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[FlintVending]

Hi Chris
Mark@youvend makes some really valid points there!
Probably not worth the hassle but you SHOULD test the market potential before writing it off all together.
I would offer the following scheme for a couple of weeks and it wont cost you a penny!
Put a notice up on the board announcing your pilot scheme.
Give every employee who might be tempted to buy sandwiches at least once in the two weeks a form to fill out asking them about favorite fillings white or wholemeal etc etc.
They would need to break down of sandwich requests daily.
Once you have the daily orders go to the supplier you had in mind and leave in the sandwiches in a basket labelled with names of each employee so they know who gets what.
take payment daily if poss and get feedback off all employees.
I think you should charge them the vend price you had in mind and you can justify that with all your running around.
But, most importantly, you haven't committed a penny to a machine at this stage.
Tot up your profits after two weeks and see if the numbers stack up?
Personally if you make less than £20 a day clear profit, I wouldn't bother.

Cheers
nigel

[Mark@YorVend]

Hi mark it's a bus depot which is having its canteen shut down so I've been approached by the management to see if it's possible to have a sandwich machine,that's over 100 drivers a day plus clerical staff I have snack and hot drink machines waiting to go in and I think you are correct in what you have all been saying and I will give this idea the heave ho!
Thanks to all
Chris.

I would have a go at that one! I know a few drivers here in York, and I know they work very erratic shift patterns that don't allow for planning your dinner very well. They are also very well paid and would be the sort of people who would spend a pound or two grabbing a bite to eat between bus changes.
I would give it a go, especially if they have asked for it and you are going there a lot anyway for the other machines.

[chris gibbs]

Hi Chris
Mark@youvend makes some really valid points there!
Probably not worth the hassle but you SHOULD test the market potential before writing it off all together.
I would offer the following scheme for a couple of weeks and it wont cost you a penny!
Put a notice up on the board announcing your pilot scheme.
Give every employee who might be tempted to buy sandwiches at least once in the two weeks a form to fill out asking them about favorite fillings white or wholemeal etc etc.
They would need to break down of sandwich requests daily.
Once you have the daily orders go to the supplier you had in mind and leave in the sandwiches in a basket labelled with names of each employee so they know who gets what.
take payment daily if poss and get feedback off all employees.
I think you should charge them the vend price you had in mind and you can justify that with all your running around.
But, most importantly, you haven't committed a penny to a machine at this stage.
Tot up your profits after two weeks and see if the numbers stack up?
Personally if you make less than £20 a day clear profit, I wouldn't bother.

Cheers
nigel

Hi Nigel that Idea has potential but if you know the bus drivers in Norwich like I do you would be chasing money owed for months !
Think I will have to do a little more digging thanks again for all of your great replies!

[Coin Operated Group]

long life sandwiched cost about 75p sell at £1.50

regards
matt

[chris gibbs]

long life sandwiched cost about 75p sell at £1.50

regards
matt

That seems a ok margin to me ,I will trawl the internet for a company near me and see what I can find .
Thanks

[PabloV8]

Chris,

You need to be careful with this, people these days demand quality therefore only supply quality sandwiches. Customers will quickly turn off if your sandwiches are cheap and cheerful, once damage is done they are lost forever. Quality is the key in any food business, start off well and maintain the position - that way you will always have sales, rather than loads of cheep stock that does not budge. We are talking lunch here and not a pot of sweets!

Good luck with your venture.

[Coin Operated Group]

Not true, I operate these sandwich machines and have tried freshly made samdwiches with locally sourced salad bought fresh daily , locally sourced bread made fresh daily (best bread in the area and the most expensive) all made up in our commercial kitchen by staff overseen by a chef.

We took them out and pit long life sandwiches in, they we're cheaper and it didn't affect sales . Went up slightly in fact.

Sandwiches in a vending machine have a tough sale due to number of sandwich vans , cafés and shops selling sandwiches as there is a perception the latter are fresher.

The sandwich machine is really there for those who have missed dinner , running late etc an impulse purchase similar to snack vending machines.

Regards
Matt

[PabloV8]

Problem solved Chris,

Matt seems to have the expertise and knowledge - use him as your supplier!

[Coin Operated Group]

Nice idea don't think Chris would like my mark up on then though