebook, and various vending machines now pack some sort of social functionality, such as video chatting and tweeting-for-treats. Just like our computers do everyday, vending devices have evolved from simple food tools to avenues for connecting the entire world.

We are huge industry enthusiasts here at the Vending.com blog, and we truly cannot wait to see where our beloved business goes next. Of course, there is still a place for classic vending products, and our vending machines for sale allow you to get in on this exciting industry without breaking the bank.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Coke Trying to Connect World Via Vending Machines

The Coca-Cola company will forever be synonymous with the vending machine world, mostly because its beverages can be found in snack and drink vending machines all throughout the world. However, the folks behind Coke are getting ready to take vending machines to an all-new level, as their latest machines are intended to connect customers from all over.

According to Advertising Age, Coke is attempting to integrate vending machines into their Coca-Cola “happiness project,” an idea that they have been working with in various capacities. The company already has a machine you can hug in Singapore, as well as a Turkish machine that gives fresh colas to loving couples. Their latest project, first teased in December, is a high-tech machine that allows users to communicate via webcam to people in India and Pakistan, creating a friendly conversation between countries that have had less-than-friendly relationships.

Whether or not Coca-Cola’s new “happiness project” vending machine can truly change the world, their grand vending vision is certainly an admirable one. Customers could potentially make an unexpected best friend while purchasing their beverage of choice, which is something that cannot be said about everyday drink vending machines. So here’s to Coca-Cola, and the hope that the right technology can be used to make the world a better place.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

62-Foot Vending Machine to Headline South by Southwest

Vending machines and social media are becoming more and more in sync these days, but never have they reached the level of grand interactivity that South by Southwest attendees are going to witness next week. Thanks to the BoldStage, those enjoying the SXSW music festival will vote for music’s rising stars. And they will do so using a giant Doritos vending machine.

You read that right. According to Mashable, the event will feature a 62-foot stage in the shape of a giant vending snack machine that will host several up and coming musical acts. Users can tweet with the hashtag #BoldStage throughout the concert and have their pictures and tweets showcased on the massive screen, while also voting for the musicians they like best. With the main stage being updated with fan contributions in real-time, this could very well be the most interactive concert experience ever. For vending machine enthusiasts unable to make the event, Doritos will stream the BoldStage on Facebook.

The BoldStage is a great way to combine the worlds of vending machines, social media, and music to create one unique experience. Do you think we might ever live in a world where 62-foot vending machines are the norm? Snackers everywhere will simply have to wait and see.