Soda vending
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Soda vending is the business of selling single-serving containers of soda, such as 12 fl. oz. (354 ml) cans or 20 oz. (590 ml) bottles, from electronic vending machines. Soda vending is a type of full line vending.
Soda machines have large capacities, meaning less frequent servicing than with some other types of vending. Soda machines can take a long time to service – as much as an hour for a soda machine that is low on inventory. The product is a lot heavier and bulkier than bulk candy; thus, a handcart and a van can be useful. The product also tends to take up more space. In the soda industry, there is a lot of competition from big players, which can make it difficult to find large accounts. Many schools and universities have exclusivity agreements with major bottlers such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola that only allow those companies to place vending machines on the premises.
Soda machines can often be borrowed for free from bottlers such as Coca-Cola under third-party vending programs. The terms may require, for instance, that five of eight selections be Coke products, and that the sodas be purchased from the bottler. The favorability of the terms is generally better in areas where the bottler has poor distribution and needs the help of private operators.
Some machines will go empty several times faster than others. Cold soda pop sells faster in summer than winter, especially if the machine is outside. A simple refilling route and schedule won’t work in these instances.
One may need a warehouse or storage unit for the product prior to delivery, and for unused vending machines. Even if it can all fit in the operator's house, stairs can be cumbersome. But soda pop, especially diet soda, can freeze and burst outside.
[edit] Manufacturers
- Dixie-Narco, a subsidiary of Crane Co.
- Royal Vendors
- Vendo
