Hot Drink Machine as Part of Vending Center

[Uncle Sam]

This idea has been "rattling" around in my brain for a couple of years and now I think we have the capability now to put this dream into a "real world product". We would like some feedback from all wash operators about a ShurVend Quality Hot Drink machine with designed security that can be added to the vending center at your wash. Cold drinks we already do, but no hot drinks ala Starbucks or gourmet coffee type quality. Since I am not a coffee drinker (not even Starbucks), I will leave it up to the coffee (and other gourmet type) drinkers to give input on this idea. Coffee, Lattes, Mochas, Teas, Cocaos, Soups and other gourmet drinks can be customized into the new hot drink machines. This would be a full size vendor (not a counter top) with cup sizes up to 20 oz and fresh grind capability.

Most washes already have an RO water source so the taste of these drinks should be very good. The power source will have to 20 amp-120-volt which is higher than the snack and cold machines already in place. All money acceptance including credit cards will be available in this vendor and all graphics on the front will be fully visible to the customer. As for placement of this vendor I would encourage you to place it facing or in the vac area so it is very visible to customers and they have time to select what they want without "time pressure" from a timer counting down.

So let us know what your thoughts are and maybe we can design an good looking vendor to make these sales at a wash. There is nothing like adding another benefit to your wash over the competition down the street.

Uncle Sam

 

[jprb]

I think it would be a great idea in the right location! If you can provide a high quality product with reliability, the coffee drinkers will come!!

JPRB

 

[pitzerwm]

Personally, I wouldn't bother. I had one of those machines in the 70's. No one is going to a carwash for a hot drink. Maybe in the winter, but that would be it. When they want a coffee, they will go to Starbucks and pay $5. That's not happening at a carwash. At least not enough to make it pay.

 

[MikeV]

I think Bill is right, besides, who wants all those paper cups all over the place. You know thats where they will end up. And Pleeeeeeaaaaaase don't use Starbucks. They don't support our troops.

 

[Uncle Sam]

I was beginning to think that no one would have an opinion on this thread when I know “Forum” people have opinions about everything. This idea won’t work everywhere, but continue to keep the feedback coming. I‘m a big boy, so, what ever your opinions, “let ‘er rip”.

I don’t think you can compare the hot drink technology of 3 years ago (plus) anymore than you can compare the technology in a car wash to 3 years ago. This technology does come at a pretty high price ($9K or so), but the price point can be in the $2-$4 range which is higher than the normal car wash vending price point. I have done some more research and here are some more facts (at least that’s what the salesman and the brochure say) about the new hot drink vendors that have the latest technology in them.

12 beverage selections
2 different cup size capability (10 oz and 20 oz)
Guaranteed delivery of cup and beverage to customer
Fresh ground beans for each cup (not loose ground, instant, or freeze dried)
Special brewing technology for enhanced flavor (whatever that is)
Filtered water or RO water supplies
Payment options of cash or credit card

The Starbucks brand was mentioned only as an example of the quality and pizzazz that the vendor will have to produce in order to compete. Personally I can’t stand Starbucks, but they have the “star quality” reputation in the market. Seasonality will be a factor the same as it is in the traditional car wash products vending. People at a wash doing vacuuming and detailing of their cars will buy cold drinks and maybe hot drinks depending on the season of the year.

CONT’D

 

[Uncle Sam]

Security for this machine will be a challenge to do and still make it look like a pleasing addition to the site. The “trash” factor is certainly a legitimate question to ask, but I don’t see that it is any different than the wrappers that car wash products are packaged for sale.

I am not naive enough to believe the “if you build it, they will come” scenario, but new ideas come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. The car wash business had seen multiple innovations over the past few years and will continue to evolve in the future. The more “convenience” and “all at one place” offerings that can be presented to automobile owners would seem the right direction to go for the self serve segment of the business.

Uncle Sam

 

[MEP001]

I like the general idea since the cost of supplies vs. sale price is much better than that of a canned drink, but it wouldn't work at our site. The biggest problem is that there's a convenience store 100 feet away that has fresh coffee all day. The next biggest problem is that our summers are six months long and the winters are pretty mild. Now if the machine could dispense cups of both cold and hot drinks it might work for us.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

I don't think i would buy it jim, but maybe the market is somewhere else. To me it would be perfect at hwy rest stops as our states are unattended. So the market could still be somewhere.
John

 

[jprb]

Jim,
A couple of questions: Would the unit be able to be used as a "drive up" machine, like an ATM? How long does it take to dispense each serving? If you watch a McD's drive through in the mornings, many people order just coffee and it is normally a very quick process. If a site had an area for a drive through set up with this machine, it might be more appealing than a soda machine type set-up.

JPRB

 

[Uncle Sam]

jprb,

This vendor is about the same size as our ShurVend "51" and is a stand alone unit. If it is installed where people can drive up near it and park, I guess you could say it will operate like an ATM. It would not be a operation where a customer can sit in their car and have the drink handed to them thru the window. We are trying to give your wash one more "perk" to entice the customer to use your wash rather than the one down the street.

How long it takes to dispense a cup of whatever, I can't say at this moment. I haven't used one yet or seen a demo of the vendor.

I don't patronize McD at all so I can not relate to their coffee, but I would be aiming at a much better quality of coffee and other drinks than at McD.

Uncle Sam

 

[rph9168]

In a recent blind taste test McD's coffee was selected as the best over Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and other majors. In our area McD's does a lot of advertising for their coffee.

Back on the topic at hand, I have my doubts that a hot drink vending machine would be a good idea in most washes. I had a friend in the vending business not long ago and his biggest headaches came from the hot vending machines. Maybe they have recently made some improvements but I remember problems like the cups jamming, the product came out too weak or too strong and keeping them clean. Seems to me that most operators have enough headaches to deal with to make a hot vendor worthwhile.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Thanks for all the the replys to my Thread. Didn't get too much encouragement to go into this venture even though I did get some private emails that were encouraging. I certainly need to do much more investigation before anything is going to happen, but there seems to be no hurry.

Maybe some day...............

Again thanks for your feedback.

Uncle Sam

 

[mjwalsh]

Uncle Sam,

If the machine was really perfected we would be interested in having it in the launderette portion of our car wash business. We used to have a coffee meachine in there back in the 60s & early seventies. It was not the lack of interest but the quality of the machine that made us finally take it out.

 

[Uncle Sam]

mj,

Thanks for the input. I don't know that much about the hot drink machines as they are made today, but I have to think they are technologically better. I'm going to do more research before I try to do anything about this idea.

I will put another post on this forum after I learn more about the machine and ask for more input from operators like you. You guys/gals call the shots!

Uncle Sam