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How do YOU start a Healthy Vending Business?

If you’re looking to get on board with the healthy vending revolution that’s taken America by storm, you’ll need the right vending machine, appropriate product, and the best locations, without breaking the bank! We’re here to tell you exactly how you can do this without being locked into a franchise such as Human Healthy Vending.

Whether you’re vending traditional snacks, drinks, healthy snacks, or a combination, you’ll need a vending machine that is appropriate for your product and eye-catching to draw in customers. Many healthy vending franchises say they’re giving you a great deal when they offer vending operators start-up packages that include the machine, product, locations, tutorials, etc. for exorbitant prices. Such franchises include Human Healthy Vending, Healthy You, Fresh Healthy Vending, Naturals 2 Go, and others. Don’t be fooled! You can buy a vending machine new or used with a warranty for less than half of the cost that the healthy vending franchises charge! When buying a machine, keep in mind that a Healthy Wrap or some other healthy design/decal will identify your vending machine as a healthy option for customers and attract more sales.

Many healthy vending operators who are just getting into the business are under the impression that they have to special-order product or purchase online to offer their customers the healthier options they’re looking for. Many of the franchises like HUMAN Healthy Vending and Fresh Healthy Vending are spreading these lies but it simply is not true! healthy-vending-expensiveYou can find most healthy vending products locally. Check out our blog post on healthy product ideas. Buying in bulk from places like Sam’s Club or Costco can save you hundreds when re-stocking your machine and you can then pass those savings on to your customers. Additionally it is more convenient to be able to buy them on demand as you are serving your route instead of waiting days for the product to arrive.

Once you have the perfect healthy vending machine with all the best products stocked in it, you need to find the most profitable locations for your machines. Check out the DVS Blog for tips on finding and securing some of the best locations; remember that you don’t have to hire a locator or offer high commissions to get your machine in the hottest spots. You can usually sell a prospective customer on your machine, product, and services alone, without the need to offer a commission.   However, if you don’t have time to locate the machines yourself, there are many great companies out there who can help you find good locations for around $400- 500. Check out our resources page for more information.

Lastly you will need the proper licensing from your state, county and city where you are doing business. Don’t get overwhelmed by the bureaucracy though. With a simple google search you should be able to find out what forms need to be filed and licenses obtained in your local area. The vending business is one of the easiest small businesses to get into and the Return on Investment (ROI) is typically less than a year if you do it right by buying an affordable machine and securing good locations.  Give us a call as we are here to help you do just that.  If you have additional tips and feedback please share them with us.

New USDA School Regulations

And How It Affects Your Vending Machine… 

In an effort to reduce the percentage of childhood obesity in the United States, the federal government has elected to alter the rules and regulations put forth by the US Department of Agriculture for snack and drink vending machines. These guidelines are being put into place in order to safeguard the health and well-being of future generations. For most people, this revolution won’t change anything. However, aside from nutrition coordinators and schoolchildren, there is a small minority who will certainly feel the impact of new procedures.

Vending machines are in the halls of schools all over the country. Behind those machines are vending machine proprietors and business owners whose livelihood depends on what products are in their machines, and the demand from consumers to purchase those products. Knowing the latest nutritional information and restrictions is essential for these entrepreneurs to succeed in their business and, with that in mind, here is a list of the newest facts and regulations issued by the USDA:

All Foods

Must be “whole grain-rich” products; or have a fruit, vegetable, dairy, or protein as their first ingredient; be a combination food that contains at least 1/4 cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or contain 10 percent of the daily value of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber.)

Limits Per Serving

Calories: Snack: 200; Entrée: 350
Sodium: Snack: Less than 230 mg.; Entrée: 480 mg.
Fat: Snack: 35% of calories; Entrée: Less than 10% of calories; Trans fat: zero grams
Sugar: 35% of weight from total sugars in foods

NOTE: Beginning July 1, 2016, foods may not qualify using the 10% daily-value criteria, and snack items must contain no more than 200 mg. sodium per item.

Beverages

Juice: 100% fruit juice or vegetable juice with no added sweeteners
Milk: Unflavored, low-fat, or flavored low-fat milk; milk alternatives are allowed.
Water: No restrictions on plain water (with or without carbonation)

So What’s In and What’s Out?
Here are a few examples…

 

What’s In

What’s Out
Light Popcorn Chocolate Sandwich Cookie
Granola Bar Chocolate Bar
Flavored Water Soda Pop
Baked Potato Chips Candy
Trail Mix Snack Cakes
Dried Fruits Cookies
Fruit Cups Pretzels
Yogurt Ice Cream
Diet Sodas High Calorie Sodas
Diet Sports Drinks High Calorie Sports Drinks

When determining what merchandise to stock in a machine, keep a few key things in mind; under the new rules, most food sold in school will now be subject to fat, calorie, sugar and sodium limits. Snack foods will have to be less than 200 calories and have some nutritional value instead of being mostly empty calories. By respecting these new directives, a vendor is choosing to be a part of the cause and is helping reduce the consequences of childhood obesity, along with ensuring a secure, long-standing enterprise for future years to come.

To learn more about healthy vending options, visit Piranhavending.com we are always striving to offer the best service and satisfaction to our customers.

Summer Heat Makes Your Vending Machine Work Harder

compressor systemJust like the air conditioning to your house, warmer summer temperatures makes a vending machine work harder to keep cool.  You can do a few simple things to make sure that it’s going to “keep it cool” in the hot summer months.

  • Make sure that your vending machine is located in a cool, dry place.  This will prevent the vending machine from constantly turning on and trying to cool when it’s surrounding temperatures are getting higher and higher.  Moving your vending machine to a room where it has ambient temperatures and less humidity will safe the compressor.  Also, avoid direct sunlight!

 

  • Check the seal of your vending machine.  When the vending machine door is closed and ready for use, check the seal of the door to make sure that it is shut tightly and no air is circulating into the machine.  Try not to open the vending machine for long periods of time while refilling products to allow too much humidity to the inside compartments.

 

  • You can check the temperature control on your vending machine.  Ideally, they should be set between 36-42 degrees Fahrenheit.  Most vending machines will be factory set to the optimal temperature so you shouldn’t have to mess with it.  You should never change the temperature of your vending machine unless you call the manufacture and get detailed information on how to do so.

 

New Coca-Cola Bottle Disappears After You Drink It!

Coca-Cola has a way to keep a Coke chilled the entire time you drink it….then disappears without any waste after you are done!

The new Coca-Cola is available and bottled completely in ice!  They have the shape of the original glass Coke bottles…..only it’s made out of ice.  There is a red rubber band that accompanies the drink so you can hold the bottle without getting frozen fingers; and it doubles as a bracelet once you are done with the beverage and the bottle has melted away!  This is such a great summer concept! Imagine taking these Cokes with you on the beach all day and staying cool with these drinks: you will not accumulate any waste when you leave. The bottles will just melt away in the sun!

Unfortunately, these ice bottled Cokes are only currently available in Columbia.  And we’re not sure if there’s distribution and storage problems with these ice bottles.  But check out this video for this innovative marketing product from Coke!

 

Alternative Beverage to Soda

Read this short article about an alternative beverage to soda.  Many of us are looking for beverages with health benefits instead of items filled with sugar or caffeine.

Contact Us

Piranha, LLC
50601 Central Industrial Drive
Shelby Township, Michigan 48315, USA

Email: piranhamfg@gmail.com

Phone: 800-764-8245 * 586-997-1212

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