Many Chicago area businesses find that providing refreshment opportunities for their staff and guests with coffee and vending machines creates a happier workplace. However, once the decision is made to provide vending machines, the next question becomes, where should they be placed.
Premier Vending works hand in hand with business owners helping guide them on where the best area to place vending machines is in their facility.Typically, there are a handful of considerations when making this decision.
The first thing to consider when deciding where to place vending equipment is the availability of power. Although modern vending and coffee equipment is blue-star energy efficient, they still require a traditional power outlet. Additionally, depending on the coffee equipment being placed, a water source may also need to be available. Beyond power, there needs to be ample space available to house the equipment. A single vending machine can measure approximately 72”x39”x33” and if there are multiple pieces of vending equipment being placed, the appropriate amount of space will need to be available. Another space issue to consider is entry into the area that the vending machines will be placed, any doorway that will need to be passed through needs to be wide enough to move the vending machines through.
Ideally, an area that has enough physical space for the vending and coffee equipment will also be a high traffic area. Ultimately, the vending and coffee equipment is there as an amenity for employees and guestsand placing the equipment in a high traffic area ensures the most use of the equipment. If the equipment is tucked away in an inconvenient, dark corner of your facility, likely, it will not be used as much. Common areas where people gather like hallways and break rooms are usually great places for vending and coffee equipment.
The product that will be placed in the vending equipment may also dictate where the vending equipment will be placed. Chicago experiences all four seasons and can have frigid winters and hotsummers. Beverage vending machines provide some flexibility as they can keep products cold in the summer with their refrigeration components. If the equipment is being placed outside, heating elements can be placed in the equipment to keep the product from freezing in the winter. Snack vending machines don’t provide the same flexibility as they are not temperature controlled. Candy and pastryare typically the most cumbersome products as chocolates and icings are prone to melt in warm temperatures and freeze in cooler temperatures.
Business hours are a final consideration to make when deciding where to place coffee and vending equipment in your Chicago area business. Premier Vending is committed to keeping our vending machines stocked so our end users can always enjoy whatever drink or snack they are craving. To keep our vending machines stocked, our route drivers need to have access to the equipment. If the vending machines are placed in an area that only has limited hours and consequently, limited availability, it becomes difficult for drivers to stock the equipment. Ideally, vending and coffee equipment should be placed in an area that has full access during tradition working hours.
No matter where you place vending and coffee equipment in your Chicago area facility, your employees and guests will be grateful for the ability to grab a quick snack, cold drink or hot cup of coffee. However, placing the vending machines in a calculated, high traffic area ensures that the equipment will provide the highest level of satisfaction for you and your patrons.