State of The Food and Drink Vending Machine Market, 2015 – 2021

14957-illustration-of-a-globe-pvModern society has become accustomed to the idea of obtaining beverages, snacks, and many other types of items from vending machines. The machines are becoming a standard part of various businesses and industries, which range from pharmaceuticals to free items for the fans of sporting events. The stagnant age of the vending machine has come to a close, and a recent report by Persistence Market Research, as reported on by Medgadget, indicates an overwhelming trend of growth for the vending machine industry over the next six years.

What’s Driving the Growth?

Consumer demand remains the ultimate driving factor in the growth of the snack vending machine market. In recent years, the public has become increasingly concerned with the nutritional value of the contents of drink vending machines and snack vending machine. Traditionally, these vending machines have contained items of little nutritional value, but the trend seems to be changing. As more governments have become health conscious of snacks and beverages from vending machine, vending machine manufacturers and owners who readily display the caloric value of available items are expected to reap significant profits.

The growth of the vending machine market cannot be attributable to these factors alone. Instead, some of this growth may be the direct result of an increased use of mobile payment options, such as vending machines that accept credit cards. Ultimately, a vending machine with more payment options is able to serve those who may not have cash or coins on their person.

Where Will the Strongest Growth Occur?

Vending machines represent the classic idea of self service. In the coming years, the vending machine industry is expected to grow by 13.98 percent to reach an approximate worth of $31.75 billion. The US is predicted to be the predominant player in driving the growth of the vending machine market globally, while North America will claim approximately 44 percent of the market share of the vending machine industry.

What Types of Vending Machines Will Experience the Most Growth?

Vending machines can be categorized into generic groups, such as snacks, beverages, medical supplies, promotional materials, and more. Food and snack machines are expected to garner the highest market share in the industry. Behind snack vending machines, frozen food and candy vending machines will experience the highest level of growth in the US. However, the use of vending machines in quick-serving restaurants is expected to contribute the highest to the growth of the vending machine market globally. Although the growth will not be as substantial as snack vending machines, drink vending machines, such as those that dispense soda, beer, liquor, wine, and other cold beverages, are expected to show “substantial” growth by 2021.

The vending machine industry is growing, and vending machine manufacturers understand the need to increase snack and drink vending machine availability. To learn more about how vending machine services are changing today’s world, visit the blog on Vending.com, or contact a reputable vending machine manufacturer by filling out the online contact form today.

Vending 4 Pets: Ready to Do Some Dog-gone Good?

Attention: Pet-lovers everywhere! Vending.com is pleased to introduce you to our latest charitable vending endeavor. We all know there are thousands of homeless, abandoned, and undeniably adorable pets living in local shelters just looking for someone to love. As avid pet-lovers ourselves, we want to help bring relief to shelters that so desperately need our financial assistance to keep their doors open to needy animals.

Therefore, Vending 4 Pets was born! Vending 4 Pets invites your customers and employees to support a local shelter or rescue league through the purchases they make from your vending service. Every time a purchase is made through one of these vending machines for pets, patrons have the opportunity to make a donation to help our furry friends. You gain profits from your machine, the shelter animals gain support, and your patrons feel great about giving to a worthy cause!

Getting this program set up for your machine is simple, painless, and profitable…and comes at no cost to you. It can be applied to any machine.  How does it work? Here are some FAQ’s:

 

Q: Is this vending machines for pets program really free?

A: Yes! There is no cost to you whatsoever for the vending equipment or service. Your customers or employees simply make purchases from the vending machines as they wish.

 

Q: What products will be sold from your vending machines for pets?

A: It is your choice! You select every item! We want to sell what you want to enjoy.

 

Q: How much do the products cost from your vending machines?

A: Our products are market priced for your area. You will pay no more than similar vending machines in your community.

 

Q: Will you help to have my existing vending service removed?

A: Yes. We are vending experts and will coordinate all aspects for a smooth transition.

 

Q: How long will it take to get your vending machines installed in our business?

A: It will take about two weeks from the time you grant us permission until the vending machines arrive.

 

Vending 4 Pets is a vending service that takes care of all the vending machine details so you don’t have to. Let us show you how easy it is to raise money for animal shelters in your area. Get in touch with us to inquire about this vending machines for pets program, or visit this page to learn more.

 

Vending 4 Pets, A Wittern Group Company based in Des Moines Iowa provides high quality vending service in all 50 states to benefit animal shelter and rescue leagues in your area. There is no cost to the business or to the recipient of the donations. Our company has served the needs of the vending industry since 1931 with thousands of satisfied customers.

 

Adding Cashless Payments Increases Profits

Is it just me or do people carry less cash around than they used to? The only time I’ve been paid in cash was my allowance growing up. God bless my amazingly generous grandfather who still pays cash taking our family out to eat, but I normally see most people using other cashless forms of payment. If my friend owes me money or vice versa Venmo is likely where we’ll complete the transaction. Credit cards and mobile payments make it easy to spend money without having a wad of cash bulging from you pocket. Customers at vending machines that accept cashless payments are not limited by the amount of change or bills they have with them. They can spend more money and they can do it easier. Here are some facts that support the profitable trend toward cashless transaction systems for vending machines.

“American adults under 30 dislike using cash so much that 51% of them use credit or debit cards for purchases — even for transactions under $5 (the price point where vending lives),” said Christopher Blomquist, Parlevel’s marketing content manager in a Vending Times article.

In a study of 84,000 vending machines by USA Tech, 10,600 were low volume machines with less than $2,000 in pre-cashless sales per year. After accepting cashless payments the 10,600 machines reported an 86% growth in top line sales after 18 months. Machines adding cashless transaction systems increased average monthly sales from $104 to $193. According to USA Tech, vending consumers spend 37 percent more using cashless credit, debit, NFC contactless or mobile wallet payments than they do using cash. Annually. total sales in machines adding cashless payments goes from $1,248 to $2,316. A more recent Vending Times article notes a Parlevel Systems study that states cashless machines have an average transaction that is 40 cents more than machines that are cash only.

Cashless payment systems are very important to the profitability of a vending machine. Vending.com provides the Greenlite cashless payment system to help vending operators embrace the need for cashless payments. Efficient and easy to use, Greenlite will make sure you do not miss a cashless purchase. Greenlite also offers important tools for product management that makes it simple to track what’s gone in and out of your machine.

 

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

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

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgX8G7Ngr6E&feature=youtu.be

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

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

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

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

For more information on best practices to sanitize your vending equipment or other equipment questions, please contact Vending.com at 888-290-9356. 

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

The Right Coach for Your Vending Business

When you work with Vending.com, you are working with a trusted manufacturer with over 90 years of vending experience. Whether you are a seasoned vending professional or you are brand new to the industry, Vending.com can match you with a coach to provide you with vending machine business advice and help you meet your vending goals.

For vending business owners, Vending.com has the right vending machine models and financing programs to maximize your vending profits and reach your full potential. Our vending machine financing plans are catered to each business owner. No business is the same, so why should financing be the same? With a quick credit approval process and plans of up to 48 months, our flexible financing options are specialized to increase sales.

New to the vending business and are unsure of where to start? No problem! Once you have secured your vending location, Vending.com coaches will be happy to give you vending machine business advice and help educate you on the right model and machine for that location. If you are having problems finding the right location, we recommend starting with someone you know who has their own business, such as friends and family.

Whatever your vending goals may be, Vending.com is ready to work with you to reach them. In addition to our state-of-the-art machines and financing options, we offer factory-direct pricing and professional staff to coach you every step of the way with professional vending machine business advice. When you purchase a vending machine from us, you receive a factory warranty and a lifetime of technical support.

Whether you are new to vending or have been here for years, Vending.com can help you every step of the way. For additional questions, please call 1-800-548-1982.

Vending.com - blog - vending machine

Winning the right location for your vending machine (the sales approach, not selecting the location)

Factors influencing the success of a vending machine business

9 out of 10 vending business owners would agree that location is the most crucial factor in determining success. Important factors, such as selecting the right vending equipment and choosing the most profitable and saleable merchandise, depend on the location.

For example, in a location where a hip demography loosens their purse strings, having an intuitive interface and reliable operations results in more transactions. Whereas, in transit centers, salty snacks and bottled water are often the most profitable. The only factor that does not depend on location is your vending machine and the service partner – Vending.com.

So how do you put a vending machine somewhere profitable, somewhere good? This blog lets us dive deep into the location factor to see how a vending business owner can win suitable locations to maximize revenue and profits.

Finding a good location

There are several parameters to consider while selecting the right location for your vending machine. These include: 

Volume of traffic: The location you select must have high foot traffic. After all, vending is a numbers game. The higher the traffic, the higher the number of transactions.

Type of traffic: Vending is about convenience and the experience depending on the consumer. It is the simple magic of the mechanics for a young kid when you push currency into the machine to get what you want. It might simply be about waiting with a beverage at the Airport for the next flight for an adult. The kind of traffic will define what you sell and how it is priced. The visitors to your location shall define the suitable machine and the right merchandise.

Demographics: The demographic of your location is going to have an impact on profitability. For example, if your machine is at a gym, customers will more than likely be looking for bottled water and not for soda. A themepark, on the other hand, may require more chocolate bars or chips. Ignoring the demographics of your location can be detrimental to your business.

Competition: The presence of other vending machines is a good sign. While the location might need more effort to win, it is a proven location for a vending business. Remember, the vending machines do not compete for the consumer’s attention. They only compete for real estate. It is the products within the machine, the quality of the interaction, and the ease of the transaction that attract consumers. The right product mix is always attainable by studying the competition and by selecting complementary products. For optimizing the customer experience, the right technology and the right aesthetics go a long way. Picture this, a fully contactless vending machine with guaranteed vending technology accepting cashless payments, with attractive designs on them – with bestselling products. This is just an example of how Vending.com’s range of machines delivers the optimal customer experience.

 Building the proposition

A vending machine owner or operator is not just doing himself a favor by placing the machine at a location. There is definitely value for the location owner, too. Winning the location is dependent on articulating the value for all stakeholders, including the location owner.

The location owner might have different types of benefits. Some might give more weight to the rental income or the commissions they will get from your vending machines on their premises. This is the most common benefit, but not always the largest.

In other cases, businesses might be keen on improving customers’ convenience. Location owners may also want to use the vending machine as a channel to promote products aligned to their business. A good example would be protein shakes and protein bars in the vending machines at a gym. This increases revenue and reduces the need for additional sales bandwidth. Some might consider your machines a good branding opportunity by sticking their brand on your machines. Features like UVend Technology on vending machines and contactless transactions can enhance the sense of safety at some locations.

While the fee for placing the vending machine is a given, its size can depend on how well the other benefits are articulated to the location’s owner.

Our 90 years in the vending industry have given us experiences that can empower your vending business with the proper guidance and insights to be successful. To know more, talk to us at 1-855-929-1042 or visit this link to get help from professionals.

Cashless Vending – Transforming Retail Experiences

In today’s fast-paced business world, convenience is the name of the game. And when it comes to shopping, cashless payment trends in vending tech have revolutionized the way we buy things. It is no wonder consumers are flocking to this cutting-edge trend, which offers unparalleled ease and efficiency. 

Retailers need to keep up with the times if they want to compete in this ever-changing landscape. As technology propels us toward a seamless, digital future, retailers who fail to adapt risk falling behind. In this article, we take a closer look at the world of cashless payment trends in vending tech and the innovative solutions that keep up with modern shoppers’ demands, transforming the retail industry as we know it.

Vending Machine Evolution

Vending Machines have evolved into sophisticated, multi-purpose devices capable of selling a wide array of products, saving lives (you read that right), and helping us lead healthier lives. Such an achievement of engineering and innovation has been facilitated by significant advancements in technology, enabling the development of increasingly innovative and user-friendly vending solutions.


A critical aspect of this evolution has been the diversification of payment methods. In the beginning, vending machines relied solely on coins as a means of payment. However, as technology progressed and the world increasingly digitized, alternative payment options such as bills, credit cards, and even mobile wallets emerged.These cashless payment trends in vending tech and other new payment methods expanded the range of product offerings in vending machines and made it more convenient for consumers to make purchases on the go.

Today, cashless vending machines continue to evolve, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as Greenlite Cashless, an AI-powered cashless payment system for vending machines. The system uses machine learning algorithms to identify and process credit and debit card transactions, as well as to predict demand for products and improve the user experience. This makes Greenlite Cashless a more secure, efficient, and effective cashless payment system for vending operators.

As we witness the remarkable transformation of this once-simple retail solution, it’s crucial to examine the latest trends and innovations driving the cashless payment trends in vending tech and their revolutionary impact on the retail landscape.

How Will Businesses and Consumers Benefit? 

In today’s world, where cashless transactions have become the norm, one might think that the answer to ‘How will businesses and consumers benefit?’ is simple. However, due to continuous technological innovations, the answer to this question goes much deeper than expected. 

Cashless payment trends in vending tech is becoming an increasingly popular option for retailers looking to improve the customer experience. This type of payment offers numerous advantages for both businesses and consumers. One of the most significant benefits for businesses is the potential for increased sales and revenue. By accepting a wider range of payment methods, cashless vending machines make it more convenient for customers to make purchases, encouraging impulse buys and ensuring that customers always have a way to pay for their items. Furthermore, cashless vending machines often allow retailers to offer higher-priced items, expanding their product offerings and boosting their profit margins.

Vending machines that accept cashless payments are a game-changer in streamlining operations and saving precious time and resources. They eliminate the need for regular cash collection, counting, and depositing, freeing staff to focus on other essential tasks. This, in turn, reduces transportation costs and operational expenses that would otherwise be spent on hiring someone to complete these mundane tasks. Additionally, cashless vending machines are more secure and less susceptible to theft and vandalism, providing retailers with added assurance and peace of mind.

From a consumer standpoint, cashless payment trends in vending tech offer unparalleled convenience. With the ability to accept a wide array of payment methods, including credit cards, mobile wallets, and contactless payments, cashless vending machines cater to the diverse needs of today’s tech-savvy consumers. In an increasingly cashless society, this convenience is appreciated and often expected by customers, making it essential for retailers to stay ahead of the curve by embracing these cutting-edge vending solutions. Greenlite is designed to meet and exceed the expectations of the modern-day consumer with its user-free interface and multiple payment options. Customers can pay for items through the 365Pay app, Apple Pay/Google Pay, and a contactless card reader with the Greenlite Pico, providing customers with an easy, safe, and efficient purchasing experience. 

Greenlite – Creating a New Wave of Customer & Operator Experience

Greenlite Cashless is a solution that enables acceptance of card and mobile payments while providing cost-saving telemetry data management tools. It allows easy access to cashless and cash machine information, and operators can accept debit/credit cards and mobile payments. Its design increases sales and reduces costs for vending machine operators by offering different payment options. Additionally, remote monitoring, downloadable sales reports, and a suite of management tools help operators make informed business decisions for their machines. 

Greenlite is a technology revolutionizing retail and redefining customer and vending machine operator experience. Here’s how:

 

  • 24×7 Management: Greenlite Cashless has made vending machine management much more efficient. With the web-based management application, they can now have greater control and visibility. They can manage and keep track of their vending machines from home on any internet browser, including tablets, computers, and smartphones, 24/7. This helps operators quickly identify and resolve issues, ensuring the machines run smoothly. In addition, real-time monitoring also provides operators with enhanced security by immediately alerting operators of any detected or suspicious activity, which can help to reduce the risk of theft and break-ins.  
  • Track Your Sales: Greenlite facilitates sales data analysis based on a given period, such as daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. It makes it easy for operators to analyze vending machine sales using comprehensive details on sales history by records based on specific periods. Operators can utilize these reports to help make more informed decisions about product inventory, pricing, and restocking. With these reports, operators can ensure their machines are always stocked with in-demand products that can maximize their revenue. 
  • Integrated Cash & Cashless Reporting: Greenlite offers a single platform to track and manage cash and cashless vending. Reporting gives operators visibility and control over both cash and cashless payments. This helps operators make smarter business decisions to maximize revenue by leveraging their cashless management solution to streamline cash accountability and optimize reporting.
  • Secure Interface: All payment transactions of Greenlite Cashless meet the current payment card industry-standard compliance requirements. The system offers security features such as encryption and tokenization to protect customer information. No card data gets stored, and you can give your customers the confidence of a safe purchase. Greenlite Cashless provides operators and customers peace of mind with secure payment processing. 
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): The AI-powered features of Greenlite Cashless make it a secure, efficient, and effective cashless payment system for vending operators. The system uses machine learning algorithms to detect fraudulent transactions, which protects against fraud and theft. Additionally, it offers real-time data on sales, inventory, and machine performance, enabling vending operators to track business performance and make informed decisions about operations.
  • Visual Alerts: Every time operators log in, they receive real-time alerts and machine-level monitoring to track connectivity, sales, and performance, helping operators stay proactive with real-time machine health alerts. These alerts can help decrease a machine’s downtime and quickly solve issues to satisfy customers and prevent unnecessary sales loss.

 

The Future of Cashless Vending and Retail

As technology advances and the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the future of cashless payment trends in vending tech and retail looks incredibly promising. In the coming years, we can expect further advancements in cashless payment technology. As consumer expectations evolve, retailers must constantly adapt and innovate their vending strategies to stay ahead.

The continuous convergence of technology, consumer behavior, and industry innovation shapes the future of cashless payment trends in vending tech and retail. For operators who want to stay ahead, increase sales, and enhance customer experience, Greenlite Cashless is a valuable tool. If you want to stay ahead of the competition, Vending.com is the trusted choice. Vending.com has always been at the forefront of introducing new technology, including Greenlite Cashless, to vending equipment. To learn more, visit our website.

Do You Need Insurance to Start a Vending Machine Business?

Short answer? Yes—you really should have it.

Long answer? Let’s dive in.

Welcome to the Vending.com Blog!

Vending.comHello and welcome to the Vending.com Blog! Here at our blog, we will keep you updated on our latest products and promotions, and we will suggest some great ways to utilize our acclaimed vending machines.

For those unfamiliar with Vending.com, we are a one-stop solution for vending machines, vending maintenance, machine financing, parts, news, and more. We sell a wide range of machines to meet the needs of all types of businesses. Whether you manage a busy office and want to keep your employees functioning with a coffee vending machine, or want to offer a wide variety of drinks and snacks in your establishment’s waiting area, we have something for you. You can purchase a food vending machine if you want your customers to be even more satisfied or stock up a drink machine with energy beverages at your fitness location. We also sell used vending machines for potential owners looking to save a little money. The possibilities are endless, and at Vending.com we are here with you every step of the way, from purchase to protection.

Interested in our services? Check out our website and browse around for something you like. And be sure to subscribe to our blog and stay in the loop for the latest and greatest in vending!

Coke Trying to Connect World Via Vending Machines

Vending.comThe 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.

Colbert Report Vending Machine

For comedic news anchor, Stephen Colbert, conducting interviews is nothing new. During a recent show, things took an unfortunate twist when Stephen suddenly needed a snack and took a trip to the studio’s vending machine. While deciding on what to purchase, Stephen became angry and frustrated with the machine and started shaking it and rocking the machine back and forth. He was promptly trapped beneath the fallen vending machine and had to call for help; but only help from a celebrity.

Luckily for Colbert, Hollywood star Matt Damon was taking a stroll through the studio and attempted to help Colbert get out from under the vending machine. While he had Matt Damon around though, Colbert decided to take the opportunity to ask Matt about what he had been up to and his new upcoming movie.

The video is very entertaining and an excellent promotion for Matt Damon’s upcoming film. It is also a good reminder not to rock or climb on vending machines! There will not always be a famous celebrity around to help you out (or sit on the machine you are trapped under while you interview them.) Vending.com wants you to stay safe, enjoy a delicious snack or beverage from a vending machine and meet a celebrity under circumstances that don’t involve being trapped under anything heavy.

Mobile Apps to Help Your Vending Machine Business

Vending.com loves the following three apps for your vending machine business to help keep track of financials, inventory and more.. They each offer a different service that will be valuable to you in your day-to-day life:

Mint:
Mint.com, which was name one of TIME Magazine’s “Top 50 iPhone Apps” in 2011, is the perfect free mobile app for business owners on the go. Since your vending business keeps you out and about for hours each day, this app will help make your life a lot easier. The app allows you to set a financial budget for your vending machine business and enter transactions while on the go. You also can get real-time fund availability. In addition, in case you lose your phone, the app has a password to keep any unauthorized persons from viewing your financial information.

Evernote:
This handy app gives you the ability to instantly take notes on your mobile device no matter where you are. You can then easily access this information later. This app is ideal for making notes of vending machine inventory needs, writing yourself a daily to-do list or just jotting down your latest brainstorm for your business. Thanks to Evernote, you don’t have to worry about keeping a paper and pen handy at all times.

Dropbox:
This app is available on both mobile devices and tablets. It works by storing your business documents, photos, or videos to access on the go. Imagine being able to pull up all your vending machine business marketing materials on the app no matter where you are at the time. After all, potential clients are everywhere, so why shouldn’t your most impressive business information be as well.

Any of our recommended apps for vending machine businesses will help you take yours to the next level.

Happy Independence Day from Vending.com!

Wishing all our friends and followers a Happy and Healthy Fourth of July that is spent with family and friends.

Vending.com All American Vending Machine Manufacturer

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.

There’s No Stopping The Social Vending Revolution by Retailers

Social media reaches into the homes, smartphones, tablets, and thoughts of every person daily. However, people do not usually equate social media with vending machines, yet that is exactly what is happening. Vending machine manufacturers have seen the uptick in use of social media as a vending machine campaign to expand their current market. The social vending industry requires users to perform a given task on social media in the hopes of winning a prize. Finding a vending machine for sale doesn’t quite describe how the masses have responded to the use of social media vending machine campaigns.

All-Star Prizes and the Cincinnati Reds

With baseball season officially in full swing, the Cincinnati Reds want to show appreciation to their fans, and a social media vending machine campaign was an excellent option. Users would line up at the vending machine, and the machine would generate a unique Twitter hashtag for @AllStarGame. The vending machine provider would then randomly select All-Star Prizes for different people using the corresponding unique hashtag.

Fans won a variety of prizes, which included autographed baseballs by players in the Hall of Fame, former All-Stars, and current Reds players. In fact, at least one person won tickets to the iconic All-Star Game in July 2015.

red

New Balance’s Free T-Shirt Promotion

Another social media vending machine is spitting out free t-shirts as a promotional product for a coming New Balance store.  However, some people were skeptical as to if the machine even had any t-shirts at all. Upon reading the Instagram post of one concerned follower, New Balance Philly advised people to try to get to the machine early since it is refilled every morning.

In addition to a free shirt, the Philly New Balance vending machine campaign promises to send out a gift card, valued between $10 and $500, to anyone who happens to score one of the free shirts. The shirts boast white lettering among a red background, and #LoveNBPhilly sends out the message of hitting up the vending machine.

new-balance

More businesses are looking to increase their profits, and the vast inter-connectedness of social media offers an excellent outlet for combining vending machines and social media. By promoting events, products or services, a vending machine manufacturer can enhance an organization’s image without expensive marketing campaigns. Candy bars and sodas won’t be the only things in a vending machine for sale anymore; the selections will be amazing prizes, free gifts, and opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime events.

Our Trimline Refreshment Center Offers the Best Snack and Drink Vending Machine Options

Trimline-Refreshment-CenterThe technology in vending machines has grown exponentially. Vending machines are used for a variety of purposes, which range from healthcare applications to traditional snacks and soda refreshments. Some of the latest technology includes mobile payment options and Apple Pay. However, simplicity can be more productive, and the Trimline Refreshment Center is designed to focus on simplicity.

A Traditional Soda Vending Machine

Do you recall the stories of your grandparents first experiences with vending machines? In many cases, vending machines may have contained few items, but the popularity was undeniable. The Trimline Refreshment Center Returns to the simplistic nature with six beverage selections, and business owners can decide between bottled or canned beverages, such as water, sodas, juices, and more. When filled, the Trimline Refreshment Center can hold up to 144 20-ounce bottles or 312 12-ounce cans. However, the Trimline Refreshment Center takes on another critical concern of vending machine owners, space.

Essentially, the Trimline Refreshment Center is made up of two paired machines, and the drink side weighs 467 pounds. A traditional soda vending machine may be up to 4 feet wide. Yet, the drink side of the Trimline Refreshment Center stands out at a mere 21 inches, which makes it easy to fit anywhere. Furthermore, the lightweight section of this refreshment center makes installation faster and easier than bulkier machines.

Redefining the Snack Vending Machine

Some snack machines can hold hundreds of different various items, but you’ve probably seen a few vending machines where a few items grow stale and don’t sell. This combo vending machine focuses on resolving this problem by simplifying the snack selection to 12 items.

Business owners can select 12 items to fill this machine to its capacity of 152 items. The snack section of the Trimline Refreshment Center offers an MDB coin acceptor and an MDB $1 and $5 bill acceptor. Similar to the drink section, the snack part of this machine is a mere 21-inches wide, which increases the machine’s maneuverability during installation or when moving the machine from one location to another.

With a versatile configuration for drinks, independent sections for snack and soda storage, and a simple, customer-driven selection, the Trimline Refreshment Center is sure to please the hunger and thirst of your customers. To find out more about combo vending machine options, contact the vending machine manufacturer directly at Vending.com, or request a quote on the Trimline Refreshment Center today.

Gain Peace of Mind with Our Customer Assurance Program

Gain Peace of Mind with Our Customer Assurance Program

Purchasing a top-quality vending machine is only part one of your vending investment. Maintaining your machine to perfect working order is crucial to the ultimate profitability of the venture. As vending machine experts with an 85-year history of excellence, we fully understand the concerns of vending machine owners with all degrees of experience, from first-ever machine purchasers to skilled veterans: how can I ensure my machine stays in perfect working order?

Vending.com grants you peace of mind with our Customer Assurance Program. This program provides our customers with both an Extended Vending Machine Warranty on parts AND a Maintenance Program on our newer machine models. This program ensures your machine is covered and will run problem-free for many years to come.

Here are some additional features of this incredible, value-filled program:

COMPLIMENTARY LIFETIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

You heard us right: technical support for as long as your machine shall live. You receive toll-free access to our technical support staff via VendNet’s Phone Support staff for the life of the machine.

TWO YEAR PARTS WARRANTY:

The program allows for a grace period of two years, where defective parts will be repaired or replaced at no additional charge to you.

THREE YEAR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM:

The Customer Assurance Program also includes a “well-visit” for an overall checkup of the equipment, payment system, and hardware. Adjustments, if necessary, are made to ensure the smooth operation of the machine. The Preventative Maintenance Program begins after year one, and extends annual visits into years two through four.

We’d love to help you gain more peace of mind by joining our Customer Assurance Program. Please get in touch with us to learn more!

Where to Place a Vending Machine?

Location, Location, Location! You have likely heard about it in the real estate market but the phase also applies to the vending business. The location of your vending machines helps determine who is likely to use the machines and therefore what items you should sell in your machines. Determining where to put a vending machine is an important first step in a successful vending business.

It is helpful to think of a location that will benefit the most from your vending services. Where is a place where people gather often? It could be a place where people are forced to gather, like a large place of employment or a school. Maybe it’s a place people want to gather like a mall or entertainment center. Are there places around that have no food options easily available? Society never slows down and more and more people are eating on the go. Small businesses like auto shops, hair salons and laundromats are a few possible locations when it comes to the question of where to put a vending machine. Asking local businesses how your vending business can be of service to them is a good way to find out new locations for your machines. However, be aware that even though a location may be excited to have your vending machines, that place may not be profitable for you in the long run.

The location of your vending machines helps determine what items to provide to your customers.  If your vending machine is at a location where people will spend consecutive hours, larger items like frozen meals or sandwiches could benefit the people there. If the machine is at a fitness center, cold, healthy, thirst quenching beverages or high protein snacks may be in high demand.

No matter where you put a vending machine, quality customer service is the key. At Vending.com we believe that when we take care of the customer we take care of ourselves. We provide great financing options and reliable technical support. Our machines are manufactured in the USA with quality materials. Please contact us if there is any assistance your vending business needs. We hope you have a profitable 2019!

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

Best Practices for Cleaning and Disinfecting Vending Machines

Previously, we delved into why vending is the ultimate solution in the convenience services industry in Part I and finding the right product to keep your vending machines disinfected and safe for your customers to use in Part II. Part III of our four part series will provide best practices to properly clean your machine, without causing damage to the equipment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgX8G7Ngr6E&feature=youtu.be

While Vending.com recommends soapy water for cleaning and disinfecting vending equipment, the choice is up to you.  Regardless of what type of cleaner you choose, here are some Best Practices for Cleaning Vending Equipment.

  • Recommended supplies:
    • Disposable non-linting cloths (‘contact’, ‘non-contact’ & ‘external’)
    • Clean disposable gloves
    • Plastic scraper
    • Spray bottle w/ cleaning solution
    • Glass cleaner or similar for cleaning the window
  • Ensure the machine is Switched OFF before completing any cleaning tasks.
  • Do not apply or spray the soapy water solution directly onto surfaces that could or might leak directly onto electrical components such as the keypad or touch screen.  Where this is a possibility the soapy water should be applied to a ‘clean’ cloth which then should be used to wipe the surface to be sanitized.

Why do I need three separate cleaning cloths?  The ‘contact’ cloth should be used on areas of the machine that come into contact with areas of consumer interaction.  The ‘non-contact’ cloth should be used on internal areas of the machine. The ‘external’ cloth should be used on all external surfaces with the exception of areas of the machine that are exposed to consumer interactions.

Some Do’s and Don’ts:

  • Do not use metal scrapers
  • Do not put any of the machine’s internal parts on the floor
  • Do not take water for cleaning from a toilet area
  • Always wear protective gloves
  • Always use the correct cleaning agent for the application and follow the manufacturer’s instructions

In many grocery and retail stores, it is commonplace to see self-serve sanitizing wipes for customers to use.  To help ensure your equipment stays clean and provide peace of mind to consumers, if possible, provide sanitizing wipes at or near your equipment. 

As with all individuals working in convenience services in a food-handling role, an operator who is suffering any form of illness should inform their supervisor and not perform any work sanitizing the vending equipment. 

Safe sanitation is crucial now more than ever for your vending equipment. For more information on best practices to sanitize your vending equipment or other equipment questions, please contact Vending.com at 800-548-1982.

With consumers using cashless often due to sanitary concerns, Part IV focuses on why cashless payment options are more important than ever. Check back soon to view Part IV.