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Vending In Schools   AN INTERVIEW WITH LARRY TOWNER   Larry Towner Vending Guru Vending in Schools is an up and coming Vending Opportunity   In this episode of the Vending Business Show, we interview Larry Towner, a successful vending operator, and vending business consultant. He shares valuable tips about  Vending in Schools, . Episode Transcript:     Tom Shivers Vending in Schools    I’m Tom with the Vending Business Show, and today, we’re here with Larry Towner, of course, who is a vending business consultant with Service Group International. We’ve got a interesting topic today, which is kind of unique for this particular year, about  Vending in Schools so tell us what we’re going to talk about today, Larry. Larry Towner: Well, today we’re going to talk about everybody favorite topic, that’s vending in schools. We all know that healthy vending in schools  is coming, whether we want to believe it or not, there is now legislation. It’s early July here, and we are … Well, we originally were talking about impending events in our last video, and so we were discussing this concept, Tom and I were, and we decided we needed to do some impending events that’ll affect you right now that you can take out and use today, and that will be able to be used year after year and month after month, for that matter. We came up with this concept of doing this, the healthy vending in schools, due to the recent legislation put into place by the Obama administration, saying that healthy vendors, there’s going to be certain healthy vending aspects that need to be done in school. The reason that we’re presenting it at this time is we know in the future that healthy vending is going to be an increasing part of our product mix as we go forward through time. If we don’t get it legislated into our business, we’re going to end up … our customers are going to end up demanding it. Whether they really will eat it or not is another story, but they will demand it eventually, so you need to be preparing for that concept of healthy vending, and so we decided we would talk about … we would kind of wrap the school vending together with the healthy vending, and make it Healthy Vending in Schools because they really go hand in hand. That was one of the things that came out in our impending events. We know this is going to happen. Well, right now, you have to do it if you’re going to do vending in schools, and you know it’s going to be an increasing amount of our business as time goes on. So, some of the challenge that we think are showing up in healthy vending really has a lot to do with product selection. It’s been difficult to identify the products that meet these requirements that the government has put down upon us, and so what we found is … I sort of had an idea that this might happen because we didn’t see a whole lot of push back from the various big companies like Frito Lay or Coca-Cola or Pepsi, and so what happened is, is they had products basically ready to go. They just didn’t launch them until this healthy vending initiative got passed through the legislation. We wanted to give you a couple of resources, because we’re here about … At A&M Equipment Sales, and when we do these things, we want to give you the resources that you can go out and do the kind of work that you need to do. I’m going to take the screen that I have here and I’m just going to show you all some screen shots that we’ve taken off the internet. They give you a couple of resources that are available to you out there, as far as for healthy vending resources. One of them is a website called HealthierGeneration.org. Actually, if you go to their home page, which I’ll scoot back to their home page, and I’ll show you how to kind of run through this program if I can find their home page. Well, I had it, anyway. Maybe it’s here. But they offer up a couple of products, or a couple of services, I want to say, that are really, really good services. I’m going to type in the HealthierGenerations.org. There it is right there. Let’s pull that up. Yeah, this is the home page for the website, and what we wanted to do was kind of walk you through which screens, as it were, are really the important ones. We go to here to Eat to Live Healthier, and we click on Eat Healthier. In this Eat Healthier screen, as you can see, there’s a lot of information about making your diet better, but the things that really matter to us in the vending business are these two right here. There’s product calculator and product navigator. The product calculator, if you click on that, will take you to this screen right here, and this screen is all about figuring out if your products actually meet the requirements for the school vending. It gives all kinds of different things, and it’s basically … It walks you through the things, and it’ll tell you if it works. One of the other things that’s here on this website is the product navigator. What the product navigator does is it actually gives you lists of products that meet these requirements, so we click on that. We go down here to Smart Snacks, and of course, then you go back here to Snacks again, and it’ll give you a complete … Here’s a menu of items that it shows: bars, cereals, cookies, brownies, pastries, chips. If we just click on chips, it brings you up a whole bunch of things, and who makes them, and what the skews are, and all that kind of thing. This is a really […]

Reasons to Have a Coffee Machine in Your Workplace   Coffee is one of the most valuable traded commodities in the world, second only to oil. A nice cup of coffee, made from a Coffee Vending Machine,  is the perfect way to start in the morning or it can keep you company during the day. More importantly, coffee is a core part of the workday. But what is coffee without a good coffee machine in your office? At work, the good old coffee pot is not enough to satisfy the different cravings of your employees and customers anymore. People want espresso, latte, cappuccino, hot chocolate and some even demand soup out of their office coffee machines. Recent studies revealed that employees think that high-quality coffee offered by employers is a vital workplace perk, proving that the company cares about its workers. So it is time to deal with the fact that having a coffee machine in your workplace is a necessity, even more so than pens and paper nowadays.   Four Reasons Why You Need a Coffee Vending Machine in The Office Investing in a quality coffee machine for your business does not only have benefits for employees, but it can improve the whole work environment and increase workers’ productivity. If you are still not sure why or whether you need a coffee vending machine in your office, here are four excellent reasons to have one. 1. Coffee Improves Productivity at Work Caffeine is a strong stimulant that helps employee fight off sluggishness and keeps mental alertness, energy, and endurance at work. Throughout the workday, most people undergo a decline in mental abilities. Because of the normal human biorhythm, many people feel mental acuity to flag at around 10 AM and 2 PM. This is connected to the production of a chemical responsible for sleepiness, adenosine, which links to receptors that slow down brain activity. The more adenosine, the more you feel tired. Caffeine has a similar structure to adenosine, binding to the same receptors but as it is not adenosine, the sleepiness effect is not felt. *Check Out this Video By TED-ED if you would like to know more. 2. Coffee in The Office Helps Networking Taking a coffee break with colleagues during the workday is nowadays a widespread and ingrained habit in office culture. Meeting or inviting co-workers to take a coffee is a perfect occasion to foster relationships, network and talk things over in a more relaxed way. The Swedes even have a word for it, ‘Fika,’ and they believe that it’s during the coffee break that most work gets done. A study at MIT proved that coffee breaks have a positive effect of increasing the strength of groups in the workplace and they also increase productivity. Having a cup of coffee in the office with your colleagues may also create a space where new ideas are born. People tend to exchange opinions by merely chatting over a cup of something hot. 3. Coffee Makes Workers Happy “Depresso,” the feeling you get when you have run out of your coffee can be a real productivity killer. In a Harvard study, women who drank 4 or more cups of coffee per day had a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed. Caffeine affects the level of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, preventing their re-absorption, which makes you feel happy. Obviously, the happiness of employees is proportionate to the number of coffee varieties they can choose, so having a proper office coffee machine is fundamental to keep workers happy and foster a positive work environment. 4. Coffee Keeps People Honest at Work Fortune reports that “People who get too little sleep are prone to go along with unethical practices at work unless they up their caffeine intake”. Sleep-deprived people are more susceptible to undertake unethical behaviors but caffeine can help strengthen will-power and self-control. Employers should always make sure they don’t overwork their employees, but sometimes it’s not up to them to decide how much rest they get. What is up to them, though, is how much coffee they offer in the workplace. To ensure that employees are on their best ethical behavior, plenty of coffee should be available at all times. Even More, Reasons to Get a Coffee Vending Machine for Your Business These are only four of the many good reasons why having a coffee machine at work is important. Overall, being able to take a break from work and enjoy a good cup of coffee makes people happier and better at their jobs. Of course, coffee is not the only thing you need for a healthy and productive work environment, but it is a way for an employer to show his or her employees that they care about them. Employees will typically take breaks and socialize during working hours, whether they have a coffee machine or not. Employers can encourage this behavior to show that they respect their workers’ needs. In turn, employees who feel like their needs are taken into consideration, will work better and avoid sneaking behind the boss’ back. A simple gesture like getting a coffee machine for your workplace can go a long way to make everybody happier and more productive.  

All You Need to Know About Vending Machines Key Highlights The vending machine business is a lucrative opportunity that offers flexibility and the potential for high customer satisfaction. Snack vending machines and beverage dispensers are popular options that cater to different consumer preferences. The industry is evolving with the introduction of innovative smart vending machines that offer technological advancements and enhanced customer satisfaction. Introduction Vending machines have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, offering convenience and quick access to a variety of products. From snacks and beverages to specialty items and even electronics, vending machines have evolved to cater to different consumer needs. In this blog, we will explore the world of vending machines and provide you with all the information you need to know about starting your own vending machine business. Why Vending Machines are a Great Business Opportunity The vending machine business presents a great opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. One of the key advantages is the low initial investment required compared to other businesses. With the flexibility to choose your own locations and manage your own time, the vending industry offers a level of autonomy that appeals to many. In the United States alone, the vending industry generates billions of dollars in revenue each year, making it a profitable venture for those willing to put in the effort. Low Initial Investment Compared to Other Businesses One of the major advantages of starting a vending machine business is the low initial investment required. Unlike many other businesses that require significant capital, a vending machine business can be started with a relatively small amount of money. In addition, there are financing options available to help you get started. Whether you choose to focus on a specific product line or offer a full line of vending machines, the investment required will be significantly lower compared to other business ventures. This makes it an attractive option for individuals looking to start their own business without breaking the bank. Flexibility in Location and Time Management Another advantage of the vending machine business is the flexibility it offers in terms of location and time management. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar businesses, vending machines can be placed at various locations based on customer demand. Whether it’s in office buildings, schools, hospitals, or shopping centers, you have the freedom to choose the best locations for your vending machines. Additionally, you can manage your own schedule and work at your own pace. This flexibility allows you to run your vending machine business as a full-service operation or as a part-time venture, depending on your personal preferences and commitments. Types of Vending Machines to Consider When starting a vending machine business, it’s important to consider the different types of machines available. Traditional snack and soda vending machines are popular choices that offer a wide range of products to cater to customers’ cravings. Specialty vending machines, on the other hand, focus on specific items such as coffee, healthy snacks, or even electronics. The latest trend in the vending machine industry is the introduction of smart vending machines, which incorporate technological advancements and provide a seamless and interactive user experience. Traditional Snack and Soda Vending Machines Traditional snack and soda vending machines are a staple in the vending machine industry. These machines offer a wide selection of snacks and beverages to satisfy customers’ cravings. Some key features and benefits of traditional snack and soda vending machines include: Variety of snacks and beverages, including chips, candies, pastries, gum, mints, soda, and juices Easy to operate and maintain, with options for coin, bill, and contactless payment systems Versatile machines that can dispense both snacks and drinks, known as combo vending machines Optional gumball machines that cater to children and add a playful element to your vending business Specialty Vending Machines (Coffee, Healthy Snacks, Electronics) In addition to traditional snack and soda vending machines, there is a growing demand for specialty vending machines that cater to specific consumer preferences. Some popular types of specialty vending machines include: Coffee vending machines: These machines offer a variety of hot beverages, including coffee, espresso, cappuccino, and hot chocolate. Healthy snack vending machines: With the increasing focus on health and wellness, these machines provide a range of nutritious snacks and drinks. Electronics vending machines: These machines offer a convenient way for customers to purchase small electronic devices, such as chargers, headphones, and phone accessories. Custom vending machines: Custom vending machine manufacturers can create unique vending machines tailored to specific business needs, such as vending machines for bowling accessories, laundry products, or carwash items. Combo Vending Machines Combo vending machines offer the convenience of providing both snacks and drinks, including dairy products, in a single unit, catering to varied customer preferences efficiently. These machines are a popular choice in high-traffic locations, such as office buildings or schools, where space may be limited. By offering a combination of snacks, beverages, and other products, combo vending machines can attract a wider range of customers and increase overall sales potential. Their versatility and space-saving design make them a smart investment for entrepreneurs in the vending industry. Innovative Smart Vending Machines and Their Advantages Smart vending machines are the latest innovation in the vending machine industry. These machines incorporate advanced technology to provide an enhanced user experience and maximize customer satisfaction. Some key advantages of smart vending machines include: Touchscreen displays and interactive interfaces that make it easy for customers to browse and select products Cashless payment options, including mobile payment methods and contactless card transactions Real-time inventory tracking and management, ensuring that machines are always stocked with popular items Remote monitoring and maintenance capabilities, allowing operators to quickly address any issues or malfunctions Data analytics and reporting features that provide valuable insights into customer preferences and purchasing patterns Setting Up Your Vending Machine Business Once you have decided on the type of vending machines you want to operate, it’s time to set up your vending machine business. This involves finding the right suppliers for your machines, identifying the best locations to place […]