Finding A Location

NEED HELP FINDING THE PERFECT ICE VENDING LOCATION?

The search for the perfect location can be one of the biggest obstacles in starting your new business. This decision will affect your profits directly. However, you do not have to do this alone. Everest is here to help.

First, you need to decide whether you can find the location yourself, or if you will contract a professional to do it for you. There are pros and cons to both. Some people like the freedom to find their own perfect location themselves – many machine owners do. Regardless of which route you go with, you will find more helpful information below to get you started.

One of the most important (and at first glance, daunting) decisions to make when starting your own ice and water vending business is where to put the machine itself! If you want to find your new machine location yourself, Everest has many ways we can help. You can start by reading our blog entry on how to find your own ice vending machine location. We go in-depth with some tips and tricks, location examples, and how to approach potential businesses. CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO THE LOCATION FINDING BLOG.

We’ve helped hundreds of people just like you get into the ice and water vending business, and we can help you. Take a look at our in-depth video that talks about finding the perfect ice vending machine location. With almost 1,000 machines both in the US and internationally, we have the knowledge in finding the best location that allows to help you find that perfect home run location.

While some are lucky enough to land the perfect location on the first try, others have taken a few weeks to find the right location. That’s okay too! Finding the right location is a process that you can’t rush. Of the hundreds of machines we’ve sold and shipped, we have never shipped to someone without a location – so you can rest assured that you’ll find yours, too.

As you zero in on the right spot for your machine, here are a few helpful tips to keep you on the path to success:

Your customers are already going to car washes, convenience and grocery stores, and shopping centers. Blue-collar employees will ice down their coolers on their way to work. Apartment complex residents will appreciate the convenience of a nearby Ice Vending Machine when they have parties. Boaters and campers use LOTS of ice. Think about who needs ice the most frequently, and where they spend their time. Visibility and accessibility are the two most important factors. Don’t drive by a great location just because it isn’t a convenience or grocery store. In fact, most of our customers’ machines aren’t installed at locations that already sell ice.

Regardless of the payment arrangement you decide on with the landlord moving forward, a good way to get started is to let it be known that you are looking to lease, and compensate them for the use of their land. Don’t forget to mention that it could potentially draw thousands of people to the location every year! If your landlord runs a business, this is just more potential income for them, too. These are customers that your machine will bring to their place of business, without any marketing or advertising costs! This adds serious value to your business proposition, and it could help you find a location more quickly.

You can get power and water to your machine one of two ways: either running new utilities to the machine or metering the water and electricity (Everest machines DO NOT self-meter) that has been used and reimbursing your landlord accordingly. Local plumbers and electricians also frequently offer free estimates on hooking up your machine which can help you decide which method will be best for you in the long term.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Whether you’re closing in on the perfect spot for your new ice vending machine, or just starting your search, here are some answers to frequently asked questions that will help you get the perfect location for you to start making serious profits. Click the questions below for answers.

Yes. It’s the same with all manufacturers. While you are responsible for finding the location at which you want to open your new business, don’t worry – we have the tools to help.

All it takes is a little legwork. Think about your city or town. Ice & water vending machines do best when placed where they are visible and accessible – as in, visible from the road and accessible so that your customers can pull up to the machine. You also want to put your business where the people are. I’m sure you can think of a few locations already.

You can choose between a simple monthly fee of around $200-$300/mo. or offer to split the profits with them. 15%-20% is typical. 

Everest Ice & Water machines draw a crowd! Your machine will pull potentially thousands of new customers onto their property that they don’t need to advertise or market to. Furthermore, they will also get paid for a small 20 square foot section of their property that it’s probably safe to assume they aren’t being paid for currently. It’s no extra effort on their part, only extra income!

That’s up to you. Everest has a Sample Lease you can use for guidance. Just ask your Everest Equipment Specialist for a copy or click this to download.

A little money always helps! A lot of our customers pay a small “signing bonus” of $500 or so and offer 2-3 months’ rent upfront. This gives your new landlord incentive to get things going!

Everest machines are the most energy-efficient on the market. Our machines are plug-and-play and do not require expensive on-site assembly. You just need 220v/30 AMP power and a ½” water line. There’s also a ¾” simple gravity drain that can be run into a “french” drain or simply into a flower bed. 

Electricians and plumbers often offer free estimates. Make an arrangement to meet them at the location and tell them what you need.

An Everest machine can be installed on existing pavement, concrete, or asphalt. It has leveling legs and just needs to be stable, level, and supported. You can have a small concrete pad poured if there’s no readily available location.

We deliver a machine that can be ready in short order. We deliver on a truck with a liftgate. The machine has been fully assembled at our factory, where we have quality control, and not delivered in pieces to be assembled by the manufacturer onsite. Just pull the machine off the liftgate with the pallet jack and position it. Your plumber and electrician will make the simple connections. You can make ice the same day it’s delivered!

Of course! Anything you can do to call attention to your new business is wonderful – whether it’s having a Grand Opening, setting up signage, or handing out coupons as an incentive. Everest sells several marketing packages that can help you with this. These packages include flags, custom banners, free vend coupons, EZ-UP tents, and everything else you need to get off to a great start.

Helpful Resources

Here are some helpful tools and guides to help you on your journey in finding the best location for your Everest ice and water vending machine.

Location finding
starter kit

With over 700 machines worldwide, Everest knows a thing or two on how to find the perfect location. We have put together some documentation for you to assist you in your search for that home-run location! Click the button below to download a sample lease agreement, an Everest Summit informational handout you can leave behind with potential location owners, and an Everest Summit spec sheet.

Click here to download starter kit

Finding the
perfect location blog

Click the button below to be taken to our blog where we go further in-depth about finding the perfect ice vending location. It contains more information on how to find the perfect location including a listing of potential locations you can visit as well as some photographs of current locations where there are Everest machines.

Click here to go to blog

How to talk to a potential location owner

Approaching potential location owners can feel intimidating, but think of it this way: you’re offering them free money every month for 20 square feet (half of a parking spot) of their space!

Setting your machine up for success

So you’ve purchased your custom-built vending machine – now it’s time to get ready. Organization is one of the greatest keys to success, so the more preparation you do before your equipment arrives, the faster you can start earning additional income!