Are you familiar with the Cupcake ATM from Sprinkles Cupcake Bakery? Better than that, have you tasted their cupcakes?
Last week, we happened to drive past the Sprinkles Cupcake Bakery and Cupcake ATM at The Domain® in Austin, TX. Finding it was a pleasant surprise. Then we got a parking spot just a few doors away. That was a second pleasant surprise, especially so, given how busy The Domain® can be.
As we walked up to the Sprinkles store, there were three people seated nearby enjoying their Sprinkles cupcakes. We spoke with them. They were pleased with their purchases and cheerfully eating their cupcakes.
The pink Cupcake ATM was to the left of the store entrance. The ATM was easy to use. The instructions were uncomplicated and intuitive. Making a selection was a cinch. It was fast and easy to pay by credit card. Our cupcakes were delivered quickly in a sturdy, protective box.
The best was yet to come. The cupcakes were moist and delicious. The icing was dreamily smooth and a perfect taste compliment to the cupcake. What a treat!
In October 2016, my blog posting “Food Should Be Fun” mentioned the Hey Cupcake vending machine at Lakeline Mall, also in the Austin area. That was also a taste treat, using a more traditional vending machine for merchandising and delivery.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED:
1. Get out of your office. You need to find the unique products being sold in vending machines in your local market area. If they’re doing it, why can’t you do it? Odds are that many of those innovators are not vending operators (in the traditional sense).
2. Identify products you are not currently offering. What else can you sell at the locations you’re serving? Think about what other products might sell at vending, micro market and onsite foodservice sites. Determine how you can sell and deliver those products. Where can you source those items? Can you sell those products competitively and achieve a “good” penny profit?
Adding new SKU’s and new product categories will drive incremental sales. That means more satisfied customers. They come back and become repeat buyers. Your sales and profits will increase.
After all, it comes down to selling more stuff.
