When Should You Introduce Snack Vending to Your Workplace?.
Introducing snack vending machines to your workplace can be a great way to boost employee morale and create an even more comfortable work environment. But deciding when to do so can be tricky.
If you’re considering adding snack machines to your office, it’s important to think through whether this is the right solution for your business right now, and the implications of choosing to do so. In this blog post, we’ll look at the top considerations and explore when the right time to introduce snack vending machines to your workplace might be
If You Have a Break Room
Having a designated break room is essential for the morale and productivity of any business. Not only do they give employees the chance to take a breather, but some workplaces won’t allow food or drink on the shop floor, meaning having an accessible break room for lunch and break times becomes all the more important.
For many businesses, this can be a great opportunity to introduce snack machines, allowing workers to enjoy refreshments without having to leave the premises, and giving them convenient access to drinks, snacks and confectionery. Having a snack vending machine on hand can also help encourage a culture of healthy eating, with snack product ranges now including low calorie, low sugar, gluten free and vegan snacks.
Whatever your worker’s needs, having a break room with well stocked snack vending machines can be a major plus for productivity and satisfaction.
If You Have Employees Who Work Late Hours
It’s no secret that many UK workers do shift work or work unsociable hours, with a recent survey finding that more than a quarter of British employees work outside of regular business hours. With most grocery stores and shops open only during normal business hours, shift workers can find themselves with nowhere to go to get a meal or a snack during their shifts. This is where snack vending machines can provide a great solution.
Snack vending machines provide a convenient option for employees working late hours, allowing them to grab a quick snack or meal without having to leave the premises. Vending machines also offer businesses an opportunity to provide employees with healthier snacks and meals, such as fresh fruit and salads, alongside traditional snack options like chips and chocolate bars. This two-fold benefit is particularly useful for those who feel that they don’t want to be subject to takeaway food as the only available foods outside of standard working hours.
Moreover, buying a snack vending machine for your workspace can be seen as an opportunity to show your commitment to your shift working employees’ wellbeing by offering convenient, healthy food options around the clock.
If Your Workplace is in a Remote Location
When your workplace is in a remote location, it can be hard to access shops and stores that are nearby, regardless of working patterns. It’s not always practical to drive miles just to grab snacks or other items you need for the day. This is where snack vending machines can be an invaluable asset to a business.
By providing snacks, drinks, and other items on-site, employees will no longer have to worry about being hungry for the rest of the day, if their packed lunch doesn’t quite hit the spot. Plus, it’s one less thing they have to worry about when they’re trying to focus on their work.
Snack vending machines can be a great way to boost morale and ensure that everyone has what they need to stay productive during their workday.
If You Want to Encourage Healthy Eating
Healthy eating is important to any workplace and introducing a snack vending machine can help employers promote a healthier lifestyle for their staff, contrary to common belief. Long gone are the days of high sugar, high fat snacks in vending machine spirals – in 2023, you can stock snacks formulated for specific dietary requirements, or just those lower in sugar, salt and fat.
In addition, having access to healthy snacks on-site can encourage employees to make healthier food choices throughout the entire day. A study by the University of North Carolina found that providing healthy snacks in the workplace can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Introducing a healthy snack vending machine also shows that employers care about the welfare and happiness of their staff. Employees will appreciate having access to nutritious snacks as an alternative to the usual fast release sugary snacks, and this can be beneficial for team morale and productivity.
Practical Considerations for Buying a Snack Vending Machine
When considering whether or not to invest in a snack vending machine, there are several things to keep in mind. Firstly, you need to assess whether you have enough staff on-site to manage the demand and operations of the snack machine. You also need to have an understanding of your consumers’ purchase behaviour – what snacks they prefer, when they are most likely to buy them, and the overall demand for your snacks. This will ensure that you choose the right type of snack machine for your needs.
Furthermore, you must consider the practicalities of where the machine will go. This includes the space needed for the machine and how accessible it will be to consumers. Additionally, who is going to be responsible for replenishing, maintaining and cleaning the equipment? These are all important factors to keep in mind when buying a snack machine.
It is also worth keeping in mind that snack machines come with a range of features, from energy efficiency and lighting systems to payment options such as cashless and contactless payments. Having the right combination of features can improve the user experience and boost sales, so make sure you do some research and take into account the practical needs of your workplace before purchasing a snack machine.
If you don’t have the right number of staff on site to justify a snack vending machine, there are other routes you can take to achieving improved employee satisfaction, such as installing a small, high-quality coffee machine for staff to enjoy.
Alternatively, if you are likely to have too much demand for a machine, you could consider looking at an unattended retail solution like a micro market, which are designed for high footfall.
Buying a Snack Vending Machine
Let our expert sales team take the stress and confusion out of purchasing a snack machine – we’ve been delivering industry leading food and beverage solutions to UK workplaces for more than 25 years, and we pride ourselves on great quality service from day dot.
Reach out to our friendly sales team on 01865 341011 or send us an enquiry, to get the ball rolling!
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