Vending Machine Business

Vending Route as a Business: Learn More from GAD Vending

Vending Route as a Business: Learn More from GAD Vending 628 266 GAD Vending

GAD Vending has a long standing reputation of providing top of the line vending equipment, ATM, claw machines and more to our customers who own vending routes in the Midwest.

Coming out of COVID, if you are interested in starting a new vending business, we are happy to meet with you and help.

Been in the vending business awhile and looking for a new equipment partner? Need to learn how to defend your base locations? Looking to expand to new vending opportunities? GAD can help with training, quality equipment and service to back you up.

Equipment Inventory

GAD has an incredible inventory of machines ready to deploy. Need an ATM for the weekend? New vending machines for an opening up location? Coffee service machines for breakrooms? GAD has that.

On our website, we update our equipment inventory so you know too. While this list is only updated once a month, it will give you an idea of the scope of machines we inventory in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City.

Design Services

GAD has helped design many types of services. From specifying the deployment of vending machines with a mix of drinks and snacks to an entire micro market, GAD assists our vending route customers with expertise.

GAD trains our customers how to use the automated features with cashless vending and inventory reporting.

And, we can complete the breakroom. From coffee vending machines to condiment stations. Freezers to microwaves. GAD can procure an entire commercial breakroom.

Equipment Service Department

GAD had complete parts and service departments in each of our locations – Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City.

Need to reconfigure a vending machine? We have parts for that. Want to just get the parts mailed to you? We do that. Need to fix a pinball machine, vending machine and ATM? Call GAD.

Pros and Cons: Buying Supplies for Your Vending Machine Business

Pros and Cons: Buying Supplies for Your Vending Machine Business 750 500 GAD Vending

The vending machine route business is a balance of best vending equipment, best locations, quick service and best products.

The focus of this article is about keeping the best product mix, in stock and least cost.

LOWER COST = BIGGER PROFIT

After you secure a location with an owner eager to have you place your vending machine, what do you do next? If you want your vending machine business to succeed, you need to work at the best product mix to maximize customer satisfaction at least cost.

There is a huge variety of products available with just as many options of where to buy. You’ll need to determine the best resources from: wholesalers, cash and carry suppliers, brokers of specialty products or membership clubs.

WHOLESALERS

Pros:

Wholesalers usually offer the widest selection of product types at the lowest prices available. Besides having extensive lists of items to choose from, wholesalers are frequently better positioned to distribute them quickly to you. You’ll need a supplier that can react quickly and wholesale distribution centers can ship within a day or two. Research if there is a wholesaler in your area so you can pick up product in a pinch.

Wholesalers have thousands of items to choose from. They offer a variety in sizes to provide you with extra profit potential by offering specials. And a wide variety of choices to make this a one stop resource.

Cons:

As convenient as a large distributor can be, shipping charges can add up. Ask about additional fees for split cases, small orders or frequent order charges. You’ll want to use a large wholesaler for items you sell frequently and can turn before sell by dates. It will take time to establish a trade account/credit. Your cash could be tied up for up to an additional week with fulfillment and shipping time.

Waste can lead to lower profits.

CASH AND CARRY SUPPLIERS

Pros:

Cash and carry suppliers are usually associated with a particular wholesale distributor, such as Vistar. Supply companies usually offer case lots of popular products that vending machine business can order and then pick up at any one of their locations. They also cater to small mom-and-pop stores and other vendor types.

Two of the main benefits of cash and carry suppliers is the amount of products available and the convenience. Since they are usually attached to a larger wholesale dealer, they carry the same product lines in smaller quantities. Also, the day you order is frequently the day you pick up your cases and you can drive off to service and vending machines right away.

Most of the cash and carry suppliers who work with vending companies require your business license and appropriate account opening paperwork but no other opening fees.

Cons:

If your vending route doesn’t take you near a distribution location, this may not be an option for you.

Do the math! The cost of product selection in small amounts can be costly. The convenience factors can be the most costly.

BROKERS OF SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Pros:

Specialty vending machine business brokers specializing in hot products can be your best resource. These business people look for the newest trends, products and new release items that you’ll want in your vending machines.

Although it does cost money to use one of these vending machine business brokers, they can be quite valuable especially for beginners who do not understand or have the manpower to track sales trends and analyze profits over time in order to pick the best products or routes. They also negotiate with manufacturers to get special bulk discounts or rebates on larger quantities. These savings are shared amongst several different vending machine businesses.

Use brokers on items you can increase the spread. The broker should be able to negotiate better deals, faster delivery and/or unique products to increase the inventory turn in your vending machines.

Cons:

The majority of specialty brokers work primarily with large and established vending machine businesses with bigger budgets and more work. You may be better off with a smaller brokerage to start. If you do hire one at the start of your vending machine business, you will undoubtedly be assigned a junior broker who is still learning. They may have fewer contacts and sources and less skill at tracking trends.

Many brokers are representing a particular brand name of food, beverages and other products. Their goal is to sell as much product from that company is possible and not necessarily to improve your vending business or increase your profitability. Ask! If you know that is their motivation, understanding how you can make this work for you is key.

MEMBERSHIP WAREHOUSES 

Pros:

Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s are all examples of membership clubs that vending machine businesses can buy a products from.

Although they are also open to the public, who purchased a membership, these clubs are also attractive sources for wholesale products intended for vending machine resale. As long as you live or work nearby, these warehouses are very convenient for buying anything from individually wrapped candy to soda to snacks. Check for special business hours. This will save time.

Calculate your costs. Membership clubs do not put considerable markup on the wholesale prices they get. Since they are such large companies themselves, they can buy in massive bulk quantities at special discount prices from the manufacturers. These initial savings is passed on to you. This allows your vending machine business to sell products at the same price and keep your level of profit steady.

Not only are quantities high and costs low, most memberships clubs allow you to return unused products for a full refund. Wholesalers, on the other hand, may charge return and restocking fees.

Cons:

Most wholesale clubs have an annual membership fee. Calculate this into your costs.

Membership warehouses are not stocking just for you. The product selection may be limited in some categories or out of stock. Be prepared to change your inventory on the fly.

RESULTS

The Volume of Your Vending Machine Business Will Dictate

It will all come down to determining the best combination for your business. And, always run the margins! It will become second nature to make decisions on specialty products, specials and product mix changes based on your route.

Using an app, like ones offered by Crane Vending, will help you with management reports on usage, time out of stock and other critical factors. Making product mix decisions will become easier over time.

Driving to the Supplier Cuts Into Profits

There is always a business balance to achieve with profit. Driving to a supplier costs time, gas and vehicle costs. While shipping costs and receiving has a separate cost quotient. Take all costs in to account.

Focus on Buyer Benefits

In the end, the products you choose and where you buy them from should matter primarily because of the experience you can give to your ultimate consumer.

Give them clean, high quality and fresh products – and you’ll be rewarded with returning customers!

5 Critical Factors to Consider When Sourcing Vending Products for Your Business

5 Critical Factors to Consider When Sourcing Vending Products for Your Business 750 395 GAD Vending

Owning your own vending machine route business creates many decisions during your day. One of the most critical, ongoing is what to fill your vending machines with.

Here’s what you need to consider: 

  1. Taste – know your demographics of vending customer! Family vs. single; male vs. female; work vs. play are all contributing factors to your product mix. Experiment. Have sampling events. Watch your reports for orders, time of day, day of week.
  2. Healthy vs. Snack – don’t prejudge! There is an overall trend for healthier foods but that doesn’t mean your vending customer will only choose healthy. Mix it up – and follow any guidelines set by the owner of the location. Schools and hospitals may have wellness programs you need to adhere to.
  3. Value – be competitive in price. Using name brands means you need to be aware of the prevailing market price – by price and product size. Watch your margins and use unique brands where you can.
  4. Brand Recognition – vending customers tend to stick with brands they know. Keep them coming back by continuing to stock a mix.
  5. Novelties – customers can get bored. Offer them a surprise by occasionally offering an old time brand or something of unique interest.

GAD Vending can help you configure your vending machines to accommodate many different types of products. Be creative. Vending machines can be located outdoors. In a vending machine bank. As a single vending machine configured to accommodate both snacks and drinks.

Crane VendMAX: Choose Flexibility, Growth and Profitability

Crane VendMAX: Choose Flexibility, Growth and Profitability 700 275 GAD Vending
crane vendmax

The technology you choose matters, it’s not a commodity. Crane and GAD Vending understands that. When you invest in new vending software, you are investing in your company’s future. You want to grow. To stay ahead of the competition. And to become more successful.

The Best (Vending Machine) Coffee

The Best (Vending Machine) Coffee 642 410 GAD Vending

Exceed your vending customer expectations by offering barista-quality coffee from VOCE. Using the same technology found at your local coffee shop, VOCE delivers consistently delicious coffee drinks made with fresh ground coffee beans or pre ground coffee in a touchless vending machine.

Transformative Coffee Experience

Vending machine coffee was the brunt of many jokes, and for a long time, that was okay. But Crane EMS took notice, did their homework and developed the VOCE Media Coffee Vending machine.

  • 18 delicious selections
  • Integrated touchless payment system
  • Reliable performance
  • Energy efficient
  • Simplified maintenance
  • Small footprint

Transform the office! Each drink is consistently delivered with stellar taste, aroma, color and appearance. Choose to use the whole bean experience. Each cup has fresh ground coffee, flavored to the customer’s wish. No shared condiments. No shared coffee pots. Each cup is prepared in a touchless, closed environment.

Get rid of the common coffee pots. Gone are the coffee pod manual systems. Finally, the common creamer, sugars, teas and drink mixes are no longer. The VOCE Media coffee vending machine is self contained, so there is less touch then a normal coffee station. If used in an employee break room, payment can be touchless with an employee badge.

The Crane VOCE Media hot beverage vending machine is available at GAD Vending in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

Tell the Boss to Replace the (Gross) Common Office Coffee Station

Tell the Boss to Replace the (Gross) Common Office Coffee Station 642 410 GAD Vending

Common coffee stations – with all the pots and condiments – is a single germy touch point of employees all day. Fix your break room with an easy and popular fix – get a Crane VOCE Media coffee vending machine.

VOCE MEDIA DRINK SELECTIONS

Perception meets reality. From the moment when a made-to-order selection is made, to choosing the most convenient method of touchless payment, to the interactive messaging, to the delivery of a delicious finished drink. VOCE Media delivers a positive employee experience.

VOCE Media serves barista style specialty beverages that broaden appeal to everyone in the office, all day long. Using the same brewing process and equipment as popular coffee houses, the VOCE Media finished drink profile mirrors all of the important attributes of consistency, taste, aroma, color and appearance. The Crane VOCE Media drink machines can be loaded with premium coffee beans that are ground for each cup. Treat your employees to a better coffee.

VOCE MEDIA PROMOTES DAILY USE WITH TOUCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

Hot beverages are an essential part of our office life. Providing refreshment, enjoyment and comfort. Coffee and tea wake us up, stimulate good conversation and fulfill our occasional desire for indulgence with a wonderful hot chocolate. It’s a very personal process and that’s why the VOCE Media ATM user interface puts the end user in control. People create their favorite by determining the drink, strength of coffee, the amount of sugar or creamer – and receive a personal PIN for reordering.

Looking at everything in the office to create a COVID free environment? Get rid of the manual pod machine. No more coffee pots that someone has to fill, clean and sanitize. And, you can get rid of all the common condiments – gone is the old creamers, sugar and powdered drink mixes. Gone is sanitizing the common break room counter between every cup of coffee from the pot. Gone is morning coffee runs out of the office.

GAD Vending sells Crane VOCE Media hot beverage vending machines in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. Call us to try a cup from a Crane VOCE Media vending machine.

 

Looking at starting a small business? What about a vending machine business?

Looking at starting a small business? What about a vending machine business? 1000 656 GAD Vending

Coming out of stay-at-home into safer-at-home, many are looking for different ways to start a business with less contact. The vending machine route business could be for you.

  1. Be your own boss.
  2. Today’s hard work earns money for you, not someone else.
  3. Your time becomes yours. As your route grows, you set your hours (along with your customers) of when to fill, clean and service your machines.
  4. You control your business.
  5. Create a business with passive income so your family isn’t reliant on only one channel of income.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Like any business you’d look at to start, do your homework.

Research the vending machine business. There are many articles and books on what this business is about. If you want to shadow a vending route sales person, let GAD Vending know. We can help you find someone in the industry. You’ll want to learn what a typical day could look like. What the newest technology brings to the business. How you can manage your inventory and time during your day.

Ask if there is an existing vending route for sale. Do the numbers with your trusted financial team to determine the best ways to start your business.

Discuss within your family and friends to see if this business makes sense for you. With any business start-up, it’s important to have support of your network.

READY?

  • Start by contacting the SBA and SCORE. These organizations have resources for business planning, legal start-up, financing options and free business mentoring.
  • Talk with your banker, CPA and other trusted business sources.
  • Research the best vending machines, vending machine repair parts, payment acceptance options and refill inventory options.
  • Find the best locations for your vending machines, and go secure those locations.

Starting any business requires tenacity, hard work, and perseverance.  GAD Vending has sold vending machines, games, ATM and other equipment for over 30 years. Our sales and equipment repair service are located in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City. We are here to be a resource for our customers, the vending machine route operator, and for you. Call us, we are here to answer your questions.

Vending Machine: Combo Machines Make Sense for Single Machine Spaces

Vending Machine: Combo Machines Make Sense for Single Machine Spaces 2100 3755 GAD Vending
crane_006321_011_MEDIA2_MerchCombo_SellSheet_8.5x11_1-4-19_V6 (1)

GAD Vending can assist you with the best configuration for your audience. Add Cashless Payment Systems to reduce touch. Add colorful graphics, suggestive selling digital displays and a healthy mix of products. Keep your audience coming back again and again to use your vending machine.

Retrofit Your Vending Machines To Go Touchless

Retrofit Your Vending Machines To Go Touchless 767 527 GAD Vending

With COVID concerns, unattended machines may not be as appealing to consumers as they once were. Consider this – go touchless with Crane Cashless Solutions.

As people go back to their routines, we expect a few things to change. In the past, people were twice as likely to have a phone on them vs. cash. And, 1 in 5 consumers didn’t care cash at all. With COVID concerns, expect mobile pay on even the smallest purchases to increase.

CRANE FLEXIBILITY AND CHOICE

The most flexible, user-friendly solution for cashless vending:

  • Vending consumer can use their mobile app to purchase and pay.
  • Powerful cloud based reporting and analytics tool enables performance tracking for cash and cashless sales.
  • Remote management of vending machines for improved operational efficiency.
  • Accessible deposits that correspond to the cashless sales for increased accountability.
  • Designed as a flexible solution capable of offering online services such as remote management of planograms, advertisements, cash discounts and promotions.
  • Connect to payment systems for major card acceptance, mobile pay and premium service options.

PLUG AND PLAY

The most advanced retrofit telemetry device. Crane Cashless units are module for easy upgrades. And, have multiple USB ports for additional beacons and cameras.

Crane Cashless systems can be retrofitted into most vending machines, claw game machines and more.

Consumer confidence in touchless ordering and payment are worth the retrofit alone. The added management reports, inventory management and remote capabilities are the added bonus to your machine business. Ask GAD Vending for a demonstration today!