The Basics of the Vending Machine Business

If you have interest in trying a new opportunity, venture into the vending machine business. Vending machines are everywhere these days. You'll find them places like shopping malls, hospitals, schools, supermarkets, sidewalks, offices and anywhere else large amounts of people visit on a regular basis. These machines offer a win-win situation for everyone. You make money, the owner of the location you're using makes money, and the person buying an item from the vending machine gets something they want, whether it's a drink, food item, or even a novelty item.

Like every business worth pursuing, owning vending machines does involve hard work. One of the first things you'll need to do is decide what kind of machine you want. You'll find soft drink machines, candy machines, gumball machines, novelty item machines, and even machines that dispense healthy food choices like hot soup, apples and deli sandwiches. Some people decide what kind of machine they want before choosing the location for it, others choose a location then a machine. If you have an idea of where your machine is going to go, you can choose a machine that dispenses items that best fit the needs of the people who frequent the area. For example, you wouldn't put a toy machine in a university, but you might put one near a toy store or in the lobby of a supermarket. One type of machine that is universal in its appeal is the soft drink machine.

Some drink dispensing machines offer customers lots of attractive options. You might get a machine that offers soft drinks, juices and bottled water all in one. This ensures that everyone will be able to purchase a beverage they like from your machine. Another good choice is a snack machine. After all, everyone needs to eat! Most snack machines dispense an assortment of foodstuffs like chips, pretzels, crackers and candy.

Once you've chosen a vending machine and scouted a location, it's time to set up and maintain your machine. Usually, you will pay the owner of the location where your machine is either a percentage of your profits or a monthly flat-fee rent. Another expense is the cost of stocking your machine. It's important to make sure your machine stays well-stocked. Depending on how much business your machine gets, you may find yourself replenishing it and collecting money every few days, every week, or every few weeks. While this type of business isn't as easy as many people think, it can be a profitable venture for some. Pairing with a legitimate and experienced vending company can go a long way towards your future success in the industry, so do your research and choose wisely.

Copyright 2007 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

Trends in 2007: Vending Machines


Vending Machines News:
New coins won't work in parking meters and
The new coins will be slightly thicker, and customers will be left fumbling through their change to find a coin that will be accepted, since some..

Talking vending machine is filled with attitude - NEWS.com.au

Talking vending machine is filled with attitude
NEWS.com.au
As part of its LiVe public service program, Intermountain Healthcare has installed a fake, talking vending machine in an Elementary school in America. The machine is filled with faux snacks and doesn't take money, but when students press its buttons .
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Vending business grows from 1 to 280 machines in first year
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Cigarette vending ban in March
Cigarettes will no longer be sold in vending machines in Northern Ireland from 1 March 2012...


Do Vending Machines Affect Student Obesity? - Slate Magazine (blog)

Slate Magazine (blog)

Do Vending Machines Affect Student Obesity?
Slate Magazine (blog)
And it must taste odd to the many doctors and scientists who see vending machines as accessories in the childhood obesity epidemic. The study followed 19450 fifth graders of both sexes for four years. At the beginning, 59 percent of the students went .

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Fake vending machine dispenses advice at schools - Salt Lake Tribune

KSL-TV

Fake vending machine dispenses advice at schools
Salt Lake Tribune
As part of its LiVe public service program, Intermountain Healthcare has installed a fake, talking vending machine at Rose Park Elementary School in Salt Lake City. The machine is filled with faux snacks and doesn't take money.
Vending machine serves health tips to Utah kidsNECN
Fake vending machine helps tackle obesityABC 4
Vending machine dispenses advice, not foodKSL-TV
VendingMarketWatch
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Swap-O-Matic EUR a Vending Machine that Promotes Sustainability - Triple Pundit

Triple Pundit

Swap-O-Matic EUR a Vending Machine that Promotes Sustainability
Triple Pundit
By Raz Godelnik | January 27th, 2012 0 Comments If you thought that vending machines that dispense nothing but baby carrots are the latest green innovation in this field, we've got news for you. There's a vending machine that is far more progressive .

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Wayne Co. to reduce junk food in vending machines
Officials in Wayne County are saying no to junk food in vending machines...



Over the past year, Jerry Schreiner of Moline has seen his small idea turn into an active and growing business. The growth has been so pronounced that Schreiner has moved his business, Vander..


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