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A Guide to Vending Machine Franchise

A vending machine franchise can be a great investment.  Overhead is low, brand recognition is high, and the time you’ll have to dedicate to it is minimal.  If you own a small business or public building, it’s a good idea to consider participating in an already successful field.  Let’s think about what the advantages to such a venture would be, and what you’ll want to watch out for before you begin.

Benefits

Vending machines can be operated and maintained by a central company, so you won’t have to worry about the details of having one constantly in operation.  Besides, since the food and drinks dispensed automatically are not perishable, the cost of this kind of maintenance to you and the company making the rounds is relatively low.

No regular staff is required to keep a reserve of food around – and any place with any amount of people spending time there can benefit from having extra snacks on hand.  Your staff will likely appreciate the opportunity to grab a soda or candy bar on their break quickly and easily, and you won’t have to worry about spoilage or cashiers.

It’s a constant source of income for you, and it’s a relatively low cost to the customers, making for a quick and effective way of satisfying hunger pangs while profiting the business.

Pitfalls

Vending machines have come under fire from consumer watchdog groups for providing mainly unhealthy snacks.  Popular non-perishable foods are often high in sugar, fat, and preservatives that are not ideal as a regular diet.  There are alternatives available, but the associated cost can be higher, and the machines require more maintenance to replace the more fragile foodstuffs.

You’ll want to make sure you’re providing snacks that you feel comfortable feeding your staff or the general public, so make sure you make the right choice for you and for them.  It’s a good idea to consult with your staff to make sure you’re investing in the kind of vending machine franchise that will please them, because an unpopular choice will be a bad investment.

More importantly, you’ll want to make sure your vending machine is reliable and effective.  There are a number of options available to you, and it’s important to make sure you limit breakdowns, provide the products people want, and keep your price points where you want them.

Getting Started

Make an informed choice when you begin researching your options.  Different technologies of vending machines offer different kinds of products and features.  Some machines offer credit card transactions; others can easily break down due to a bent coin.  Some offer more popular products, but these can have limited options, and there can be relatively strict brand rules on what can be offered in a single machine and what can’t.

A low initial investment in a machine that offers poor product selection or breaks down easily will cause problems for you down the line, but paying too much might set you profit margin too thin.  Try to get an idea of what the demand will be like before starting.

Conclusion

Investing in vending machines can be a neat way of increasing your revenue flow without risking too much of your time or money.  It’s wise to start small and get a thorough understanding of your client base and the available technologies, but once you get started, you’ll probably find it to be an elegant way of boosting your profit potential.