Vending is trading using automated systems. The client pays for and receives a product or service thanks to technical devices without the participation of a seller or specialist.
Vending machines include coffee and snack machines, automatic massage chairs and baby rocking chairs, which are often installed in shopping centers, and machines for printing photographs, taking photographs, photocopies, etc.
Such devices are installed where many people gather. For example, at a doctor’s office, in the departure area of airplanes, in front of movie theaters. According to the National Association of Automated Vending (NAAT), in March 2021 there were 178 thousand vending machines in Russia.
Where to start a vending business
1
Select machine type
Decide what you will sell, this will help determine the type of equipment. Mechanical mini-devices and electronic machines that dispense products individually, most often have a universal design and are suitable for selling various goods from food to eye lenses.
Vending machines for selling drinks on tap are designed differently; they need containers for ingredients. Depending on the location, you may need filters for tap water, if you have access to it, or canisters.
What cannot be sold through vending machines:
- tobacco products;
- medicines;
- alcohol;
- pyrotechnics.
2
Buy or rent devices
A small vending machine for snacks will cost about 70 thousand rubles. If you are not sure that the vending business is right for you, you can rent a machine. The monthly payment will be 6–12% of the cost of the machine. You can also buy a used one - it will cost 1.5–2 times cheaper.
Renting gives you more freedom in decision-making: it’s easier to repurpose or close your business.
3
Find suppliers
Think about who and at what price you are willing to buy filling and consumables for vending machines (for example, coffee cups). Often these categories of goods are in the assortment of companies that sell or rent vending machines.
4
Select payment acceptance system
There are three types:
- coin acceptor;
- banknote acceptor;
- cashless payment terminal.
You don't need to install all three. Choose one or two that potential buyers will like. For example, in a chewing gum machine near a school it is enough to install a coin acceptor, and in a sandwich machine in a business center - a terminal for payment by cards or a banknote acceptor.
5
Place instructions and prices on each device
Also indicate the operator’s current contacts: individual entrepreneur details or legal entity name, address and telephone number so that the buyer can contact you and complain about the malfunction of the device.
Vending machines - types and advantages
Due to the fast pace of life in the modern world, you can increasingly come across coffee vending machines. They can be found in office and business centers, educational institutions, train stations and airports, as well as in other crowded places. And where there is increased demand, there is a place to make money and run a vending business.
Vending is a special device that can sell goods and perform certain tasks without the participation of a seller or other employees. The first vending machine was opened back in 1946. And it was exactly a coffee machine. The main goal of such machines is to simplify human life as much as possible. This is especially true for people who do not have time to stand in lines or look for cafes and shops.
The main advantages of this business include:
- vending machines can be placed anywhere: in office buildings, shopping and entertainment complexes, universities, etc.;
- you can trade around the clock (if the premises where the machine is located are open around the clock);
- low rent for a retail outlet;
- for trading of this kind there is no need to hire personnel (except for technicians who repair the machine, as well as special sales agents who refuel the machine);
- minimal advertising costs.
The operating principle of the device is very simple. First, the buyer deposits money, then selects the desired type of coffee or tea. The drink is usually selected by pressing a button on the machine body, next to the description and price of the drink. There is a separate button for selecting each drink. After this, the machine starts cooking.
Types of commercial coffee machines.
At the first stage, you need to decide what type of coffee machine you need. Coffee machines are available with coffee beans, instant freeze-dried coffee, and coffee capsules. Depending on the type of machine, its properties, price and quality of the prepared drink depend.
Coffee machines and bean coffee. Due to the rapidly growing trend of drinking bean coffee, coffee vending machines using bean coffee are becoming more and more popular in Ukraine every day. They often act as a “universal device” that can prepare not only drinks using coffee beans, but also using soluble fillers - instant freeze-dried coffee or cappuccino (a separate bulk ingredient).
Coffee machines that use grain coffee occupy the middle and expensive segment. The majority of coffee vending in Ukraine is made up of Saeco brand coffee machines. Today, the Italian brand Saeco and its wide range of models occupies a leading position in terms of price-quality ratio and is actively used in the development of the network of both beginners and advanced vendors.
Specialized materials and ingredients for vending machines.
By using consumable components specifically designed for vending machines, you prevent failures and malfunctions that may occur during the preparation of drinks. For example, all ingredients are created using a special technology, which promotes proper flowability and solubility. This means that the drinks in your device are always the same and will not differ in taste in each cup.
Where to put the machines
Focus on:
- patency of the point;
- level of competition. We are talking not only about other machines, but about all retail outlets that sell similar products;
- rental rate;
- requirements of the institution whose territory you are entering. For example, in schools you can install vending machines only with the permission of the administration and sell strictly certain products, in particular, you cannot sell chips and chocolates;
- safety. Consider the risk of vandalism;
- proximity to the target audience. A soda machine is unlikely to be popular in the hallway of a fitness club;
- access to electricity and water.
How to open a vending business
Licenses for a vending business are not needed; it is enough to formalize the activity legally. Beginning entrepreneurs with a network of several machines usually choose individual entrepreneur status. If you are running a business with a partner, planning to create a network in different cities, or specializing in seasonal goods, open an LLC.
The owner of a vending business can also become self-employed. But there is a limitation: you cannot resell goods. You can either provide services (for example, give a massage or install a baby rocking chair), or sell your own products.
Does vending need an online cash register?
Vending business owners should use online cash registers. But there are several features:
- Until July 1, 2021, individual entrepreneurs without employees who sell goods of their own production were exempted from installing online cash registers;
- Vending business owners who sell shoe covers or drinking water, milk and other non-alcoholic drinks on tap can work indefinitely without a cash register;
- A cash register is not needed when trading through mechanical machines, in which you can only pay with coins;
- one cloud online cash register can be used when working with several machines.
From February 1, 2021, vending machines may not print a paper receipt or send an electronic one if the client did not leave a phone number or email before purchasing. It is enough to install a display on the device, on which a QR code will appear after each purchase. The client counts it using a smartphone camera and receives a receipt electronically.
An exception is devices with excisable or technically complex products, as well as with goods subject to labeling. Such machines should always issue a receipt.
Principle of operation
Modern coffee machines are equipped with a display and programming system. This greatly facilitates the work and helps protect the machine from errors in operation, preventing breakdowns .
Every automatic coffee machine has a brewing mechanism. The coffee is directly prepared in it. First into the device
coffee arrives, which takes the form of a so-called tablet. Water passes through it under pressure. Afterwards, the spent coffee tablet is sent to a special container.
The devices are equipped with a boiler for heating water. This is necessary not only for brewing coffee directly, but also for generating the steam needed to froth the milk if you are making a cappuccino or latte. Using the special coffee dosage setting function, you can select the strength of the drink. Want a truly invigorating coffee? Choose a larger dose and the water will flow through the coffee tablet more slowly, saturating the drink.
By adjusting the grinding of coffee beans, you can control the concentration of flavoring substances. Coarse grinding is used to make Americano, while fine grinding of coffee beans is sufficient for espresso. The main parts of a traditional coffee machine can be depicted as the following list:
- boiler for heating water;
- pump for pumping water under pressure;
- dispensing group through which water flows to the filter holder;
- directly filter holder for coffee tablet;
- steam tap for frothing milk with hot steam;
- hot water tap to dilute the drink.
Additional functions and devices include:
- built-in coffee grinder;
- hopper for coffee beans;
- automatic cappuccino maker that allows you to froth milk for cappuccino;
- container for waste.
How to service the machine
The frequency of machine maintenance depends on the type of machine. For example, a vending machine with snacks or coffee needs to be serviced once a day: refilled, removed expired food and garbage, washed trays and bins for ingredients. Vending machines with non-food products can be serviced less frequently, several times a week. But, regardless of what is sold in the vending machine, the service personnel must have medical records.
At the end of each day, you are required to fill out a cash receipt order, which reflects the amount of revenue received at the cash desk. But in fact, the money can remain in the machine: there are no revenue limits for the machines, so daily collection is not needed.
You choose the frequency and methods of collection yourself. You can contact the bank or the company that services the machines. Or use the self-collection service: pick up cash from a vending machine and deposit it through an ATM directly into your current account.
How to choose quality equipment
When choosing a coffee machine, you should consider:
- location of installation of the device;
- operating principle of the device;
- power;
- performance;
- specifications;
- the number of cups that can be loaded into the machine;
- type of consumables;
- service life;
- manufacturer;
- warranty period.
Refrigerated salad bars are useful for all high-end restaurants.
Selling shawarma at a kiosk is an effective start to a business. How to choose the main equipment for this task - a grill - read here.
It's very easy to start selling sushi! Interesting information for you at the link.
