So one can buy their own vending machine and put it on their property. But is that how most vending machines get to be?
If so, how are repairs and restocking handled if one isn’t doing it themselves?
Are they ever even placed by the companies who make the drinks, or is it always the property owner that decides to put them there.
I’m not looking to install a vending machine or anything, but I need some information for a project and have hit a bit of a wall with googling. Might reach out to one of the companies who makes the vending machines, but a quick ask on Reddit first didn’t seem like it would hurt.
Will appreciate any insights!
6 comments
Sorry if I’m wrong, but my understanding is that most vending machines are owned and operated by beverage companies such as Coca Cola and Dydo. They buy the machine itself from manufactures like Sanden and Panasonic. My guess would be that the beverage companies pay “rent” for the right to set up vending machines on owners’ properties.
(Sorry if I’m wrong though!)
That business is called beppin-san here. There’s a TV show also called that so you’re going to have fun with the search results.
My very amateur understanding is that there are permits involved, and there are safety and you are subject to both installation and regular inspections (so they don’t fall over and crush a child).
Probably quite a lot to go through just to be licensed to operate one, even indoors. And there are some laws on what can and cannot go in there, but I wasn’t able to find a good link for you.
If I was you, I’d start by asking around at your ward office
In my hotel, we have two types: the alcohol vending machine we just operate ourselves, need a proper permit for it.
For soft drinks, a company operates them (Coca cola, Suntory, Neos, etc.), and we get a cut of the revenue.
They will check if it makes sense for them to install it where you offer.
@OP: I take it you don’t speak Japanese because the answers to all of your questions is literally at your fingertips. And though it anger some in this community to even suggest it, there exist whole books about this topic not only for purchase but also free of charge that can be borrowed from your local library or even ordered in to your local. WHat’s more, some of these “books” may be available on digital app platforms as well!
I had one for a while. Coca-Cola paid me 20% of all revenue and I paid for the electricity. It made ok money, not great but enough to cover my power bill, vending machine and personal use together. In the last couple years with power rates going up it’s been less of a good deal. I started to feel like I was subsidizing Coca-Cola so I quit. If you had a good spot you could probably do pretty good.
I often see vending machines in the middle of nowhere and wonder how they can make money. Especially when you factor in the electricity required to cool the thing in the middle of the summer heat.