Working with Distributors of Food and Beverage Vending Machines

How the right vending machine suppliers can dispense success for your business

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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

• 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.

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