Malt Liquor found in Pepsi Vending Machine

Drink Vending MachineWell 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.

Easy Mobile Upgrade for Vending Machines

Incorporating mobile technology into vending machines is a popular trend that is creating tons of new possibilities for payments, technical service and customer interaction. A company called LikeUS Network is coming out with a new technology that gives vending machine patrons more options for mobile payments.

This new “plug-and-play” technology is one of the easiest vending machine upgrades available. This solution allows vending machine operators to plug a device into their existing vending machines and immediately be able to use the technology without the need to change any settings. This new mobile technology is a great addition to allow vending machines for sale currently from companies such as Vending.com to accept payments from PayPayl and Google wallet.

There is also a mobile payment option that allows patrons to interact with the machine via social networks such as Facebook and receive free beverages or snacks in exchange for a Like, Retweet or share. This is an interesting new way to promote your vending machines because a branded message is shared on that customer’s social network that tells all of their friends about your vending machine.

This easy vending machine upgrade is also a great way to gain demographic information on your customers that is typically unavailable to machines that accept cash or credit and debit cards.

Healthy, Local Snacks in Taste NY Vending Machine Program

laguardiaGovernor Andrew Cuomo of New York recently unveiled an exciting new type of snack vending machine that highlights healthy choices, supports local agriculture, and benefits the Food Bank of Central New York and the New York Commission for the Blind’s Enterprise Program. The Taste NY snack and drink vending machines debuted at the recent New York State Fair.

These exciting new vending machines break away from standard offerings to provide healthy vending machine choices from local New York producers. The vending machines are to be installed at select rest areas throughout the state of New York. Travelers will make their snack and drink choices among offerings from Chobani, Emmy’s Organics, Heluva Good Cheese curds and string cheese, Red Jacket Orchard juices, Barkeater Chocolates, Sweet Sam’s Cookies, and other local purveyors.

Governor Cuomo is hoping that in addition to promoting healthy New York vending machine snacking habits, the Taste NY program will support and broaden the audience from some of the state’s finest food producers. According to the Governor, “The Taste NY Program is continuing to raise the profile of many of our world-class brands, and I encourage all New Yorkers – whether at the State Fair this week or on a drive across the state this fall – to be on the lookout for these tremendous products.”

These vending machines will offer more than unique snacks to weary travelers. According to John Murn, Vice President of the New York State Vending Machine Association, “These state-of-the-art machines will feature a rotating selection of food and beverages that represent the diversity and creativity from producers across the State. Highlights from these machines will include video clips from New York-based companies as well as Taste NY videos.”

In addition to healthy fare, the Taste NY snack and drink vending machine program will benefit two-state charitable programs. The machines will be maintained by participants in the New York Commission for the Blind’s Enterprise Program. New York State Commission for the Blind Associate Commissioner Brian Daniels said, “The Commission for the Blind makes self-sufficiency for legally blind New Yorkers its top priority, and we are thrilled to… provide new jobs and provide more opportunities for individuals who are blind to achieve independence.”

Proceeds from the healthy vending machines will be used to support the efforts of the Food Bank of Central New York which provides food for over 11 million meals each year to the state’s residents.

The Taste NY snack vending machines will highlight a rotation of products from the larger Taste NY program. More information on the initiative is available at taste.ny.gov.

Source

https://www.vendingmarketwatch.com/management/news/11669212/governor-cuomo-announces-taste-ny-vending-machines-to-premiere-at-the-2014-great-new-york-state-fairhttp://www.vendingmarketwatch.com/news/11669212/governor-cuomo-announces-taste-ny-vending-machines-to-premiere-at-the-2014-great-new-york-state-fair

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

Why Vending Machines Should Be Allowed in Schools

Empowering Student Success Through Better Nutrition and Financial Support 

Key Takeaways: 

  • Vending machines provide students and staff with convenient access to snacks and beverages during long school days when the cafeteria may be closed. 
  • Healthy vending options now align with modern nutrition standards, offering better snack choices that support student wellness and focus. 
  • School vending machines can generate consistent monthly revenue that helps fund extracurricular activities, field trips, and classroom resources. 
  • Modern vending technology, including cashless payments and inventory tracking, improves the convenience and efficiency of on-campus food access. 
  • Flexible machines from Vending.com allow schools to choose the products that best fit their community’s needs while maximizing profits. 

The debate over whether vending machines belong in schools has shifted significantly in recent years. While they were once synonymous with sugary sodas and processed snacks, the modern vending landscape offers a much more health-conscious and beneficial experience. Today, schools across the country are discovering that when managed correctly, on-campus vending is a powerful tool for supporting student wellness and funding essential programs. 

Allowing vending machines in schools provides a practical solution for busy students and staff while creating a reliable, year-round revenue stream. By moving toward healthy vending machines, schools can align with modern nutritional standards while ensuring the campus remains a self-sufficient and supportive environment for everyone. 

Key Benefits of Vending Machines in Schools 

Vending machines serve as a versatile asset that impacts the daily flow of school life in several positive ways. Beyond simply providing a snack, these machines address the physical and logistical needs of a modern student body. 

  • Supporting Students with Extended Days: The average school day often stretches far beyond the final bell. Students involved in athletics, theater, or clubs can spend 10 to 12 hours on campus. Vending machines fill the nutritional gap when the cafeteria is closed, providing the energy needed to stay focused during late-afternoon practices or study sessions. 
  • Improving Focus and Academic Performance: Hunger is a major distraction in the classroom. When students have quick access to a healthy snack between periods, they are better equipped to maintain their concentration. Providing nourishment exactly when it is needed helps prevent the mid-afternoon energy crash that often leads to decreased productivity. 
  • Boosting Staff Morale: Teachers and administrators often have very limited break times. Having an on-campus option for a quick coffee or a light meal saves them a trip off-campus, allowing them to maximize their planning time and stay energized throughout a demanding day. 
  • Reducing Cafeteria Congestion: Even the most efficient school lunchrooms can face long lines and overcrowding. Strategically placed machines in hallways or student lounges can alleviate pressure on the main cafeteria, offering a fast alternative for students who may have forgotten a lunch or simply need a small supplement to their meal. 

 

Vending Machines Are a Financial Lifeline for School Programs 

One of the most compelling reasons why vending machines should be allowed in schools is the direct financial benefit. With many school districts facing tight budgets, finding alternative ways to raise money is essential for maintaining a high-quality educational experience. 

Vending machines act as a mini-fundraiser that operates every day of the year. Depending on the size of the student body and the traffic at the location, a single machine can generate hundreds of dollars in profit each month. This income can be used at the school’s discretion to fund projects that current budgets may not cover, such as: 

  • Extracurricular Activities: Revenue from sales can help lower the cost of sports equipment, uniforms, or fees for music and art programs, making these activities more accessible to all students. 
  • Field Trips and Special Projects: Schools can use vending profits to subsidize the cost of educational trips or to purchase new technology and classroom supplies that enhance the learning environment. 
  • Student Initiatives: Some schools allow student councils to manage the revenue, giving them a hands-on lesson in budgeting and business management while they decide which school improvements to fund. 

By utilizing a vending machine from Vending.com, schools gain the ultimate flexibility. Unlike brand-specific machines that limit you to one company’s products, our machines allow you to stock whatever items best serve your specific community, ensuring higher sales and better profit margins. 

 

Can School Vending Machines Be Healthy? 

A common concern in the past was that vending machines contributed to poor eating habits. However, the introduction of the USDA’s Smart Snacks standards has transformed what is available on campus. Modern healthy vending machines focus on improved nutrition without sacrificing the convenience students love. 

Promoting Better Choices 

When schools offer a variety of nutritious snacks like whole-grain granola bars, baked chips, trail mix, and 100% fruit juices, they provide students with the opportunity to make better decisions for themselves. This helps reinforce the lessons learned in health class by putting healthy options within easy reach. 

Meeting Nutritional Guidelines 

Today’s machines are designed to meet strict standards for calories, sodium, and fat content. By partnering with a reliable supplier, schools can ensure that every product in the machine aligns with their wellness policies. These healthier versions of favorite snacks provide the necessary vitamins and proteins that students might miss out on during their busy day. 

 

Technology and the Modern Student Experience 

Modern students are early adopters of technology, and they expect their environment to reflect that. Upgrading to the latest vending hardware is a great way to meet these expectations. 

  • Cashless Convenience: Most teenagers today rarely carry cash. Machines equipped with cashless payment systems allow students to use mobile wallets or credit cards, making transactions faster and more secure. 
  • Interactive Interfaces: Touchscreen displays can provide detailed nutritional information for every product before a purchase is made. This transparency is more important than ever for students with allergies or specific dietary preferences. 
  • Remote Monitoring: With tools like Greenlite, schools or operators can track inventory levels in real-time. This ensures that the most popular healthy snacks are always in stock and that the machine is functioning perfectly, maximizing potential revenue. 

Vending Machines Are a Win-Win for the School Community 

Ultimately, the decision to allow vending machines in schools is about creating a more supportive, inclusive, and productive environment. When schools provide convenient access to healthy food, they are investing in student well-being and creating a sustainable source of income that benefits the entire campus. 

Whether you are looking to support your athletic department or simply want to provide better options for your staff, Vending.com is here to help. We provide the equipment, financing, and expert advice needed to build a successful school vending program that pays off for years to come. 

Ready to enhance your school’s revenue? Contact us or call 1-855-965-0931 to learn about our specialized school vending solutions today! 

62-Foot Vending Machine to Headline South by Southwest

Vending.comVending 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.

Luxury Gift Vending Machine

A vending machine in Berlin is offering a range of items that you might not find in your traditional vending machines. The vending machine was launched by German delicatessen Floris Feinkost and features gourmet selections including luxury items such as prepared food and gift packages.

This luxury vending machine has gifts that anyone would want to receive including pint-sized bottles of champagne, pastries, pralines, flavored salts, chocolates and even bottles of wines. These are just a few of the more than 60 products customers can browse through.

The unit has ten levels of display cases that showcase the wares. Vending.com has seen vending operators benefit from improved displays of vending products through updated machines, captivating graphics on the machine, and well-lit and organized product displays. In this particular luxury vending machine, the gift cases look like miniature storefront displays, with products perfectly packaged and displayed.

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.

Metro Adds Bus-Ticket Vending Machine in Seattle

orca_tap1King County Metro Transit is taking a bold step into the 21st century – at least as far as passengers are concerned. To help ease some of the stress on existing infrastructure, KCMT is putting a bus ticket dispensing vending machine on Third Avenue located conveniently between Stewart and Pine street in Seattle, WA. The hope is that instead of pushing money into the farebox as traditionally accomplished, users will instead use the vending machine to accomplish the same thing.

By pairing with a vending machine manufacturer for this transit vending machine, King County Metro Transit hopes to accomplish a few different goals at the same time. For starters, it adds a supplementary source of bus tickets that will hopefully relieve some stress during already crowded transit times. Additionally, the farebox has long been seen as a major source of delays for travelers in a number of different situations. Fumbling to cram cash into the front slot of the farebox can add several seconds to the D Line or E Line, for example. When you multiply “several seconds” by the thousands of passengers that pass through those areas on a regular basis, serious delays can occur as a result.

Metro indicates that there are currently around one tenth of the total number of passengers that go through the stop that pay with cash. To put that into perspective, more than 42,000 passengers use that stop to take 2,500 bus trips each weekday. Even if the transit ticket vending machine is only accommodating one tenth of those customers, you’re still talking about 4,200 people every day.

A concern about the practice, however, has to do with whether or not the vending machine will undercut the sale of regional ORCA cards. These fare cards are designed to be purchased in advance and used in much the same way E-ZPass is for drivers. You pay in advance to “fill” the card, swipe the card when you arrive and go about your way. If the vending machine manufacturer’s solution is just as easy, it may harm that particular program.

The Metro program puts a twist on the traditional “vending machine for sale” process. Instead of purchasing the machines outright, the machine is being loaned for use completely free of charge. Additionally, the county will pay a $10,000 regular fee to cover maintenance and general operational costs directly to the vending machine manufacturer. Much of that cost will be taken care of by a federal grant, however.

Vending machines certainly aren’t just for potato chips anymore. With examples like recycling vending machines, super market vending machines, and the way that metro is putting bus ticket vending machines to excellent use on Third Avenue, it’s easy to see why more and more industries are embracing the technology on a large scale.

Steps to Start Your Own Vending Business - vending.com

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.

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.

Google Play Vending Machine

Another unique vending machine has launched in Tokyo recently. There is definitely no shortage of odd and creative vending machines in Japan, but this one has a very large brand name attached to it. This new machine was launched by Google and does not vend physical products, but it is a brick and mortar interface for Google’s Play market.

This creative vending machine requires that you have a smartphone that is running Android 4.0 and has NFC technology. So not all smartphone users will be able to interface with the machine, but most new Android devices should have no problem. The machine features a large screen that uses the same interface that Android users would regularly see when they visit Google Play on their desktop or mobile devices. Customers can then browse the selections on the screen while they are assisted by two attendants that will be stationed at every Google vending machine.

The purchases on the machine can be paid for with your mobile device and will be downloaded after payment is received. Vending.com has discussed NFC technology and mobile payments for vending machines before, and seeing how Google uses their own technology could lead to some interesting innovations!

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.

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.com - The Best Locations for Vending Machines

Where to Put Vending Machines: Best Places & Locations

Discover the most profitable spots and expert strategies for securing prime vending machine real estate to maximize your business growth. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • A vending machine’s success depends primarily on strategic placement in high-traffic, high-intent areas where people have immediate needs and limited alternatives. 
  • The most profitable locations typically serve captive audiences where people spend time and cannot easily leave for food. 
  • Operators should evaluate not just foot traffic volume but dwell time, audience demographics, competition quality, and product-market fit before securing a location. 
  • Matching product selection and machine type to the specific environment (e.g., protein drinks in gyms, premium snacks in offices) significantly increases sales and customer satisfaction. 
  • Long-term vending success requires professional pitching to property owners, formal agreements, modern payment technology, consistent servicing, and ongoing sales data optimization. 

Location is the single most important factor in the success of any vending operation. Even the most advanced machine stocked with premium products will fail to generate revenue if it is tucked away in a low-traffic corner. A strategic placement ensures that your inventory moves quickly, your machines remain secure, and your profit margins stay healthy. 

To thrive in the modern market, operators must look beyond simple foot traffic and consider the psychology of the consumer. Successful vending is about being in the right place at the exact moment a person realizes they are hungry, thirsty, or in need of a quick energy boost. Identifying these “high-intent” zones requires a combination of demographic research, physical scouting, and competitive analysis. 

This guide will help you better understand how to choose the best places and locations for your vending machines, from analyzing captive audiences to pitching property owners and selecting the right equipment for every environment. 

Healthy Vending: A Trend to Be Happy About

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.

Digital Vending is Here to Stay

Vending.comAlmost 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.

Break Room Vending Machines

When you have worked in an office for any amount of time that has a break room, it is easy to notice how odd and often gross, they can be. The reason for these oddities is often food brought in by coworkers.

Storing perishable food can often become a challenge as expiration dates become lost in the well-lit abyss that is the back of the communal refrigerator. Once good ideas for lunch may sit, left and forgotten, on tables or in communal microwaves for days on end and pots of coffee made with the best intentions can become caffeinated science projects gone wrong.

An easy way to avoid these break room horrors is with vending machines! Vending.com has a wide variety of vending machines specifically for office break rooms that include, food, snack, drink, coffee, water and more. Break room vending machines are not just for grabbing a candy bar or can of soda anymore; many of our machines can vend enough fresh food to keep employees happy and well-fed every day.

Depending on how your office decides to operate the vending machines at work, profits from them can be donated to charity, reinvested back into the office or a variety of other options that will help out more than your break room’s hygiene!

Top 10 Must-Have Snacks for Your Vending Machine

Top 10 Must-Have Snacks for Your Vending Machine

Americans sure like snack foods! Snack vending machines are wildly popular throughout the 50 states because the convenience of delicious snack foods at great prices is an unbeatable combination. When you purchase a vending machine, you should do some research into what top selling vending machine items to stock in your machine. How do you conduct this research?

Take a look at those who populate the area you’d like to install the machine. If you’re a medical facility, perhaps people are looking for healthier options, and/or sugar-rush inducing options. Ask your employees/patrons what they’d like to see. IIf you’re still unsure about what to stock in the machine, take a look at our Top 10 Must-Have Vending Machine Snacks for some inspiration:

10: Crackers (cheese, peanut butter, etc. )

9: Bars (nut bars, granola bars, nutrition bars etc. )

8: Cookies (sugar cookies, chocolate chip, Oreos™, etc. )

7: Nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds, etc.)

6: Breath mints (gum, sucking candies, etc.)

5: Chips (wavy, barbeque, Pringles™, etc.)

4: Gum (fruity, cinnamon, long-lasting, etc.)

3: Chocolate (Hershey™, Mars™, etc.)

2: Pretzels (salted, mini, etc.)

1: Candy – from Mike and Ikes™ to Starbursts™, and anything in between, candy is always a must-have in every machine.

If you have any questions about stocking your snack and/or food vending machine, get in touch with one of our representatives! We’d love to help make this process as smooth as possible. Still looking for the perfect snack machine? We’ve got you covered. Visit the Vending.com site and browse our amazing vending machines for sale.

 

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

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!