I work in a small office as part of a larger company. There are 200 people that work for the company as a whole, but my office building only holds 7 of us. Consequently we don’t get the larger convenience services that the bigger buildings get, such as vending services, more catered events, coffee delivery, etc. We now manage our own internal vending service using the office refrigerator and a cup for change.
It actually works pretty well. It’s largely based on the honor system. There’s a fridge in our breakroom. We have a designated vending person who is in charge of stocking it with the pop, snacks, candy and other items we request. Money is dropped into a cup in the fridge door. Prices are set to be lower than normal vending machines, but high enough that it makes a profit. The profits are then given back to us either as “free snack” days are perhaps a pizza party.
The obvious advantage is that we can easily have available our favorite snacks and drinks. The other advantage is that we all profit from the sales instead of a vending machine company. It did teach me that vending machines are successful and profitable if in the right market. I’m sure the machines in the main building rake in a haul, as there are dozens and dozens of people who use them and pay incredible prices for a can of soda or sandwich. Even with our reduced priced items we still make money off ourselves so I can’t imagine what the real machines are pulling in.
When it’s time to refill the supply of soda and candy someone from the office will go find the best deal and buy what we need. Then they come back and get reimbursed from the stock of money in the cup. It’s very simple and it gives us great variety.
A vending machine business is not a get rich quick scheme. It’s hard work and I can see it whenever the guys bring in the supplies and have to deal with refunds and broken machines. Our company vending service recently got taken over by a larger outfit with their own vending trucks. In fact, I see their trucks all over town so I think they manage the machines for most of the offices in our area.