Need idea validation : vending machine with keto friendly foods
I have been strictly following keto diet for a while now, and it helped me tremendously. I know a lot of people do keto lifestyle now and it has kind of become one of the mainstream lifestyle. However, if i want to have a quick byte, i never see good options at my workplace.. So, i am thinking of starting a vending machine business which has natural and healthy options for keto diet users. What do y;all think. Since there are several founders here, i want to know.. do you encourage such kind of idea at your workplace to put a vending machine, or a fridge with keto healthy food options? or would it be another cost adding thing.
don't you think you are restricting your business and targeting a low no of customers?
yeah.. thinking about it several times now, and listening to all valuable comments. its feels so!
I'm assuming this will largely depend on your location and type of company. Try to validate the problem in the simplest way with your real audience.
One idea: Call a few potential companies (starting with your own employer?) and agree with them to put a note on their current fridge / vending machine / pin board: "Do you want to have a selection of keto snacks, such as X, Y, Z, priced between xx & yy, always available in the office? Text KETO to xxxxxxxxx - if we get enough interest we will provide this asap." Add some footnote that there will be no spam sent to their number. Use different keywords (e.g. KETO1, KETO2) for different companies/locations, so you'll know where the interest is coming from. Tell the companies that this is clearly a growing trend and a simple way to increase their employee satisfaction, but that you always prefer to run this test first before going through the hassle of bringing in the machines etc.
great thoughts on how to validate the idea with no cost. will do that and update. Thank you!
This is fairly straight forward to validate.
Plan a vending machine. Understand what the product mix is, how much the items will cost, and how much it cost to stock the machine(s), consider spoilage. Understand the finances of stocking and operating a machine at a location.
Next, research and secure locations. You'll find that this will most likely be the hardest thing.
If you are able to secure a location you think is right for your business, then put together a machine and stock it. You should be able to find used vending machines in your area. If you want to take credit cards you'll need to pay a little extra, but it'll be worth it. Especially if your products are more than $2-3.
Don't buy a new vending machine. My hunch is you will most likely move your initial machine after testing out different product mixes and pricing.
There is obviously more to it than that, but you don't need to make it much more difficult.
i didnt think about testing with used vending machines to begin with. thanks for the idea friend!
I think it has potential at the right place, although I don't think the right place are offices. Companies have to choose something that makes most of the employees happy, not a small fraction (like keto followers). Unless you are talk about very big companies and very big offices, like Google and etc.
But besides that, I'm curious: what are these keto options that are good for an afternoon snack?
Thanks for the reply!
Good snacks i generally carry are : pitted olives, almond butter sachets with some celery, chia seeds soaked in a jar of low fat milk and pistachios. :) But i have many ideas of what they can be!