The vending machine business began in the 1st century A.D. The mathematician, Hero, created a machine to dispense holy water. Two thousand years later, vending machines are still around. They dispense anything from cola to caviar.<\/p>\n
The vending machine business has recently changed from selling sodas and chips to healthier fare. Several factors are driving this change.<\/p>\n
Over 30% of all vending machine sales come from schools.<\/p>\n
In 2014, the USDA passed new nutrition standards<\/a> for school vending machines. These guidelines require snacks sold in machines to meet specific fat, calorie, sugar, and sodium levels.<\/p>\n Schools have also increased their focus on nutrition. Many teachers now coach kids about nutrition, including how to reading food labels and make better food and drink choices.<\/p>\n In 2016, the U.S. weight loss market grew 2.2% YOY to $66.3M. The total market forecast is expected to increase by another 2.8% in 2017.<\/p>\n Americans are becoming more and more knowledgeable and aware of diet, nutrition, and fitness. They are swamped with healthy living messages on popular TV shows, fitness-focused magazines, and wellness websites.<\/p>\n With over 45 million people in the U.S. on a diet at any one time, the trend continues to grow. These dieters are seeking healthier options not only in grocery stores and restaurants but in vending machines too.<\/p>\n Recent reports by diet and nutrition experts feature the benefits of plant-based diets<\/a>.<\/p>\n Clinical research studies show that following a low-fat, plant-derived diet can help with weight loss, reduce cholesterol and blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, and reverse type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n The market is beginning to see an influx of vegetarian and vegan choices. The popularity of both vegan frozen and prepared foods has increased.<\/p>\n A new San Francisco-based company offers an all-vegan line-up in their vending machines. People can choose from lentil salads, chia pudding breakfast jars, and zucchini noodles with vegan pesto.<\/p>\n Healthy snacks are making a positive impact on the vending machine business. The sales of healthier snacks outpace less healthy options by almost 3:1.<\/p>\n The industry has expanded to include new vending machine businesses, beyond vegan and other options, that focus solely on healthy snacks.<\/p>\n HealthyYou Vending reviews<\/a> provide great insight into the positive benefits franchise owners are experiencing by making the switch to the healthy vending machine business.<\/p>\n There are over seven million vending machines across the U.S., bringing in revenues of over $73M each year. With this recent shift to healthy eating, what’s happening to the vending machine business?<\/p>\nGrowth in the U.S. Weight Loss Market<\/h2>\n
Popularity of Plant-Based Diets<\/h2>\n
Healthy Vending Machine Business<\/h2>\n
Impacts on the Vending Machine Business<\/h2>\n