Snack vending in bar?

[Growliebusters]

Just wondering if a snack and soda machine can be successfull in a bar? I have two possible small bars that have expressed interest, however I just don't know if this would work well. Does anyone have a bar as a location and does it actually make money? I would have to purchase more equipment if I go ahead with it. Equipment in Canada ain't cheap either so I need to move cautiously here.

Thanks

Growlie

[mission vending]

Just wondering if a snack and soda machine can be successfull in a bar? I have two possible small bars that have expressed interest, however I just don't know if this would work well. Does anyone have a bar as a location and does it actually make money? I would have to purchase more equipment if I go ahead with it. Equipment in Canada ain't cheap either so I need to move cautiously here.

Thanks

Growlie

 

Never tried it but I can't imagine it ever being successful. I'm sure that if bars were snack/soda moneymakers I'd see them in every local watering hole and I've never seen a full snack/soda or combo machine in a bar.

[moondog]

Just wondering if a snack and soda machine can be successfull in a bar? I have two possible small bars that have expressed interest, however I just don't know if this would work well. Does anyone have a bar as a location and does it actually make money? I would have to purchase more equipment if I go ahead with it. Equipment in Canada ain't cheap either so I need to move cautiously here.

Thanks

Growlie

Here in California there is a law that bars must serve some type of food - if it's the same way up there then maybe these small bars are looking at snack machines to cover their liability.  Bars make their money on booze and often see the food service as a pain in the butt.

 

I'd say the soda machine would be a "no-go" but a snack machine loaded with salty stuff might be big hit - some of the bulk guys say that the candy machines do well in bars too.

 

I did a check on the import tariffs to Canada and I get the feeling it's about 5% which might make a trip to Spokane worth your while.  Unlike soda machines, snack machines are pretty easy to move - just pull the trays out and flip it on it's back into your van or truck.  I've done this by myself and I'm 5'9", 150 lbs.

[Golfdogs]

Just wondering if a snack and soda machine can be successfull in a bar? I have two possible small bars that have expressed interest, however I just don't know if this would work well. Does anyone have a bar as a location and does it actually make money? I would have to purchase more equipment if I go ahead with it. Equipment in Canada ain't cheap either so I need to move cautiously here.

Thanks

Growlie

. I have two bars on my route and they are solid locations. I've replaced some old coin only snack machines and sales doubled overnight.

The bar owner only wants canned drinks for his employees so they can't add stuff from behind the bar. ( I'm not so naive). Whatever, they are good locations for me.

[sherlock]

Bars are equipped with sodas to make mixed drinks, so I'd be surprised to hear about a soda machine doing well in most bars.

However, I would think a snack machine would do great in a lot of bars.

Maybe you can sell more than snacks...some of the selections can be used to vend stuff not normally sold alongside chips/gum/candy...things like packets of condoms, mouthwash, disposable lighters or matches, feminine/sanitary napkins, etc.

[Golfdogs]

Bars are equipped with sodas to make mixed drinks, so I'd be surprised to hear about a soda machine doing well in most bars.

However, I would think a snack machine would do great in a lot of bars.

Maybe you can sell more than snacks...some of the selections can be used to vend stuff not normally sold alongside chips/gum/candy...things like packets of condoms, mouthwash, disposable lighters or matches, feminine/sanitary napkins, etc.

Bar #1 does between 6-10 cases of can/week. Bar #2 between 3-6 cases/week. Employees only area.

Snacks are also employee only. I have cigarette machines for both in 'public' areas. I sold 45 cartons out of one last year. It also has Advil, Tylenol, mints, Tums, lighters and can coozies. The analgesics sell well. Maybe 25-30 lighters a year.

I do have separate condom/feminine product machines in restroom of both places...don't waste your time, novelty at best. I am servicing these machines today (every three months). I don't expect much. They came with the account and the bar owner is adamant that they stay.

[CajunCandy]

I have a chip machine in a bar, it does a little over $50 a week gross, along with a hot nut machine on bar and a three head candy machine. The nut machine pulls in about 100 month and candy averages between 50 and 70 a month. This in a little town but what is good about it the bar catches all the fishermen coming back from fishing and boat riders. I asked about a cold drink machine outside, they don't want the machine there.

[CajunCandy]

Here in California there is a law that bars must serve some type of food - if it's the same way up there then maybe these small bars are looking at snack machines to cover their liability.  Bars make their money on booze and often see the food service as a pain in the butt.

 

I'd say the soda machine would be a "no-go" but a snack machine loaded with salty stuff might be big hit - some of the bulk guys say that the candy machines do well in bars too.

 

I did a check on the import tariffs to Canada and I get the feeling it's about 5% which might make a trip to Spokane worth your while.  Unlike soda machines, snack machines are pretty easy to move - just pull the trays out and flip it on it's back into your van or truck.  I've done this by myself and I'm 5'9", 150 lbs.

I did a check on the import tariffs to Canada and I get the feeling it's about 5% which might make a trip to Spokane worth your while.  Unlike soda machines, snack machines are pretty easy to move - just pull the trays out and flip it on it's back into your van or truck.  I've done this by myself and I'm 5'9", 150 lbs.

 

Dang buddy, I have some bricks at home you can put in ur back pocket to help give you extra weight if you need!

 

mike

[Golfdogs]

Serviced the "novelty" machines today...gave me a good laugh. $11 from four machines. Hurt my back moving a snack yesterday, couldn't really laugh too hard. Good thing I inherited the stock, as well.

[moondog]

I did a check on the import tariffs to Canada and I get the feeling it's about 5% which might make a trip to Spokane worth your while.  Unlike soda machines, snack machines are pretty easy to move - just pull the trays out and flip it on it's back into your van or truck.  I've done this by myself and I'm 5'9", 150 lbs.

 

Dang buddy, I have some bricks at home you can put in ur back pocket to help give you extra weight if you need!

 

mike

No thanks Mike, the key to this maneuver is to let gravity do most of the work on the machine - not on me.

[Growliebusters]

Wow! Lots of great replies and suggestions. I think I'll have to meet with them some more to get a feel for what result THEY are looking for. They do have a resturant there so that might hamper any vend sales. I don't mind offering a convience for them, but I do need to make it profitable for me at the same time.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Growliebusters]

Bar #1 does between 6-10 cases of can/week. Bar #2 between 3-6 cases/week. Employees only area.

Snacks are also employee only. I have cigarette machines for both in 'public' areas. I sold 45 cartons out of one last year. It also has Advil, Tylenol, mints, Tums, lighters and can coozies. The analgesics sell well. Maybe 25-30 lighters a year.

I do have separate condom/feminine product machines in restroom of both places...don't waste your time, novelty at best. I am servicing these machines today (every three months). I don't expect much. They came with the account and the bar owner is adamant that they stay.

 

 

6-10 Cases a week??? how many employees here?

Never tried it but I can't imagine it ever being successful. I'm sure that if bars were snack/soda moneymakers I'd see them in every local watering hole and I've never seen a full snack/soda or combo machine in a bar.

 

I was thinking the very same thing,,,,, but I am obviously an outside the box thinker,,,, hence the query to others. Doesn't mean it'll work or that I'll go for it,,, just a thought to ponder.

[Golfdogs]

I've never asked how many people work there! Between 8-10 daytime employees and I'd guess 15-25 at night.

[moondog]

I've never asked how many people work there! Between 8-10 daytime employees and I'd guess 15-25 at night.

Heck,

 

Twenty people hitting a soda machine twice a day would easily do that.  I've got a similar account (size wise) and all they want is the soda machine - could care less about snacks.  The "number of employees" an account has is as good a metric as any when eyeing up a prospective location,  but it's not written in stone that the bigger account will always do better.

[Golfdogs]

The soda machine at Bar 1 has 265,000 vends on it! The machine at Bar 2 has only 215,000 vends...

[mission vending]

The soda machine at Bar 1 has 265,000 vends on it! The machine at Bar 2 has only 215,000 vends...

Placed at location new? How long ago??

[Golfdogs]

Placed at location new? How long ago??

. I inherited these machines with my route purchase last year. Therefore, it is pure speculation. Best I can figure, they have been there at least 20 years. I certainly doubt they were new.

The machine with the most vends is in a very tight spot. I can't see the model # on the side of the door. It is a DN with six double columns. Hopefully I can get another 20 years from this one!

[Growliebusters]

So, the number of employees really has no bearing on an account. I had a machine in a furniture store with 6 employees, placed right at the entrance. Very much an ethnic business, and the walk ins really didn't contribute to the sales at all. Averaged 30-35 a week for the 3 months it was there. A major bank (40 employees) called

me for a machine and I jumped, moved it from furniture store to bank and now grossing all of 8 bucks a week! I'll give it one more month then find a new home. What I don't get, is ALL the staff are so excited that I replaced the old vendor and have better equipment, COLD soda etc. but they arnt buying anything. Very disappointing.

[mission vending]

So, the number of employees really has no bearing on an account. I had a machine in a furniture store with 6 employees, placed right at the entrance. Very much an ethnic business, and the walk ins really didn't contribute to the sales at all. Averaged 30-35 a week for the 3 months it was there. A major bank (40 employees) called

me for a machine and I jumped, moved it from furniture store to bank and now grossing all of 8 bucks a week! I'll give it one more month then find a new home. What I don't get, is ALL the staff are so excited that I replaced the old vendor and have better equipment, COLD soda etc. but they arnt buying anything. Very disappointing.

White collar environments like this typically have the lowest $$ per capita spent in the machine. Of course there will always be exceptions but I'll take 30-40 blue collar workers any day of the week before I'd take the same number of white collar

[moondog]

So, the number of employees really has no bearing on an account. I had a machine in a furniture store with 6 employees, placed right at the entrance. Very much an ethnic business, and the walk ins really didn't contribute to the sales at all. Averaged 30-35 a week for the 3 months it was there. A major bank (40 employees) called

me for a machine and I jumped, moved it from furniture store to bank and now grossing all of 8 bucks a week! I'll give it one more month then find a new home. What I don't get, is ALL the staff are so excited that I replaced the old vendor and have better equipment, COLD soda etc. but they arnt buying anything. Very disappointing.

We've all been there man.  White collar accounts usually suck compared to a good blue collar location.  Find yourself a nice medium sized auto body shop for that soda machine.  People will always tell you they want something but when it comes time to put their money where their mouth is it's usually a completely different story.  Ninety percent of the special requests I've followed up on were a bust.  Stock what you know sells and keep your requests to a minimum.

[Vending How Chris]

White collar accounts, on the other hand, are great for office coffee service. That wouldn't apply much to a bar though. Just thought I'd jump into to defend them :-)