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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.

Vending Machine Benefits In The Workplace

A company that keeps its employees happy is more productive overall and can more effectively meet the demands of the marketplace.

While benefits and other significant perks are a main focus for most businesses, smaller areas, such as an employee break room that offers nutritious foods, can also be perceived as important.

Employees usually need a nice, convenient working environment in order to concentrate on work, and spend less energy on decisions that support their general well-being. This is the reason that parking and other basic needs are usually important features of a positive work culture.

In the case of an employee break room, having a positive environment that offers nice decor, ample seating, and a comfortable space for either sitting alone or gathering with a colleague or two over a beverage or a quick meal, is important.

A break between work that recharges energy, gives an employee social support and offers a source of pride is a great gift for your workforce that can establish trust, reduce employee sick days and turnover, and increase your bottom line.

Vending Machine

A vending machine in a company break room is a primary source for snacks and even meals for many employees. While foods are also often purchased elsewhere, the convenience of on-site vending snacks and meal-friendly foods frequently becomes a staple for those working hard and requiring nutritious support to bring them to the next meal. In some cases, selections in a vending machine can actually offer meal replacements, which is a great time save that need to remain on the company grounds between meals.

Your employees may be eagerly anticipating the next vending machine selections that you choose.

Selecting snacks that provide nutrition, such as yogurt, cheese, pita chips, and sugar-free or low-sugar beverages, such as Vitamin Water, can support a healthier culture and extend productivity. If you instead stock a vending machine with mostly sugary snacks and offer fewer healthy options, it could affect the attention span of employees, and even their health.

A vending machine is traditionally considered a source of junk food, but the image and available food options is changing. Stocking an employee break room drink vending machines with tea, water and seltzer water, and a snack vending machine with fruit, and savory healthy foods will help show that the company is supporting their well-being and is aware of the leading health trends.

Get Ready For The Vending Business

Vending machines have proven to be a popular venture project for many people out in the market. This is because the business itself is low cost and need minimal maintenance. If you are thinking about starting a vending business, think about these three questions to aid in your decision making.

Choosing the Right Vending Operator

Different vending machine operators have different rules. Some work as a franchise while other provide an easy business opportunity. The most important thing is to do your research and find out what is the best fit for your business ideals and perhaps your personality as well. Although you will be your own boss, how successful the vending operator is can also determine your success.

Investing in Supplies

For a vending business, your food supplies are the most crucial. Vending owners need to decide if they want to provide healthy snacks, delicious snacks, entrees, drinks or even the simple gumballs. There are a large range of products you can be selling. Each of them can further produce different results in different locations, depending on the market.

Identifying Potential Locations

Everyone wants to place their machines in high traffic locations. However, this can also be highly competitive. We suggest identifying a few target markets and study them. Find out where these people usually head to. Understand the times they usually head out to purchase food and drinks. When you conduct further primary research, this will help you identify the best locations.

Being your own boss can be challenging with lots of things to think through. However, the vending machine business can free up large amount of your time to help you lead a life you always wanted.

Suggested Shelf Life for Popular Vending Items

expiration-dateVendors need to pay attention to expiration dates of products that are sold.  The following are suggested shelf life for the most popular vending items.  You should always follow expiration or sell-by dates printed on the products that you purchase.  If you have a vending question, ask us about it here!

 

 

 

Chocolate Candy 9-12 Months
Sugary Candy (ie: runts, Mike & Ikes, Skittles, Hot Tomales) 18 Months
Gumballs 18 Months
Licorice 6-9 Months
Nuts 6-10 Months
Chips 2-3 Months
Pop Tarts 5-7 Months
Granola Bars 6-8 Months
Bottled Diet or Non-Diet Soda 3-4 Months
Canned Diet Soda Soda 3-4 Months
Canned Non-Diet Soda 9-12 Months
Gatorade or other Sugar Sugary Juice Drinks 9-12 Months
Bottled Water 10 Years

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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