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How Many Cans Does a Vending Machine Hold?

Explore vending machine capacity and how many cans does an average vending machine hold.

September 23, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Are you curious about how many cans a vending machine can hold? Whether you're thinking about starting a vending machine business or are just interested in the logistics behind these convenient contraptions, this article will provide you with all the information you need. We'll explore the different types of vending machines and their capacities, discuss factors that can affect the number of cans they can hold, discuss the importance of capacity for restocking, and offer tips for maximizing vending machine efficiency. So, grab a snack and get ready to delve into the world of vending machines!

What determines how many cans or sodas a vending machine holds?

Size and Design of the Vending Machine

When determining how many cans does a vending machine hold, the size and design of a vending machine play a significant role. Smaller soda vending machines are often limited to holding fewer items due to space constraints, while larger vending machines can accommodate more. The layout of the machine, including the number of rows, columns, and shelves, also affects how many cans it can hold. Manufacturers design most vending machines with efficiency in mind, utilizing the available space to maximize storage capacity while ensuring easy access for customers.

Product Packaging

The size and shape of the products being sold can impact a vending machine's capacity. Cans, for example, are generally uniform in size and can easily be stacked, maximizing the available space within the soda vending machine. On the other hand, irregularly shaped items, such as snack bags or oddly shaped bottles, may require more space between them to prevent damage. As a result, a vending machine may hold fewer units of these products compared to canned or bottled drinks or other easily stackable items.

Inventory Management

Efficient inventory management is crucial for maintaining a vending machine's capacity and ensuring optimal product availability. Regularly restocking the machine based on sales data, available vending technology, and customer preferences is essential. By monitoring inventory levels and adjusting refill frequencies, operators can minimize instances of empty slots and maximize the number of soda cans or snacks the machine can hold at any given time.

Product Variety

The variety of products offered by a vending machine can impact its capacity. Soda vending machines that carry a wide range of drink options like energy drinks, soft drinks, bottled drinks, for instance, may have smaller capacities for each specific beverage to accommodate various choices. Conversely, vending machines with a limited product selection can dedicate more space to a single item, leading to higher capacities of large item vending machines. Balancing product variety with capacity is an important consideration for vending machine operators.

How many cans does a vending machine hold?

a soda vending machine at a metro station without crowd

Vending machines come in various shapes and sizes, each tailored to specific products and spaces. Drink vending machines therefore hold, well, just drinks and combo are bit more versatile in their application. Let's take a closer look at the most common types of vending machines and their respective capacities.

Beverage Vending Machines

Beverage vending machines, often found in offices, schools, and public spaces, are designed to dispense a wide range of drinks, including soda, soft drinks, water, and fruit juices. These, oftentimes soda vending machines or soft drink vending machines can hold anywhere from 80 to 120 cans, depending on their size and configuration. Regardles if these are energy drink cans or coca-cola cans. Larger drink vending machines may have multiple rows or columns to accommodate different beverage options, increasing their overall capacity.

Snack Vending Machines

Snack vending machines are a popular option for satisfying cravings on the go. These machines can hold a variety of snacks, such as chips, candy bars, and cookies. The size and capacity of snack vending machines can vary, but on average, they can hold around 200 to 400 items. Some larger machines even have separate sections for healthier snacks, catering to the growing demand for nutritious options.

Combination Vending Machines

Combination vending machines offer the best of both worlds by combining beverages and snacks in a single unit. These versatile vending machines can hold around 300 to 500 items, making them an excellent choice for locations where both food and drinks are in high demand. Combination vending machines often have customizable configurations, allowing operators to adjust the ratio of snacks to beverages based on customer preferences.

Specialized Vending Machines

In addition to beverage and snack vending machines, there are specialized options for specific products. For example, there are vending machines for fresh fruits, hot beverages like coffee and tea, and even chilled meals. The capacity of these machines can vary greatly, depending on the product being sold and the size of the machine. Fresh fruit vending machines may hold 50 or more pieces of fruit, while coffee vending machines can typically store several hundred cups' worth of coffee beans and related supplies.

-- Visit our Vending Machine Slots piece to find out about capacity of other vending machine types. --

How many cans do different vending machine models hold?

Drink vending machines with a capacity of between 300 and 400 cans are considered medium-sized. The most frequent size you'll usually encounter is this one. More than 700 cans can fit in the larger drink vending machines, which range in size.

MODEL

CANS

HEIGHT

WIDTH

MACHINE TYPE

FAA30LRT7NY

Slim can (53mm): 595
Wide can (66mm): 450
PET bottle (66 mm): 270

1,830 mm

1,181 mm

Can and PET Bottle Beverage Vending Machine

 

Evoke Elevator Refrigerated Merchandiser

Varies with tray configuration

72" (183 cm)

41" (104 cm)

Cold Beverage Vending Machine

Vendo V-621

240 bottles, 544 cans

72" (183 cm)

32.50" (82.55 cm)

Cold Drink Vending Machine

Evoke Series 10-Selection Drink Vending Machine

500–12 oz. Can 240, 20 oz. Bottle

72" (183 cm)

31.25" (74 cm)

Drink Vending Machine

Vendo 540

540 cans and bottles

72" (183 cm)

39.00" (99cm)

Cold Drink Vending Machine

Royal RVV-500

10-250 ml. cans, 8-12 oz. cans, and 7-20 oz. cans

72" (183 cm)

39.00" (99cm)

Cold Drink Vending Machine

Royal 282

270 12-oz. Cans

72" (183 cm)

31.00" (78.74cm)

Cold Drink Vending Machine

Royal 552

552+ 12 oz. Cans

72" (183 cm)

37.00" (93.98 cm)

Cold Drink Vending Machine

Royal 650

12 oz. cans to 24 oz. bottles

72.00" (183 cm)

37.00 (93.98 cm)

Live Display Drink Machine

 

The importance of vending machine capacity for restocking

When it comes to vending machines, capacity refers to the number of products a machine can hold at any given time. While it may seem like a trivial detail, the capacity of a vending machine plays a crucial role in ensuring customer satisfaction and maximizing profits for operators. Let's explore some of the reasons why vending machine capacity for restocking should not be overlooked:

Meeting Customer Demand

Imagine visiting a vending machine during your lunch break, only to find that it is nearly empty. Frustrating, right? Insufficient vending machine capacity - just as poor product selection - can lead to this disappointing experience for customers. By ensuring ample capacity for restocking, operators can meet customer demand and avoid losing potential sales. Nobody likes encountering an empty machine when they're craving a tasty treat or desperately in need of a caffeine fix.

Reducing Downtime

One of the significant challenges that vending machine operators face is minimizing downtime. Restocking a vending machine takes time and effort, and the frequency of restocking should be kept to a minimum to avoid disrupting operations. By increasing vending machine capacity, operators can reduce the frequency of restocking trips, thereby minimizing downtime and ensuring a smooth experience for both users and operators.

Expanding Product Variety

Having ample vending machine capacity allows operators to offer a wider variety of products. With limited capacity, operators are forced to choose between offering a larger quantity of a few items or a smaller quantity of several products. However, with increased capacity, operators have the freedom to diversify their product offerings and cater to a broader range of customer preferences. From popular snacks to beverages to personal care items, a vending machine with a large capacity can become a one-stop shop for customers' needs.

Flexibility in Pricing

Another advantage of vending machines with high capacity is the flexibility they provide in pricing options. With larger capacity, operators can experiment with pricing different products at varying levels to gauge customer response and optimize profits. This freedom to adjust prices based on product popularity or seasonal trends can be a game-changer for vending machine operators looking to maximize their revenue.

Tips for Maximizing Vending Machine Efficiency

a puzzled kid looking at a soda vending machine

To get the most out of your vending machine and provide an excellent experience for your customers, here are some tips for maximizing efficiency:

1. Optimize Inventory: Regularly analyze sales data and adjust the product assortment to match customer preferences. Focus on high-demand items and replace slow-moving products with more popular choices.

2. Efficient Restocking: Establish a restocking schedule that ensures products are available without excess inventory. By maintaining a regular restocking routine, you can avoid stockouts and accommodate higher volumes of products.

3. Strategic Placement: Consider the location of your vending machine. Choose areas with high foot traffic and ensure the machine is easily visible and accessible. Placing the machine near complementary products or services can also increase its usage.

4. Keep it Fresh: Regularly check expiration dates on perishable items and remove expired products promptly. An appealing and fresh selection will attract more customers.

5. Utilize Technology: Invest in vending machine management software that tracks sales data, inventory levels, and cash transactions. Advanced tech features and smart vending machines can provide valuable insights and help streamline operations.

Conclusion

Vending machines are a convenient way to access snacks and beverages on the go. While the capacity of a vending machine varies depending on factors such as size, design, product packaging, and inventory management, the average machine can hold anywhere from 80 to 500 items. By understanding the different types of vending machines and implementing efficient strategies, operators can maximize their capacity and provide a satisfying experience for customers.

Whether you're considering starting a vending machine business or simply have a curiosity about these ubiquitous machines, we hope this article has provided you with valuable insights. So, next time you grab a can of your favorite soda from a vending machine, take a moment to appreciate the thought and planning that go into providing that convenience. Cheers!

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