The Everest Blog

When you think of packaged ice, you probably think of summer. However, this 4 billion dollar industry can provide profit year-round, especially for ice and water vending machine owners. You’re not just selling a commodity, you’re providing convenience – and that’s something people want 24/7, all year long. 

Take a look at some of the best times of year to sell self-serve ice: 

The Grilling Holidays

According to the FDA, 80 percent of packaged ice is purchased between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It makes sense, considering those are both extremely popular holidays for barbecuing and outdoor parties. Father’s Day is also incredibly popular for outdoor cooking, not to mention the biggest grilling holiday of them all: the Fourth of July. 
Ice is critical to keeping food fresh and drinks cold – especially in the summer heat. Staying hydrated in the heat is also incredibly important. Everest ice and water is ideal for customers looking for bulk ice and large amounts of filtered water!

Sell Ice During Football Season

Grilling isn’t just for the summer! Football season starts in September and goes through the winter – and where there is football, there is very often tailgating. Tailgating usually consists of two primary components: grilling and drinking, both of which require a decent amount of ice. 93 percent of tailgaters start cooking after they arrive, so keeping everything fresh and safe beforehand is essential. 
Offering self-serve ice is incredibly helpful to consumers looking for large amounts of ice in order to prepare for game day. Plus, with an eco-friendly Everest VX, customers can vend ice directly into their coolers rather than wasting several plastic bags. This saves the machine owner $0.10 to $0.20 per vend, meaning an even higher profit margin of up to 98 percent.

Wedding Time

People get married year-round, but the most popular time for weddings tends to be from May to October. In fact, for the past five years, October has taken the lead as the most popular wedding month, making up around one-fifth of total weddings annually. Whether it’s a small DIY wedding, or a massive celebration with caterers, a lot of ice is going to be necessary for the refreshments. 

It’s a good idea to have a back-up plan in case the supply runs low and someone needs to buy ice on short notice. An ice vending machine is the fastest, most convenient solution – and it’s available 24/7. That means no worrying about whether or not the store is open, no matter how late the party goes!

Winter Celebrations

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve and every holiday in between, families and friends come together and celebrate. This usually involves lots of food and drinks. Self-serve ice vending offers an easy and accessible option for people who may need more ice. Especially during a time when store hours are limited and unpredictable. 

Plus, since fresh ice is made at the spot it’s purchased, you don’t have to worry about having too much or too little in stock like you would with the outdated method of ice delivery. The ice maker will replenish the ice as it is vended.

Sell Ice All Year Long!

There are so many reasons why we need ice all year long. People have birthdays, parties, and other celebrations no matter what time of year it is. And it’s not just parties – a bag of ice can be used for so many things, from keeping food and drinks cool to providing relief from injury. Ice is always important!
A self-serve ice machine business can be beneficial and profitable any time of year. Meet the needs of your community in every season while you earn passive income by getting started with your ice and water vending business.