Vending machines present busy consumers on the go with availability to products that help nourish, satisfy and entertain, which are accessible in major communal hubs such as public transport venues, gyms and sporting clubs, hospitals, schools and universities, retail outlets, shopping centres and workplaces.
The convenience of vending extends to business owners who have the choice of working either full-time, or supplementing their studies or current occupation with an income boost. It all depends on how many machines they own and how often they require maintenance and restocking. But do you have what it takes to be a vending machine operator?
What you need to succeed in vending
“A successful vending franchisee is one that strives to always improve their vending service, making sure they operate to meet the needs and tastes of their customers. It really pays to have this drive as it will increase the franchiseeÕs sales and provide referrals,” says Nick Hull, marketing co-ordinator, RP-vending systems.
For Michael Turpin, general manager of everQuench, there are five skills required in a vending operator. Firstly, the desire to operate and grow your own business; and secondly, basic management and accounting skills. Strong communication and people skills are another requirement as is basic computer literacy. Add in a willingness to learn and work as a team and you have the appropriate skill base.
Kellie Werder, business manager at Provender, defines a successful operator as “a hard working people person who likes getting out and about, meeting new people and is committed to owning and operating a successful business. It is as simple as that!”
At RedRoomDVD, managing director and co-founder Dan Joyce pinpoints three elements. “An excellent grasp of the concept ‘the customer comes first’ is a must. The person who will succeed in DVD vending is as passionate about technology as they are about the innovation behind it,” he says.
Location location location
Every vending system will tell you that the location of your machines is critical. You could be the best operator in the world with the most up-to-date technology, but if your products aren’t selling, you won’t be successful. Vending systems can assist you to varying degrees in relation to sourcing suitable sites within your chosen area.
Independent advice
The Independent Vending Machine Operators Assoc of Aust Inc recommends potential vending machine owners seek professional advice and consider the following points.
Are you willing to work long hours, day or night, and at weekends, mostly on short notice, if required? Are you thorough? Can you handle money matters efficiently (both your own and others)? Do you have, or can you arrange, credit at your bank? Can you organise yourself and stick to a schedule?
What happens when things go wrong — do you remain calm? Do you really want to be your own boss? Can you ‘handle people’?
Being supported and having your ideas heard
Many franchise systems have an advisory council, made up from a selection of franchisees, to promote open and honest discussion between both franchisees and franchisor, for the benefit of all. Within the Provender system, the franchise advisory council discusses matters such as marketing, advertising and promotions, and works together to introduce, initiate, and implement any concept, idea or product that will contribute to the franchise systemÕs goals of increased profit, sales and customers.
“When you become an RP operator you are free to run your vending business as you wish,” explains Hull. “Some operators accumulate sites themselves by providing free chips and chocolate samples to win the sites over.”
“everQuench is always happy to get feedback from its franchisees,” says Turpin. “All our vending operators are fully supported by the everQuench head office through our national customer care centre including access to our engineers, new machine innovations, group purchasing power, cashless technologies, online monitoring and much more.”
“RedRoomDVD is a business built on innovation and passion for delivering value to customers,” says Dan Joyce. “That isn’t only external customers, but internal ones as well. Our franchise manager is on the road three out of five days, working in-store with our franchisees to make their businesses as successful as possible. Their success is our success and ultimately the customer benefits.”