Is Modern Vending a Substitute for Other Dining Options?

The office vending machine has come a long way. From the early days of putting quarters into a machine and (hopefully) having a snack fall to the bottom, vending machines have consistently improved with advances in technology. 

Today’s vending machines can do things that would have seemed impossible just a short time ago. Additionally, there are vending options available now that don’t use traditional machines at all. When you add it up, the options for convenient food services in offices and other buildings are as varied as they’ve ever been. 

Have you been thinking about upgrading the food and drink options you make available to your people? If so, having the right partner for that project is critical, and InReach is the best in the business. Take a moment now to get in touch, and our team will jump at the chance to serve you. 

The Many Benefits of Modern Vending Machines

Let’s be honest—early vending machines had some problems. When they worked, they were great. However, they didn’t always work, and the issues they had could be quite frustrating. 

Sometimes, the machine wouldn’t accurately read how many coins were put into the slot. Other times, the bills couldn’t be read at all, and they would just keep coming right back out at you. Once payment was successfully provided and the order was placed, it was always possible that the item would get stuck in the dispenser, seeming to defy gravity as it hung there at the end of the line. 

The good news is that office vending machines have leveraged advances in technology to leave most of these problems in the past. Credit card readers and touchless payment options make it easier than ever to submit payment. Touchscreen interfaces allow for easy browsing, and there is no risk of pressing the wrong button and getting an item you never wanted. These advancements are part of their popularity; global vending machine revenue is expected to exceed $40 billion annually by 2033. 

On the operator side, there is less to worry about, as well. Digital inventory management allows businesses and other organizations to easily keep the most popular items stocked day after day. And, since users will be having fewer issues with the machine, there will be fewer maintenance requests to deal with and other problems to resolve. Simply put, modern vending works wonderfully, and upgrading from old machines to the kind available from InReach will make a world of difference. 

Machines Are Just the Start

When talking about vending in the modern workplace, you really can’t stop the discussion at machines. Yes, vending machines continue to play an important role in convenient food and beverage services, but they are now a starting point rather than a finish line. 

Specifically, the rise of micro markets has changed the landscape in a notable way. These spaces can offer a wider variety of options than what is found in a regular vending machine and can easily be customized to fit the needs of each location. When an employee or visitor walks into a micro market, they will find an appealing selection of snacks, drinks, meal options, and more. 

Of course, technology is utilized in micro markets just as in today’s vending machines. An intuitive kiosk can be used for checkout, while contactless payment methods and phone purchases are also possible. With no need for staff, micro markets are affordable to operate, and the product mix can consistently be adjusted to respond to demand. 

The value of a micro market as a social hub in your building should also be highlighted. This is a feature that is sure to become quite popular among your people, who can form plenty of new relationships in and around the market. If you have been looking for ways to foster better connections among your employees, but you want it to occur in a natural, organic manner, a micro market is ideal. 

Scalable and Cost-Effective Solutions

Large offices have traditionally featured cafeterias that offered food and beverage options to employees. These facilities certainly served the purpose, but they came with a tremendous cost. No matter how many people used the cafeteria in a given day, the staff needed to be paid, and some of the inventory was likely to be wasted. 

Solutions like quality vending machines and micro markets can dramatically lower the operational cost of food services. The big savings come in avoiding the need for staffing. Without paying wages to people who will run the on-site food service, costs go down significantly overnight. Since so many great options are now available with a partner like InReach, you can still provide your people with an outstanding experience while enjoying the savings at the same time. 

Making Life Easier

Food and beverage services should make life easier in an office. That applies to both the people who work in the building and the people who run it.

For employees, convenient food and drink options allow them to spend more time focusing on work and less time chasing down snacks and meals. This can be seen as an important workplace amenity and will be something that makes people feel better about their jobs. It might even encourage them to stick around longer than they would have otherwise. 

On the owner and manager side of the ledger, food services have long been a thorn in the side. They can be difficult to manage, expensive, and often feel like more trouble than they are worth. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Modern vending—whether in traditional machines or through features like micro markets—can simplify the process and deliver outstanding results without any of the hassles.

Move Beyond Traditional Dining Options With InReach

It’s easy enough to just carry on with the same old methods you’ve been using to put food and beverage options in front of your people. Times have changed, however, and modern office vending and other solutions can now deliver results that you don’t want to miss. Team up with InReach to see what’s possible and to create a plan that is ideal for your building. 

Proudly part of Sodexo, InReach offers global reach, customized attention, and a large, growing buying network that keeps food costs low and quality high. Contact us today to learn more.