It has always intrigued me how successful vending machine businesses are. If you think about it, there are vending machines for just about everything, from chap sticks and stickers, to the typical candy. When out and about, they are such a convenience for me that I often wonder whether the hassle of moving it, filling it, or maintaining it is even worth it. But then, if I stop by one of these every day to class and get a candy bar or a soda, within a month, they will have made more than what the spent on it, right? And there are many companies that have made this a successful business, like 1800Vending, that I then have to wonder how competitive it would be to make it a vending business of my own.
I think the first thing I would need to do is decide on what type of vending machine I would implement. Of course, the best choice will depend on where I decide to place my vending machine (maybe 1800 Vending has a strategy for this). I imagine that a college would be the best place. During tests and finals, students are always eating that stress food. A vending machine well placed will help me to reach out to the hungry and to provide sustenance for their stress.
Finally, if my vending machine did well, I would probably be able to hire someone to come do daily or weekly checkups on the machine to make sure it is all working and fully stocked (again, maybe this is something that the 1800Vending staff helps with). In the end, I think that my 1800Vending machines will help more people and will be a successful business for me. I used to think it was the worst thing because it promoted snacking, but now I see that if placed in the right locations, it is one of the smartest businesses a person like me can start.
