Vending machines have become increasingly common in offices, community organizations and schools, and can be a great way to bring in money while providing patrons and employees with convenient access to snacks and drinks. Vending machine distributors have many options for vending machine designs, including machines that dispense both food and drinks.

Supplies for distributors of food and beverage vending machines include bill change machines, as well as bulk foods and beverages to stock machines. Vending machine stocking can be handled by machine distributors, suppliers or owners, depending on the arrangements made by those in charge of the location housing the vending machine.

When purchasing supplies for distributors of food and beverage vending machines, consider the following:

1. Get the vending machine styles that fit your needs;

2. Get healthy snacks for added convenience and broader appeal;

3. Get bulk food products from a vending machine supplier.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Browse vending machine suppliers' wide selection of vending machine styles and designs

Vending machine manufacturers now produce a wide range of drink and food vending machines. Vending machine distributors may choose to carry machines stocked with food only, drinks only or a combination of food and cold drinks; or they may opt for models that include hot beverage dispensers, coolers for frozen food, or a combination of both. Of course, distributors of food and beverage vending machines that carry the widest selection can reach the broadest customer base.

I recommend: Avanti vending machines come in a range of styles and designs for both food and beverages. 4MEGA-Vending.com offers a number of food and drink combo machines for stocking both in a single machine.

Provide your customers with healthy food and beverage vending machines

Consider supplying more nutritious snacks for vending machines in schools, retirement homes, hospitals or any business that wants to promote healthy lifestyles. Many businesses are now interested in stocking healthy snacks in all machines, or at least in designating one vending machine for healthy snacks and drinks. Due to increasing demand, there are now many suppliers of healthy vending machine snack choices to choose from.

I recommend: Consult Fitness Magazine's list of the top 10 healthy snacks for vending machines, which includes baked potato chips, pretzels and granola bars. Once you're familiar with healthy snack choices, get healthy food and beverage vending machine supplies from companies like Bare Fruit and YoNaturals.

Get wholesale and bulk food and drinks for vending machines

If you need to stock food or drink vending machines, consider buying food and beverage products in bulk from a vending machine wholesaler of food products. Many vending machines are made specifically for branded products, while others may be stocked with any food or drink products in a range of sizes. If you have a snack or drink in mind you'd like to distribute with vending machines, investigate the manufacturer's online options for bulk purchase and delivery.

I recommend: Some food or drink distributors to keep in mind when stocking vending machines include Vending on Demand.com (for bulk candy), Nestle (for bottled water), and Lance (for classic crackers and nuts). Most food and beverage manufactures offer order and delivery information online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Vending machine supplies also include change machines for more convenient use of coin-based vending machines. Change machines may be front-loading or back-loading and can be customized in a number of ways to accommodate the acceptance and distribution of different currencies.

Food and beverage vending machines are not just for offices any more. It seems no matter where you go, you are bound to run into a food vending machine or a beverage vending machine. It is no wonder so many people are taking advantage of this opportunity to start their own lucrative business.

Vending machine suppliers are able to work out of their homes, set their own hours and not have the overhead associated with a traditional store or office. Learn how to be your own boss with this exciting venture. Just remember these tips as you move forward:

1. Find a vending machine distributor with a unique product line.

2. Vending machines no longer mean a choice between just Coke and Pepsi.

3. Find locations that don't already have many vending machines to increase sales.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Become a vending machine supplier that offers a variety of products

By providing more choices, you are able to reach more clients. Additionally, if you have more than one type of vending machine at a location, you can refill and maintain multiple machines on one stop. This means more income with fewer miles on your vehicle.

I recommend: SuperPro Vending Group gives you the opportunity to sell gum or breath mints. Multivend, LLC offers opportunities with candy vending machines. Get a free information kit from Energy Vending Business to learn more about their buzz bites chocolate energy chews.

Find a reputable vending machine wholesaler for your vending machine supplies

Shop around for a vending machine wholesaler who can meet all your supply needs from machines to products and help with location scouting. The fewer companies you have to deal with, the less hassles you will have down the road.

I recommend: Candymachines.com can get you set up to start your business and can continue to supply the products to keep your vending machines full. The initial start-up fee also includes a free consultation with their locator service. Request a catalog of products and services offered by Eagle Vend Supply East.

Take over the routes of successful vending suppliers for an easy transition

If the thought of finding a location seems daunting, you can take over a route with a proven success record and watch the money roll in. There are people looking to make a career change, retire or relocate who are willing to sell the route they have built. The risk is lower if you know a route has a lucrative history.

I recommend: Find a route in your area on VendingConnection.com. Check out the business routes for sale on BusinessMart.com. You can also sign up for their free buyer membership and let them help you find the right opportunity in your area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find local vending machine distributors in your area to save on shipping costs.
• •  Stick with smaller machines if the idea of physically moving large food and beverage vending machines seems overwhelming.

Working with distributors of food and beverage vending machines can help you choose the right machines for both food and drink vending. Several types of vending machines are available for food and for beverages, while some machines even allow users to stock both food and drinks. Whether you want to dispense candy, healthy snacks or hot beverages, working with the right vending machine distributor can put money in your pocket.

Other decisions you will need to consider with food and beverage vending machines include whether to buy new or refurbished, and where to get parts and supplies needed for basic machine maintenance and repair. While most vending machines follow the same type of structure, many vending machine design nuances allow you to give your customers exactly the type of vending experience they want.

Investigate the following information to learn more about working with distributors of food and beverage vending machines:

1. Choose from different types of vending machines available for food and snacks;

2. Troubleshoot common complaints about food and drink machines;

3. Know your distributor's role in repairing old machines.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Browse the range of snack machine designs available through a vending machine supplier

Food vending machine distributors can choose from a number of snack machine designs to offer their clients. The main types of food vending machines include basic four- or five-row snack machines and food machines that are chilled for frozen foods, although small candy and nut vending machines are also popular. A vending machine supplier may also offer combination machines that hold both food and drinks, as well as machines that can operate at a range of temperatures.

I recommend: Check out the vending machine and vending machine distributor comparison charts offered by Gumball Machine Warehouse, or Greater America Distributing. These useful tools can help you determine which vending machines are most appropriate for your business. You can also request a similar chart or related information from any distributor with whom you may do business; reputable vending machine distributors will work with you to fulfill your needs.

Consult with a distributor to get the most convenient vending machines offered

Many newer designs of vending machines offer solutions to common problems related to the sizing or mechanics of vending machines. Vending machines may also stock an array of healthy choices for vending. Consider your customers when discussing with a distributor the vending experience you want to provide.

I recommend: When consulting with a distributor, consider problems and solutions like those suggested by 1.800.Vending, including the type of currency accepted, the mechanics of the machine and the range of products sold. Read the tips for vending machine business owners offered by VendingSecrets.com for help deciding on the best locations for distributors to place your vending machines, according to your and your customers' needs.

Establish a clear agreement with a distributor about servicing vending machines

Vending machine suppliers should have a clear policy for repair and service of their vending machines. Especially if your machine is refurbished or used, be sure you have a contract or agreement with your vending machine distributor that outlines your responsibilities and your distributor's responsibilities for maintenance and repair as well as restocking.

I recommend: Check Vending.com and Vendline for sample vending service agreements for use with vending machine distributors. If your business is located within a larger institution or organization, you may also have an established vending office that handles distribution, stocking and service, as is the case at UCLA.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As a vending machine distributor, you may choose to buy machines from a vending machine wholesaler or manufacturer, or to buy or rent machines from a specific food or beverage branded manufacturer. If you don't want to purchase a number of machines, consider going with branded machines that you can use at low cost or no cost, provided they are stocked with brand products.