Making the most of snack vending machines involves much more that just stocking a machine with candy and hoping that people are hungry enough to purchase the snacks. Vending machines can be extremely profitable when you place them in the right places. Another way to increase profitability is to offer a variety of foods beyond typical candy bars and chips. Include healthy low-fat and reduced-calorie snacks, as well as looking into snack vending machines that sell fresh produce.

A great way to make a start in the vending machine business is to start with small, inexpensive machines, or to purchase discounted used/refurbished snack vending machines. Starting small will allow you to build your profits and save money for additional machines or an upgraded vending machine. As you research ways to make the most of your vending business, consider the following information:

1. Increase your customer base by including healthy snack vending machines in your selection.

2. Stock your snack vending machines with popular snack foods.

3. Save money by purchasing used or refurbished snack vending machines.

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

Promote health with healthy snack vending machines

Vending machines aren't just about candy bars anymore. As more and more people are making healthier snack food choices it's advantageous to install snack vending machines that include fresh fruits and veggies, low-fat options, organic foods and other healthy snack foods. Selling healthy snacks will open up opportunities to entice those who would normally avoid vending machines.

I recommend: Nextgen Vending is a vending company that stocks only organic snacks and beverages. It has a nutrition guide on its site that is helpful for determining the types of snacks to include in healthy snack vending machines. American Public Health Association (APHA) outlines research results of low-fat snack food purchases in correlation to its prices.

Look into candy food trends for candy vending machines

A candy bar, pack of gum or package of cookies will always hold an allure to people with grumbling bellies. Help satisfy appetites by providing top of the line candy and snacks in snack machines. Providing snacks that are trendy will help your vending machine make profits. Follow the trends of past years to see what vending machine foods is the best selling and what foods to leave out.

I recommend: Vencoa is one of many snack vending machine suppliers. It includes research on the types of food that vendors successfully sell in snack vending machines. Find out what the all-time best and worst vending machine snacks are at Forbes.com.

Save money by purchasing vending machines from used/refurbished snack vending machine providers

Purchasing used equipment does not necessarily mean that you are purchasing equipment that will soon break down and require constant maintenance. Often times used and refurbished food vending machine providers will offer a warranty with their products. As your profits grow, look in to upgrading your vending machines to a new vending machine.

I recommend: Breaktime Vending is an online marketplace for purchasing and selling used vending machines. It provides tips for finding the best vending machine locations for those that are setting up vending machine contracts. Vendweb.com is also a provider of used and refurbished vending machines. It has been in the vending business for over 18 years.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When it is not in your budget to purchase a vending machine outright, inquire about leasing a machine from a snack vending machine distributor. Many distributors offer vending programs that do not require the purchase of a vending machine up front.

Most seasoned business owners know that a happy employee typically equates to a more productive employee. Adding snack vending machines to your office is one way to keep employee s happy.

The snack machines found in today’s offices are no longer limited to soda, candy, chips and prepackaged sandwiches. Many snack vending machine suppliers offer healthy snack vending machines featuring a wide range of delicacies, such as granola bars, energy drinks and more.

Before you choose snack vending machines for your business, consider the following:

1. Ask employees what items they would like to see in a snack vending machine, even requesting that they distinguish between preferred soda and snack food brands.
2. Determine whether or not you want full-service food vending machine providers that restock items and handle any maintenance issues, or if you would prefer to purchase a coin operated snack vending machine outright.
3. Explore local or regional snack vending machine providers to support local products and services.

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

Offer healthy snack alternatives

Many people today are trying to be more health-conscious, so why not help them out by providing an alternative to candy vending machines? Even better, the snacks found in healthy snack vending machines will give employees a real boost instead of the false energy a sugar-high typically provides.

I recommend: Quill offers a variety of healthy foods in its snack vending machines, including granola bars, nuts and 100-calorie snack packs.

Quench that thirst

Chances are your employees will want to wash down that healthy snack with a cold or hot beverage. Make sure there are plenty of options for them to choose from.

I recommend: OfficeCoffee is more than the name implies: They help companies find the best providers of office coffee services, water delivery service, snack vending machines and more. For small companies consider 1.800.VENDING’s all-in-one snack vending machine, including cold drinks.

Support local vendors

A local or regional snack vending machine distributor may be able to provide more hands-on service as well as include items and brands that are regionally produced.

I recommend: Vending Assistance serves California businesses by comparing quality, affordable snack vending machine suppliers for you based on your needs. Local Vending is a full-service snack vending machine company serving the Chicago area. MagicYellow can help you find candy vending machines in all major U.S. cities.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider renting a machine directly from a vendor. This will limit the products you can offer, but you'll typically be able to keep some of the profits with this type of set up.

No matter what type of business you run it's probably true that you have employees or patrons that will benefit from snack machines. Whether it's a hotel with snack vending machines in the lobby or an office with employees that will benefit from snack machines, these can be easy to maintain while still making a profit.

Coin operated snack machines can vary in cost so it's a good idea to find out the best possible deals you can get on utilizing them. Consider healthy snack vending machines in today's health conscious society and candy vending machines for areas with children. No matter what type of vending machine you choose, learn how to save money by gaining education on snack vending machines pricing and costs.

1. Use snack vending machine suppliers that offer free or reduced shipping.

2. Consider candy vending machines that are leased from a vendor.

3. Explore using snack vending machine providers that offer refurbished machines.

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

Expand your budget by utilizing food vending machine providers that offer low or free shipping costs

Shipping can be a major part of your expenditures when refilling vending machines or even making your initial purchase. This can save you hundreds of dollars that could be used on buying more items for your vending machines. Shipping can be between $75.00 for a small machine and hundreds for a large vending machine.

I recommend: XYZ Vending offers free shipping on parts and bulk candy and discounted shipping for vending machines. Greenwood Gems Vending always offers free shipping on all of their vending machines.

Lease from a snack vending machine distributor to save on full purchase costs

A vending machine that is owned outright can be costly. While you retain all profits, you need upfront payment on a piece of equipment that is expensive. Leasing allows you to utilize the profits from a snack vending machine while making low monthly payments.

I recommend: Vendors Equipment provides leasing packages for as little as $750 per month, but these are for multiple machines. One machine bought outright can cost more than that. The Hanna Group has great information about snack vending machine leasing with benefits and disadvantages.

Consider a used machine from a snack vending machine supplier

Purchasing a brand new coin operated snack vending machine can be costly. When going with a used or refurbished machine, most come with warranties and are a fraction of the cost.

I recommend: Southern Equipment Sales offers used vending machines starting at around $1000 and offers a small combination package for under $2000. Vending Dot Com offers used equipment that you can still lease for as little as $85 per month and all come with a year warranty.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you plan to stock your candy vending machine yourself, buy in bulk to save time and money.

Snack vending machines are an excellent way to improve employees' work performance. Hungry employees cannot work to their full potential, but if they are able to get a snack whenever they need one, they'll be able to work more comfortably. If you're thinking about adding a snack vending machine to your office, you should learn some of the terminology that's associated with the industry. Knowing whether you're looking for an all-in-one machine or a cold and frozen food machine will help you when working with vending service companies.

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

All-in-one machine

An all-in-one machine serves both snacks and drinks. This is a great solution for companies that don't have much space for a vending machine. They only need to have the space for one machine.

I recommend: 1-800-Vending shows examples of all-in-one machines.

Snack vending machine leasing

Some companies prefer to get a snack vending machine lease than to buy it outright. With a lease, you make smaller monthly payments. Depending on the terms of the lease, you may be able to buy the machine at the end of the lease.

I recommend: Vendors Equipment explains the terms of their snack vending machine leases.

Full service vending

A full service vending company will provide you with everything you need to get started. They will give you the vending machine and stock it with snacks. They will then periodically come by to replace snacks as needed. This is ideal for a company that wants snack vending machines without a lot of hassle.

I recommend: Vending Solutions describes full service vending. Take a look at the list of services they provide to get a better idea of full service vending.

Cashless vending machine

Cashless vending machines are vending machines that have a credit card processor attached. Rather than inserting change, or trying to get that crumpled up dollar to go into the reader, employees can simply use their credit card to make purchases. This usually results in higher profits.

I recommend: Vencoa Vending Machines discusses the success of cashless vending machines.

Cold and frozen food machines

Cold and frozen food machines don't offer the traditional snack foods. Rather, it offers cold foods, such as sandwiches, yogurt and fruits, as well as frozen meals that an employee can microwave. Alternatively, some frozen machines are designed for ice cream treats.

I recommend: See examples of cold and frozen food machines at Southern Equipment Sales.

12-Selection

A 12-selection machine is a machine that has twelve selections for employees to choose from. Likewise, a 24-selection machine would have 24 options.

I recommend: View machines with a wide variety of selection options at Vending.com.