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Healthy Snacks are becoming more and more of a thing in the vending world.
Every year, we see more locations ask for them. In some cases, the locations will just want a few healthy items. In others, the location will demand EVERYTHING be healthy choices.
We see this especially in Recreation Centres and Hospitals, although it’s becoming more and more of a thing everywhere. Offices are especially growing in demand for them.
On paper, it sounds like a great idea. We should absolutely support people trying to make healthier choices however we can.
Here’s the thing though:
As a vending machine business, going the healthy route results in a loss of business.
In this article, we’re going to give 5 reasons why offering only healthy snacks is a waste of money, and why you should steer clear of any location that demands everything in your machines be healthy.
There’s a wide range of healthy snacks you can effectively put into your snack machines.
You can expect to see sales, but don’t expect to see a lot of profit for your efforts.
The reason?
Healthy snacks are more expensive than their non-healthy counterparts.
At the time of writing this, a regular bag of Lays or Doritos can be reasonably sold for $1.50. But for vegetable chips from Terra for example, you would have to price them to AT LEAST $2.50 each to get the same amount of profit.
These leaves you with two options:
Most of the time at Lucky Vending, we go with option #2 because despite not being a fan of healthy snack options, we do support people trying to better themselves however that may be.
The sales from our other items usually more than covers any sacrifice to profit margins anyway.
However, if you don’t make a lot of sales from your vending machines, you might want to opt for #1.
Which brings us to our next point…
You might think that because your customers say they want healthier vending options, they would jump at the opportunity to buy a Granola bar if you put it in your snack machines.
You couldn’t be more wrong.
Here’s what’s typically happens:
You see, the concept of healthy snacking is no different from people who start going to the gym in January. When people are motivated to make positive changes to their life, it reflects in everything they do. However, when that motivation is gone, people go back to their old ways.
This is one of the biggest reasons we advise against a full healthy snack program. It always sounds good in theory, but results in sunken costs.
If you plan on having a machine full of healthy snacks, you better be ready to make more frequent visits.
Reason?
Most of them last roughly half as long as non-healthy snacks.
A bag of peanuts will last about a month in your snack machine until you have to completely replace it.
A bag of chips on the other hand can last over 3 months.
This is mainly due to healthy snacks containing natural ingredients that are more prone to going bad.
Natural is obviously good… but in the context of snacks you’re selling to customers in order to make a living… it’s another challenge in a business pursuit that can already be challenging.
Here’s something that’s as sad as it is shocking:
The snacks you eat when you’re trying to make better choices can be just as bad for you as the junk food you’re trying to avoid.
If you don’t believe us…
Next time you come across a granola bar, or even specific brands of veggies chips, take a look at the Nutrition Facts.
Sure they can have a lot of vitamins and nutrients, but there’s another thing they can have a lot of:
Sugar.
Most of these so-called “healthy snacks” are full of it.
Granola bars can have as much as 15g of sugar in a package. Even Beef Jerky can have as much as 21g of sugar in a full package. Considering that a can of Coke has about 39g of sugar, is this really all that healthy at the end of the day?
Truth is, most “healthy snacks” are loaded with Calories and Sugar. They’re also highly processed. So while they do in fact have more nutrients than say a Snickers bar, they can still be just as fattening and detrimental to your health.
Unless you’re straight up putting Apples and Celery Sticks in your snack machines, your healthy snack options will never truly be “healthy”.
It’s actually sad when you consider the intentions behind ordering healthy snacks.
Most people aren’t necessarily choosing a Clif Bar over a Snickers Bar because they prefer them that much - they’re doing it because they want to satisfy a craving while still being health conscious. For them to unknowingly consume something with roughly the same level of sugar content thinking they’re making a good choice is not only misleading, but problematic as well.
Here’s a situation that arises more often than vendors would like to admit:
An establishment requests vending services. You gladly oblige and put machines on-site.
After a while (usually a year or more), the location decides to get health-conscious and demands you get rid of anything that’s not low-carb or gluten-free.
In order to satisfy the customer, you reluctantly take out the Lays, Doritos, and Snickers. You replace it with things like Veggie Straws, Clif Bars, and Honey Roasted Peanuts.
Months pass and people are barely using the machine. They complain about your snack selection to HR.
Then one day, another vendor calls the location you’re servicing. The location says they already have a vending service, but the people are unsatisfied with them. The vendor asks to take a look at your machines and the location obliges.
The vendor, seeing that your machine is full of nothing but healthy snacks, immediately pounces on this glaring issue. They offer a wider variety of snacks that are hits with the general population but not currently offered by your vending machines. Things like Lays, Doritos, and Snickers.
The location is immediately sold on the vendor’s proposition. Next thing you know, you get a call from them asking you to remove your machines as you’re being replaced.
This is a setback of focusing on healthy snacks that doesn’t get talked about.
And the worst part is, it’s usually because you’re trying to provide good service by meeting the customers’ demands!
By focusing on healthy snacks in your vending machines, you severely alienate potential customers who are non health-conscious from using them. And by alienating potential customers, you increase the dissatisfaction with your services to the point where people will replace you with no hesitation.
It doesn’t matter if it was the LOCATION that made you do it.
They usually won’t remember that.
The only thing standing out in their minds is that people are not enjoying your machines.
If you run into a situation where you get asked to fill your machines with healthy snacks only to end up with nobody buying them, your best bet is to have a talk with the decision makers. Let them know that ever since you made the switch, sales have dropped. Most of the time, they’re going to appreciate that you tried making the building happy and encourage you to put regular snacks back in your machines.
If they insist you continue with strictly healthy snacks though, you’re better off severing ties with the location.
Not only is it going to hurt your bottom line, but sooner or later they’re probably going to replace you anyways.
We hope you found this post on Healthy Snacks informative!
It doesn’t follow the conventional advice you see all over Google, but we’re speaking from our own personal experience along with the experience of our peers in the vending machine business.
Eating Healthy is great, and so are Healthy Snacks. But a location that wants you to offer solely Healthy Snacks is nothing but trouble.
If you’re running a vending machine business, you better understand the needs of your location if you want to be successful. This is especially the case with snack machines.
Most people will still buy from a soda machine even if it doesn’t have anything they like if they’re thirsty enough. But when it comes to snacks, if you don’t have anything of interest, it will stay on the shelves until you have to swap it out.
In this article, we’re going to cover all the snacks you should be putting in your snack machines.
Chips are a classic vending machine snack that does well in any location. The profit margin typically won’t be as high as other snacks, but it makes up for this in volume. Here are some popular chip options to consider:
When selecting chip options for your snack machine, it's important to consider the preferences of your target audience. If you're placing your machine in a school or office setting, you may want to consider offering healthier options like baked chips or veggie chips. Additionally, be sure to include a variety of flavors to appeal to different tastes. If you’re not sure what your crowd is into though, always resort to the classics.
Overall, chips are a snack machine staple and a must stock.
Chocolates are another popular snack choice for vending machines. They sell well, and have higher profits than chips. Here are some of the most popular chocolate options that you can consider stocking in your vending machine:
Hershey's chocolate bars are a classic choice that many people love. They come in different sizes, although you’ll typically be putting the standard 1.55 oz bars in your machines. You can also choose from different flavors, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and cookies and cream. From our experience, the most popular bar is cookies and cream.
Statistically, Snickers bars are the most popular chocolate bar. Not having these in your snack machines is a major disservice to your business and your location. Make sure these are stocked regularly.
Kit Kat bars are another big hit. You’ll usually be stocking the standard 1.5 oz bar. Kit Kat Chunky does well in most locations as well. Kit Kat bars also come in different flavors, such as dark chocolate and white chocolate. These flavors can be hit or miss, so we recommend testing them out before you make them a default snack at your location.
After Snickers, M&M's are the second most popular chocolate. Peanut M&M’s typically do better than regular M&M’s. Another great thing about M&M’s is that you can stock them year-round without worrying about them melting or getting “the bloom”.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are another staple. These typically do very well, and you would have to be crazy not to include them. If your location has a lot of concerns surrounding peanut allergies though, make sure to check in with them before adding these to your machine.
When choosing which chocolates to stock in your vending machine, make sure to consider your target audience and their preferences. You can also rotate your selection periodically to keep things interesting and offer variety.
Candy might not be as popular as Chips or Chocolate, but can still do pretty well depending on the location. Here are some of the most popular candies:
When choosing candy for your vending machine, it is important to consider the preferences of your target audience. You may also want to consider offering a variety of options to cater to different tastes. Keep in mind that candy can be high in sugar and calories, so it is important to offer healthier options as well.
Gum is a great item to have in vending machines. It offers a quick and easy way to freshen your breath. The profit margins are significantly higher than Candy & Chocolate as well.
When choosing which gum to stock in your vending machine, it's important to keep in mind your target audience. If you're placing your vending machine in an office setting for example, mint flavored gum would usually be the best choice. If you’re putting your vending machine in the presence of a younger crowd, you might see success with adding fruit flavored gums as well.
Pastries are a great option for vending machines. Not only do they sell well, but the profit margins are solid as well. Best of all, because they’re more filling than a chocolate bar, there are people who will treat them like part of a meal.
Here are some of the most popular pastries to put in your machine:
When putting pastries in your vending machine, be sure to consider the best before date of each item. Pastries don’t have the shelf life of other snacks and you don’t want to risk having someone buy stale or expired pastries.
Healthy Snacks are becoming more of a popular thing every year. Some locations will ask you to include them, while other locations will have them as a requirement.
Healthy snacks provide their own set of unique challenges: they’re more expensive, they have shorter shelf lives, and most of the people that ask for them will never actually buy them. This doesn’t even account for the fact that most “healthy” snacks aren’t really healthy at all!
However, you should still put them in your vending machines whether or not the locations asked you to. Some people at every location really are trying to watch what they eat and the last thing you want is to lose sales because you don’t have anything that’s low-fat or sugar free.
Here are some Healthy Snack options you can consider putting in your machines:
In our professional opinion, Nuts are the best healthy snack to put in a machine. Not only do they sell well, but they’re also the most “Healthy” option. Almonds and peanuts usually do well with older crowds and health nuts (no pun intended).
These can do okay if you have the demand for them. Companies like Terra sell chips made from vegetables like Yam and Taro that tend to do well among people trying to watch what they eat. You’ll have to price them higher to get the same profit margin from regular chips though which might put off some people.
Protein bars do really well at vending locations that have a fitness crowd. Places like Rec Centres, Gyms, or Workplaces with an office nearby. If there’s any trace of a workout culture at your location, protein bars are a must have in your snack machines.
By offering a variety of healthy snack options, you can attract customers who are looking for a quick and convenient snack that won't derail their diet. Consider adding some of these healthy snack options to your vending machine to appeal to health-conscious customers.
Microwaveable items are perfect for vending machines that are located in places like offices or anywhere that has workers present at all hours of the day. Many of these items make for quick lunches, and it’s easy to have people at a location that buy them on a regular basis.
Some microwaveable items you can put in your snack machine include:
When it comes to microwaveable items you can add to your vending machine, Instant Noodles are a staple. They’re easy to stock and sellable at a good margin. The people who buy them will appreciate the fact that they’re available as well. You can choose from chicken, beef, shrimp, and vegetable flavors. Make sure the vegetable flavor is always available for the vegan/vegetarian crowd.
Microwaveable popcorn is another staple in snack machines. They’re easy to stock and have good margins as well. They’re particularly popular in office locations although some small retail breakrooms will enjoy them as well.
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be prepared in just a few minutes. You can choose from a variety of flavors, including traditional, white cheddar, and bacon. Mac and cheese is a great option for people who are looking for a quick and easy meal.
Rice bowls are a great option for people who are looking for a more substantial meal. You can choose from a variety of flavors, including teriyaki chicken, beef and broccoli, and vegetable fried rice. Rice bowls are easy to prepare, and they are a great option for people who are on the go.
In addition to the popular snacks mentioned earlier, there are a few non-snack items that you may want to consider including in your vending machine. These will mostly be dependent on the location, and in most cases you won’t ever be adding them.
Some miscellaneous items include:
Most of the time, Miscellaneous items are location specific and mainly added to meet the demands of the location. It shows the location that you are going above and beyond for them, and they will appreciate your services greatly.
We hope you found this guide useful!
Snack machines can be more complicated in terms of what you can provide for your customers, but as a result there are more ways for you to satisfy them.
If you own vending machines, feel free to check out our vending blog for more tips and advice on running a successful business.
If you own a building in Toronto, Ontario and would like to have top of the line vending services at your establishment, visit our website and contact us.
Till next time, good luck!
Starting a vending machine business can be very lucrative. However, it can also be very expensive if you don’t know your way around buying vending machines. Your purchases can literally make or break your company.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know before buying a vending machine. Whether you're new to vending or have some skin in the game, you should be able to make better decisions by the end of this guide.
If you're considering buying a vending machine, it's important to understand the basics of how they work. This can give you a foundation for separating good purchases from bad ones.
Vending machines work by using a combination of mechanical and electronic components to dispense product. When a customer inserts money or a payment card, the machine's internal computer system checks to see if the payment is valid. If it is, the customer can then select the item they want from the machine's inventory.
The machine then uses a system to move the selected item from its storage location to the dispensing area. This system can consist of motors, spirals, or even robot arms. Once the item is in the dispensing area, the customer can retrieve it by opening the appropriate door or slot.
There are many different types of vending machines available, each designed to dispense a specific type of product. Some common types include:
When buying a vending machine, there are several factors to consider, such as:
By understanding the basics of vending machines and considering the factors involved in buying one, you can make an informed decision and choose one that's right for your needs.
When it comes to buying vending machines, one of the first decisions you'll need to make is whether to buy new or used. Both options have their pros and cons, so it's important to consider your specific needs and budget before making a decision.
Buying a new vending machine has several advantages.
The biggest pro is the fact you’re getting a machine that’s in tip-top condition. Because it has no wear and tear, you can depend on it for a VERY long time before you have to service it.
New machines are also more compatible with new technology. Older machines need extra steps in order to install Bill Acceptors or Card Readers, but with new machines it’s often a plug-and-play process.
New machines also come with a warranty, so you can be at peace knowing that if any issues come up, they’ll be taken care of with ease.
New machines look nicer, too!
The biggest con with new vending machines is the fact that they can be VERY expensive. It can cost over $5000 USD to buy a new machine, and this doesn’t even factor in moving costs.
We don’t recommend new machines unless:
Used vending machines are much more affordable than New vending machines. Not just that, but they can be just as reliable and aesthetically pleasing.
However, because they’re used, they will generally need to be serviced more often.
The condition of a used machine can also range widely depending on the model and the seller.
There are two versions of used vending machines:
Overall, the decision between new and used vending machines will depend on your experience, your budget, and the needs of the account.
If you’re new to the business, or if you’re servicing a location with less than 150 people, we recommend Refurbished machines.
When buying a used vending machine, there are 3 main things you need to look for: the overall condition of the machine, the overall functionality of the machine, and the overall appearance of the machine.
First off, you want to make sure the vending machine actually works. We know it seems obvious, but you would be VERY surprised at how many people will pick up machines without even plugging them in.
Aside from seeing if it turns on, you also want to make sure that all the slots can dispense product. Test each slot one by one, and check multiple times if you have to.
Make sure all the keys and buttons work as well. This is important. If you don’t do this, you can end up buying a machine with a malfunctioning keypad. Having a vending machine that won’t let you choose a certain slot will not only hurt your sales, but it’ll also get the account looking to replace you.
Make sure the lights work. If they don’t, replacement bulbs are pretty cheap so this is not a big deal. But burnt light bulbs can trick customers into thinking your machine is out of service, so it is something you want to make a note to fix.
Finally, take a look at the overall picture of the machine. Does it look like you’ll be able to depend on it, or will you constantly need to service it? This is going to take experience and won’t be so easy to spot. But the better you get at being able to do this, the more money you’re going to save in the long run.
On top of checking to see if the machine is in working condition, you also need to check and see if the machine will be able to satisfy all of your customer’s needs.
You want to make sure that the machine is MDB. In today’s environment, this is very important. If the machine is not MDB, you will not be able to add a bill acceptor or card reader to the machine. A card reader alone will account for over 30% of your sales, so you want to make sure you can add one.
If you’re looking at a soda machine, you want to make sure it blows cold air. To check for this, first plug in the machine and let it run for about 15-20 minutes. Then, open it up and touch the inside walls of a slot. They should feel cold.
If the soda machine is not blowing cold air, you should pass on buying it unless you have a replacement compressor.
Aesthetics go a long way. The better your machine looks, the better the location you can put it in, and the better the chances of people buying from it.
You want to check for any and all scratches and dents. You want to check for any vandalism as well. A machine that looks like a stall in a public bathroom is gonna turn away people from using it.
A good thing about vending machines though is that even if they look banged up, most of the time they can be easily restored. With some lacquer paint, you can cover up most dents and scratches on the machine and have it looking brand new.
If you see any damage to the glass, avoid buying the machine unless you can replace it. You won’t be able to place it in a location otherwise.
Some machines will have what is known as a “front” on them. This is basically a cover on the machine that have graphics. These can make a machine look more exclusive and aesthetically pleasing, but it can also be harder to cover up damage and vandalism on them. So consider the location before you pull the trigger on a machine with one of these.
There are several things you need to consider before buying a machine to ensure that you get the right one for your needs. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
The location you’re buying the machines for is easily the most important factor to consider. Take note of the space available, the type of environment, and the number of people who will be potentially using the machine. Generally, the more upscale the place and the more foot traffic, the more it makes sense to invest in newer machines. However, 90% of the time you’re better off with refurbished machines.
If you decide to buy a used machine, make sure to test and inspect it thoroughly before making the purchase. Check for any signs of wear and tear, damage, or malfunctioning parts. You can also ask the seller for maintenance records and repair history to ensure that the machine is in good working condition.
Buying a vending machine can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. The price of a vending machine will vary depending on the type, size, brand, condition and features of the machine.
An acceptable amount to spend on a vending machine will depend on the earning potential of the location it’s going in. For example, if a location has roughly 50-60 people, a brand new $5000 machine would be a terrible investment.
However, keep in mind that while a cheaper machine may save you money upfront, it can also require more maintenance and repairs in the long run.
The brand of the vending machine can also be an important factor to consider. Some brands are known for their quality and reliability, while others may have a reputation for frequent breakdowns.
For a list of reputable snack machine brands, click here.
For a list of reputable soda machine brands, click here.
If you’re wondering where to buy vending machines, look no further . In this section, we will explore some of the most common places to buy vending machines.
You can buy vending machines from online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. They offer a wide range of vending machines from various manufacturers. These marketplaces provide a convenient way to browse and compare different models and prices. You can also read reviews from other buyers to help you make an informed decision.
However, we don’t recommend buying machines online.
First, you’ll have to pay freight shipping charges which can be very expensive. In some cases, they can cost as much as the machine itself!
Second, there’s a lot of risk involved with buying vending machines online this way. There’s no guarantee that the seller is giving you a proper functioning machine. And by the time you find out for yourself, it’ll be too late.
If you’re gonna buy vending machines online, consult online marketplaces where you can arrange to meet with private sellers. Even though the trust factor isn’t much higher here, at least you can see the machine for yourself and make more educated choices.
Buying vending machines directly from a manufacturer can be a good option if you’re looking for a brand new machine. Many manufacturers have their own websites where you can browse their product catalog and place an order.
If you have the budget for a new machine and you have a location that warrants brand new equipment, this is usually the way to go.
This is usually your best choice.
Warehouses, Dealers, and distributors will have entire catalogs full of different vending machines you can look at and choose from to buy. Most of the time, they’ll also provide installation, moving, and maintenance services. On top of everything, they even provide warranties, so if your machine breaks down for whatever reason, you’ll always be covered.
You can find local dealers online, either through directories, Google, or online marketplaces. Be sure to compare prices and features from different dealers before making a decision.
In summary, there are several options available to you when buying vending machines. Online marketplaces, manufacturers, and local dealers all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Consider your needs and budget when deciding where to buy your vending machine.
This concludes the end of this definitive guide on buying vending machines.
To summarize:
We hope you found this article helpful.
Thank you for reading!
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this article, tell us:
What part of buying a vending machine do you find most challenging?
If you’re a vending machine business owner, you better get familiar with Soda machines (or Pop machines depending on where you’re from!). They’re the type of vending machine you’ll be dealing with the most. Sometimes, you’ll even encounter accounts that want ONLY soda machines in their establishment and nothing else.
While not necessarily as complicated as snack machines, there are still a number of factors to consider. From the types of drinks to the style of dispensing, there’s a machine for every location and it’s best to know which is most appropriate. Knowing your options will help you make the best choice for your locations while also saving you the most money over the long run.
In this article, we’ll cover soda machines in depth while also talking about the best brands to go for when looking to buy a soda machine for your business.
Soda vending machines work by dispensing carbonated drinks to customers at the push of a button. The machines can store and chill a variety of carbonated beverages, such as soda, energy drinks, and flavored water. When a customer inserts money into the machine and selects a drink, the machine dispenses the appropriate amount of the selected beverage into a cup or bottle.
Soda vending machines use a refrigeration system to keep the drinks cold. The refrigeration system consists of a compressor, condenser, and evaporator. The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, which then flows through the condenser and evaporator, cooling the air inside the machine.
There are generally two types of soda machines:
Soda vending machines consist of several components that work together to dispense drinks to customers. Because every brand and machine style have varying parts to them from motors to shims to robot parts, we can’t name every one of them.
However, here are some of the key components you’ll find in every soda vending machine:
Even though investing in a soda vending machine is inevitable when you’re doing full-line vending, you may be wondering what benefits it can offer. Here are a few reasons why using soda vending machines can be advantageous:
One of the primary benefits of using soda vending machines is convenience. With a soda vending machine, you can provide your customers or employees with quick and easy access to their favorite beverages without them having to leave the premises. This can be especially beneficial in areas where there are no nearby stores and even when there are, unless there’s a major price discrepancy, people will still come to your machine instead.
Another advantage of using soda vending machines is the variety of drinks you can offer to customers. With a soda vending machine, you can offer a wide selection of beverages, including soda, juice, energy drinks, and more. This variety can help to satisfy the diverse tastes of your customers or employees and increase the chances of making a sale.
Soda machines can be extremely durable in comparison to their snack machine counterparts. They can dispense hundreds and sometimes even thousands of drinks while needing little maintenance besides cleaning. The only problem is that when a major repair IS needed, it’ll often be something that puts the whole machine out of service.
Soda machines can generate a lot of revenue for your business. Even if people don’t want snacks, they will want drinks sooner or later. As a result, soda machines tend to generate more sales than snack machines. The profit margin on drinks is also considerably higher than the profit margin on most snacks.
Overall, using soda vending machines can be a great way to provide convenient and varied beverage options to your customers or employees while also generating additional revenue for your business.
When choosing a soda vending machine, there are several factors to consider. Here are some of the most important ones:
The capacity of a vending machine refers to how many cans or bottles it can hold at once. If you're placing the machine in a high-traffic area, you'll want to choose a machine with a larger capacity so you don't have to restock it as often. On the other hand, if you're placing the machine in a smaller space, a smaller capacity machine may be more appropriate.
Energy efficiency is an important consideration when choosing a vending machine. A more energy-efficient machine will save you money on your electricity bill over time. Look for machines with Energy Star certification, which means they meet energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Whether you’re paying for the electricity or the account is, an efficient machine is a major asset.
Whether or not to use a glassfront style soda machine is going to depend on the type of location you’re placing it in. Generally, glassfronts are used in high end locations where aesthetics play a role. Hospitals, Luxury Condominiums, Hotels, Office buildings, Malls, and schools will often work best with glassfronts. On the other hand, truck stops, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and senior homes usually work best with the conventional, stack style soda machines.
Maintenance and repair are important considerations when choosing a drink vending machine. Look for machines that are not only easy to repair, but have interchangeable parts. This will save you time and money in the long run.
When it comes to soda machine brands, there are a lot on the market to choose from. However, there are 3 brands that the industry considers to be staples when it comes to soda machines. Those 3 brands are Vendo, Dixie Narco, and Royal Vendors.
Dixie Narco has a reputation for being “the Cadillac of vending machines”, and it’s a well deserved title. Founded in 1967, their machines are the workhorses of the vending world, the ones that stand strong even when faced with the chaos of high-traffic locations.
In fact, their machines are so durable that you can still find many of their older models in various locations even though the company was acquired by Crane back in 2006.
Dixie Narco’s stack style vending machines are a staple in the industry, but they’re not stuck in the past. They also went on to embrace modernity by releasing Glassfront versions of their soda machines with the same level of reliability.
Despite being considered a retired company, Dixie Narco is still Lucky Vending’s preferred brand for drink machines. With the level of reliability and affordability they provide, you can never go wrong with them.
Vendo is another brand that’s at the tip of the spear when it comes to drink machines. With roots tracing back to the 1930s, these folks have been shaping the vending game for generations.
Vendo isn't just about history, though – they're all about blending tradition with innovation. From classic soda dispensers to cutting-edge automated wonders that cater to modern needs, Vendo's got it figured out.
As Dixie Narco’s signature models continue to go out of service for good, we find ourselves looking more and more into Vendo machines.
Between user-friendliness and durability, if you're looking for a brand that's steeped in history and isn't afraid to embrace the future, Vendo's your go-to choice.
Royal Vendors is another top-of-the-line brand when it comes to drink machines. With a reputation that spans beyond drink dispensing, they've made their mark with sleek designs that could easily double as modern art pieces.
But don't let the aesthetics fool you – Royal Vendors backs up their style with substance. They've got the tech game down, from touchscreens to cashless payments, all while being environmentally conscious. What truly stands out is their commitment to creating a vibe that's as sophisticated as it is tech-savvy.
Royal’s drink machines have personally helped us secure a big account. We got called to look at the state of the businesses vending situation at the time and the first thing we noticed was that they were using off-brand drink machines that barely worked and looked rough. We showed them one of the drink machines we had in stock at the time, a shiny 650 that would have been perfect for the big manufacturing plant. They were sold. Next thing we know we’re moving in and replacing the old vendor for a 500 person building!
If you're looking to make a statement in your vending area, Royal Vendors is the brand that seamlessly fuses elegance with innovation.
In summary:
We hope you found this guide helpful!
If you’re in Toronto or the surrounding area and would like vending machine services for your facility, click here to contact us.
If you’re in the vending machine business, you better get familiar with snack machines. Next to Drink Machines, they’ll be the vending machine type you’ll be getting involved with the most.
While Pop machines can have a lot of factors to consider, Snack Machines are even more complicated. They come in a bigger variety of sizes and have more parts to them.
In this article, we will explore the top snack machine brands based on our personal experience.
When it comes to choosing the best snack machine brand, it's important to have a good understanding of snack machines and how they work.
Snack machines typically have a number of trays, each containing a number of compartments where different products ranging from chips to small pastries can be stored.
These compartments have a metal coil in the middle (known as a ‘spiral’) that rotates, dispensing the purchased product. Newer machines also have sensors that detect when a product has dispensed but got stuck.
When it comes to choosing a snack machine brand, there are a number of things to keep in mind. These are what we consider to be the most important factors to consider:
You want a machine you can depend on. A reliable snack machine will be able to dispense products consistently without frequently running into issues.
Some snack machines can’t dispense products too many times without either the product getting stuck or a technical issue on the machine arising, which can cost you money.
You want a machine that can tolerate frequent usage. Depending on the amount of foot traffic, vending machines can be subject to a lot of wear and tear.
A durable machine should be able to withstand dispensing product as much as hundreds of times per week without breaking down.
This is another important consideration. If something on your machine breaks down, you want to be able to easily replace it with something similar without having to do something as expensive as replacing the entire machine. Look for brands that offer interchangeable parts to make maintenance easier and more cost-effective.
It's important to choose a brand that offers readily available replacement parts. This will ensure you can quickly and easily get your machine up and running again if it breaks down and you can’t substitute the parts with anything from a similar model.
Some brands will have everything from replacement motherboards to keypads readily available for purchase from them and this is what you want.
If the brand is good enough, you can even find the parts for cheap on sites like Craigslist or Kijiji (if you're Canadian). This is extremely convenient and can save you a lot of money.
In general, you want to look for snack machines from brands with a lot of history in the vending industry.
That doesn’t mean that newer companies can’t be good, but the companies that have been around for decades understand the wants & needs of vending better and it reflects in their vending machines.
In general, we recommend using snack machines from companies based in North America. They’ve been around the longest, and understand the needs of vending machine businesses best.
In addition, since they’re based in North America, parts are easily attainable and maintenance problems are more easily understood and solved.
When it comes to snack machine brands, AMS is a solid choice. Established in 1997 by the late Roy Steeley, AMS has become popular among vending machine business owners due to its range of reliable and durable snack machines.
One of AMS's most popular vending machines is the Classic Snack, which was first presented in 1997 and remains a favorite among customers to this day due to its simplicity, dependability, and rugged construction.
AMS vending machines are built with state-of-the-art materials and technology, making them a reliable choice for vending machine operators.
Overall, AMS is a trusted brand in the vending machine industry, well-known for reliability and durability. If you're in the market for a snack machine, AMS should be a brand to consider.
When it comes to snack machines, Automatic Products (or AP for short) is another well-known and trusted brand. They have been in the industry for over 50 years and have a reputation for producing high-quality machines that are reliable and easy to use.
One of their most popular snack machine models is the Automatic Products Model 111 Snack Machine. This machine is compact and can fit in a variety of locations, making it perfect for offices and small breakrooms. It also has a simple design that makes it easy to stock and maintain.
Another popular model is the Automatic Products 123 (MDB Board) Snack Machine. This machine is a bit larger than the Model 111, but still has all the main features that make the 111 a winner.
Overall, Automatic Products is a reliable brand that produces high-quality snack machines. Their snack machines are easy to use and maintain, making them a great choice.
When it comes to snack machines, CPI is one of the top brands in the market. More famously known as Crane, they have been producing top of the line snack machines for decades.
At Lucky Vending, they are our personal snack machine brand of choice.
One of the most popular snack machines from Crane National Vendors is the Crane National Vendors 167. It’s a super durable, super reliable, 5 column snack machine making it a great option for accounts with high foot traffic.
Overall, Crane is one of the best snack machine brands in the industry and you cannot go wrong by choosing them.
When it comes to snack vending machines, USI (U-Select-It) is another one of the best brands to consider. Owned by Wittern, the company has over 90 years of experience in the vending industry and it shows in the excellence of their products.
USI offers a wide range of great snack machine models to choose from. From ambient snack vending machines like the Mercato 3000 to full-featured vending machines like the Evoke Snack 5, there is a USI vending machine to suit every business need.
A great feature of USI vending machines is their reliability. USI is known for producing high-quality vending machines that are built to last. This means business owners can count on their USI vending machine to operate smoothly and consistently, minimizing downtime and maximizing profits.
One of the best things about USI snack machines is their affordability. Despite being a top-tier brand, USI snack machines are some of the most affordable on the market. This makes them an excellent choice for small business owners or those just starting in the vending machine industry.
Overall, USI (U-Select-It) is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable, affordable, and durable snack machine. If you’re just starting out, they’re probably the best snack machine brand to choose from due to the affordability while also being a top of the line product.
When choosing a snack machine, there a lot of factors to consider including reliability, durability, interchangeable parts, and availability of spare parts
Go for North American brands with a lot of experience in the vending industry
The best vending machine brands for snack machines are AMS, Automatic Products, Crane, and USI
If you’re new to the vending machine business, the best brand to choose when starting out is usually going to be USI
We hope you found this article useful in choosing a proper snack machine for your business!
Snack Machines are just as important as drink machines, so it’s important to know which brands are the best investment.
If you're a business in Toronto or the surrounding areas looking to have vending machines placed in your facility, click here to contact us and we'll be in touch.