John 🅰️ Rogers’ Post

Most retail stores are closed at night. But my vending machines transform bars into convenience hubs. Here's how: 1. Enhance the overall customer experience at the bar. Adult nightlife vending machines make the bar experience more convenient. Customers can buy forgotten essentials like hangover cures without leaving the premises. This saves them time and hassle, ensuring a smoother night out. 2. Differentiation and attraction. Having an adult vending machine sets your bar apart from the competition. It offers unique items easily accessible with a few taps. This, of course, makes bar memorable and encourage repeat visits among patrons. 3. Additional income stream. Partnering with a vending machine operator is a hassle-free way to earn extra money. With profit-sharing, bar owners can increase revenue without extra staff or paperwork. It's a boost to the bottom line without any hassle or risk.

Myths about buying or operating a vending route. Based on the many many questions I get: - They are not passive. Such crap. BUT you can make an extra $300-$400 a month (net) with 1 machine and 2 hours a week - Great routes RARELY come available for sale. Most are made up of a few really good locations and 90% not good locations - Anyone can start, most won't make it more than 12 months and will sell. - It's not as easy as just buying some old machine and slapping a credit card reader on it. Many old machines don't accept CC readers and need a new board installed. Don't fall for this trap - Having less than 5 machines is harder than having 10 machines. Especially if you have a few locations that are crushing it. Nearly the same amount of time each week, a lot more revenue. - You don't need to buy from the huge suppliers until you're selling more than 1,500 snacks a week. That's a lot. Sams club is by far the cheapest. - You can't hold backstock. This is a pain in the ass but you get used to it. Many items expire faster than you realize. Running really lean on inventory is a skill learned. - Not all machines are treated equal. There are WAY better quality out there. - Combo machines are not always the right option. (serves food and drinks). If you have a high volume location you want to separate them out, you'll 1.5x revenue. Just some answers to questions I get on the regular. I'm writing more about vending here: https://bit.ly/40SOav8

An NCAA March Madness Star Has A Vending Machine Business. That inspired a breakdown this week on TheHobbyLetter.com Here's an excerpt from the premium section: And so I figured it would be a good time to break down the basics of owning and operating vending machines as its also such a popular category: I interviewed a successful vending machine business owner and this is a summary of what he said and my step by step off of that in how to start your vending machine business today: 1) You have to FIND THE LOCATION for your first vending machine to go! -I would recommend calling local businesses to start and asking if you can in exchange for them having the services (free) or if you have to, maybe for a profit share. (Avoid that at all costs) -Offer it like a free service for the business that also keeps employees on site for longer. -Look for high traffic areas where people would want what your machine will provide: Drinks or Snacks are most common. There are other categories too though. Note: Most businesses will say NO, but some will say YES. Keep going. Note: Don't place one if there’s a store right next door like a CVS or 7 Eleven or walmart. Find places with little to no competition. Gyms, Churches, Large Office Complexes, schools, Apartment buildings are often spoke of as great spots. *Big places will probably as for multiple machines. 2) Come to an agreement with the business owner that you can keep your vending machine there for a long time and you’ll come in and refill it weekly or 2x a week or whatever the cadence is based on how fast it sells. Note: Measure the space it's going in before you buy the machine. 3) Buy The vending machine *Details on site Steps 4,5 in detail and overview in detail on thehobbyletter.com Subscribe to thehobbyletter.com if you found this interesting!

Have you wondered what the difference is between Fully Managed and Self Managed Vending? ❓ Don't worry - Westways Vending Ltd have got all of the answers for you. We've put together a helpful blog post on our website to help. We've answered all of the questions you might have, and which hopefully will help you decide which service is best for you and your business. #Westwaysvending #vendingmachines #vendingservices #fullymanagedvending #coffeemachines

My first year in the vending machine business was a crash course in what not to do. But if done right, it can be incredibly profitable! For anyone diving into vending, here are 6 small (but totally fixable) mistakes first-time vending machine operators often make. Trust me, avoiding these will turbocharge your business: Mistake #1: Neglecting foot traffic and daily employee count. A good rule of thumb? Aim for spots with at least 1,500 people a week strolling by. Crunch the numbers, and you'll see the cash flow. In my case, for example: Assuming 3% of folks (at 1,500 foot traffic) buy once a week at one of my bar locations, that's 45 units sold per week. With my average order volume (AOV) at $23/unit, that's $1,035 in revenue per week! That's a healthy $4k+ per month, netting me $1.5k/mo. Mistake #2: Ignoring product trends. Another goof? Not talking to your customers. This one hits close to home because I've been there – trust me, you want to avoid this. Once, we were stuck with $30k of inventory that just wouldn't move when we switched to hotter brands. Now, I'm trying something new: testing a few rows for new products. Takeaway? Chat with your customers. They know what's in demand. Mistake #3: Neglecting maintenance. This one's crucial, especially for outdoor machines. I've seen vending machines go a year without a cleaning – or even a dusting! My tip: Wipe them down at least 2x a month. Make your machine look inviting and hygienic for buyers. Mistake #4: Pricing too low. When it comes to vending machines, it's better to start high than low. Here's the rationale: Imagine you price your product high; you can always bring it down later. But if you start low, it's tough to raise prices without backlash. Mistake #5: Lack of diversity. Three months back, I noticed sales were slipping. So, I headed straight to one of our best-performing machines. Guess what? Out of 25 people I talked to, all of them were raving about ONE product – and it wasn't even in our machine! We added that product, and sales shot up by 35% in just a week. Since then, we've expanded from 3 brands to 9, with 4 new mystery bags coming next week (stay tuned!) Lesson learned: keep an eye on your sales. If they dip, consider introducing new products. It's easier to retain customers than win them back. Mistake #6: Poor Business Planning This is where all the mistakes stack up – bad machines, wrong location, limited product variety, and more. It's what happens when you don't plan before diving in. I learned the hard way: Opportunities will come, but saying yes to every one of them isn't wise. Take it from me. Saying yes to every opportunity seemed great at first. My machines were in 30 cities within six months! But because I didn't consider all possibilities, I lost track of inventory and ended up with unpaid/stolen products.

What exactly is national vending management? Simplify your vending operations with a vending management company! 🌟 Instead of juggling multiple vendors at different locations, consolidate everything into one account. From installation to maintenance, we’ll handle it all with trusted partners like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. You'll stay focused on your core business while we take care of vending and service issues. Hassle-free vending for ALL your properties, backed by easy reporting and reliable service. Read more here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Q_0zK0 #vendinggroup #VendingSolutions #BusinessEfficiency #VendingManagement #Convenience

What to Do If the Vending Machine in Your Facility Is Abandoned? As a #warehouse #manager, ensuring a clean and efficient working environment for your employees is crucial. An abandoned vending machine can not only be an eyesore but also take up valuable space and potentially cause frustration among staff. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove an abandoned vending machine from your property. Step 1: Check the Machine for Contact Information The first step in dealing with an abandoned vending machine is to identify the last known supplier who serviced it. Look for contact information typically found on a sticker above the coin and dollar bill mechanisms. If the machine lacks any identifying information, proceed to the next step. Note: If the vending machine is branded (e.g., Coke or Pepsi), check the side for a serial number or asset number. Contact the local Coke or Pepsi vending sales center with this information and ask to speak with the full-service supervisor, who manages the servicing schedule for vending machines in your area. Step 2: Place a Note on the Machine If Coke or Pepsi confirms that the machine is not their equipment, the next step is to place a notice on the machine. Leave a note for 30 days requesting the supplier to remove the machine or contact someone in management. During this period, reach out to other local vending companies to see if they have any information that could help. Some companies might even offer to take over the servicing of the equipment. Step 3: Send a Certified Letter After the 30-day notice period, if no one has contacted you, send a certified letter to the last known supplier who serviced the machine. In the letter, explain that you will have the vending machine hauled away if it is not removed by a specified date, typically within another 30 days. Step 4: Send One Last Notice If the supplier still does not respond within the given timeframe, send one final notice stating that the machine will be hauled away. Step 5: Hire a Professional Company Once all notices have been sent and the supplier has not taken action, contact a local professional company to pick up and dispose of the vending machine. This ensures the machine is removed safely and efficiently. Final Advice Throughout this process, it’s important to keep all documentation of your attempts to contact the supplier about removing the vending machine. This includes letters, emails, and phone calls. If time is of the essence, you can shorten the length of time for providing notice, but try to provide at least two weeks’ notice to cover all bases. By following these steps, you can effectively handle an abandoned vending machine and maintain a better working environment for your employees. Proper management of such issues not only keeps the workspace tidy but also ensures that employees have access to functional and stocked vending machines, contributing to their overall satisfaction and productivity.

🍦 Mobile Vendor Spotlight: An Interview with Ryan - The Original Conroe Ice Cream Boat 🔍 How did you discover Southern Ice Cream? "When developing the Conroe Ice Cream Boat, we sought vendors who aligned with our values of proximity, variety, and cost-effectiveness. Southern Ice Cream ticked all the boxes, delivering exceptional service and professionalism." 🛥️ What services did Southern Ice Cream provide? "Southern Ice Cream supplies all our frozen treats on the boat, offering a delectable selection of 22 flavors and types. Choosing just one can be the toughest decision for our customers!" 🚚 How did Southern Ice Cream make ice cream ordering easy with a smile? "From their user-friendly website ordering to courteous calls regarding order quantity and quality, to the friendly and prompt delivery drivers, every step with Southern Ice Cream has been effortless and delightful." ❓ Why did you choose mobile vending? "At The Conroe Ice Cream Boat, our aim is to bring the joy and nostalgia of an ice cream truck to Lake Conroe. As pioneers of this concept in the area, we're thrilled to offer this unique experience to our customers and visitors." 👥 Who are some of your best customers? "Every individual we've encountered has been fantastic! We love witnessing the excitement of both kids and adults as they enjoy the Ice Cream Boat during our lake travels or private events at docks." 🥇 What are your best-selling products? "For the little ones, character pops and Bomb Pops fly off the shelves. Meanwhile, adults gravitate towards indulgent options like Big Dippers and Chips Galore chocolate bars." 📈 What are some of your best business practices? "Accessibility and reliability are paramount to us. We strive to be available to everyone and offer a wide variety of products to ensure everyone can find something enjoyable." Want to do mobile vending with us? Discover more: https://lnkd.in/gzJ6_hHK

Running a restaurant is tough. 🥴 We get it. 🙌 That's why EdgeServ POS is more than just a point-of-sale system. We're your partner in success, providing the tools + support you need to thrive every step of the way. From streamlining operations to boosting sales, EdgeServ POS has your back. 🎉 Contact EdgeServ POS today for a demo! • #RestaurantSuccess #PointofSaleSystem #EdgeServPOS #YourRestaurantPartner

Over the past 5 years, I've installed 100+ adult nightlife vending machines across 16 cities. Here are 6 insights I wish someone told me before jumping into vending: 1. You can start with less than $1k. You can start small by buying refurbished machines. In fact, you can get 5 refurbished machines for the price of a single new one! 2. Niche vending > traditional vending. My adult nightlife machines yield 5x higher returns, and the flexibility to sell anything without worrying about spoilage is a major advantage. 3. Maintenance matters. I make it a point to conduct thorough maintenance visits on my machines every quarter to ensure they're operating at peak efficiency. 4. Pricing premium first can be a smart play. Not only does it establish the value of your products, but it also allows for adjustments without facing backlash. 5. Product trends shift quicker than you think. I learned this the hard way when I found myself stuck with $30k worth of inventory that simply wouldn't sell after we switched to newer, more popular brands. 6. Not 100% passive income. While vending can offer passive income, it's not entirely hands-off! My team dedicates hours each week to tasks like inventory management, machine restocking, and engaging with customers. I hope these insights prove helpful to anyone looking to get into the vending.