As a business, knowing where to start when incorporating vending machines can be confusing. Businesses have to choose between “self-fill” vending, i.e., owning their own machine and receiving 100% of all proceeds, or “full-service” vending where a company, like a vending management company, provides equipment and service on a regular basis. The main considerations between the two options are the costs and the profits. Do you want to purchase and maintain your own machine, or do you want free equipment and service?
Businesses of all kinds have increased sustainability efforts in recent years due to new regulations, customer preferences, and even pressure from investors. As a result, business leaders across all industries have expanded efforts to minimize environmental impacts of their operations:
How much money will we get?
That's often one of the first questions we receive from prospective customers, and we understand why: generating extra revenue from commissions is a main benefit of using a national vending program. It makes sense that customers would seek maximum value immediately. After all, getting the most out of the products and services you procure for your company determines which ones you choose. So, how much can you make?
They grew up with mobile phones, wireless technology, and streaming shows on Netflix. Some have hardly any recollection of a pre-9/11 world, when you could show up at the airport just a few minutes before a flight and still make it on time. No, we’re not talking about millennials here. That generation will soon be ‘over the hill’ and owns homes, has children of their own, and holds mid to executive level leadership positions. We’re talking about Generation Z.
One of the biggest benefits of having a national vending program is the consolidation of commissions from all of your properties. Instead of having a few bucks going here and there, only to be spent on who knows what, receiving one commission check each quarter for all your vending machines gives you better insight into the revenue your vending program generates.
A quick search online for 'healthy vending machine snacks' results in a series of websites that list products they claim to be healthy. Some of the items listed include chips and candy products such as Baked! Lays and Peanut M&Ms. Perhaps those are healthier choices than other selections, but are they actually good for you?
Healthy drinks in a vending machine might seem like an oxymoron. After all, vending machines have traditionally been stocked with sugary sodas. But tastes have changed. People are more conscious of what types of foods and drinks they put into their bodies. Low-sugar options are high on their list. The good news is that those big soda brands do provide a variety of healthier beverage options.
Energy is one of the biggest costs hotels have to manage. In fact, hotels spend about $2,200 dollars per guest room a year on energy alone. The majority is spent on HVAC, lighting, ventilation, and water consumption.
In recent years, hoteliers have increased their focus on energy reduction as a result of consumer demand and to help alleviate their impact on the environment and reduce costs.
When you think of vending machines, it's likely to conjure up an image of an old soda machine sitting in some dark corner that's only good for stealing your money. It's a shame, too. There are some high quality vending machines out there now, equipped with the latest tech to pique the interest of Elon Musk. Okay, perhaps not. But they've come a very long way. Still, like any industry there are a regular flow of complaints about vending machine services.
One of the benefits of a national vending program is the ability to generate ancillary revenue from the vending machines at all your properties. In aggregate, this can be a significant source of extra income for your business and add to the bottom line. The amount of commissions each machine generates varies depending on a variety of factors, but nevertheless the extra revenue is just that—extra cash for your company.