Hey there, Vendpreneur!
Welcome to Becoming a Vendpreneur—where every week I help you navigate the challenges of running a vending machine business, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your operation.
This week, I want to share why beer and liquor reps are the perfect fit for owning nightlife vending machines. 🍻
If you're one, here’s why you should dive in:
You’ve got the industry connections.
You know the nightlife culture.
You have the operational skills.
You’re a pro at sales & marketing.
You’re familiar with the rules and regulations.
(By the way, I just dropped a video on YouTube about why nightlife vending makes more money than snacks. If you’re still on the fence, check it out above!)
And don’t forget to Subscribe!
But before we jump into more details, I want to share a few quick updates on my nightlife vending franchise, Pod Plug:
🚀 Business Updates
🌆 Connected with 8 potential franchisees across major markets including Columbus (OH), Vegas, Denver, Cleveland, Atlanta, Phoenix, Nashville, and Orlando. One prospect has scheduled their 3rd conversation with me for next week – already 40% through our qualification process!
📧 Our franchise outreach emails are hitting the mark with 4 positive responses daily
Example of a qualified cold email reply (and yes, I booked the call) 🔥
💰 Knocked it out of the park with 2 investor meetings - they're showing serious interest
🎬 Second YouTube video now live!
🎓 Got our campus ambassador initiative off the ground
💻 Franchise sales CRM is 85% finished - those drip campaign messages are damn time-intensive
📹 Recorded a video for our franchise website…launching next week!
2am recording sesh 🎥
📈 We’re officially launching our next corporate-owned market in Jackson, MS!
Mystery bags have arrived in Mississippi! ⁉️
Now, let’s dive into this week’s newsletter. 👇
🔗 Best Links
Curated picks for Vendpreneurs
📱 Top Reads
AI salad vending machines promote healthy eating in Japan (Horti Daily)
People are worried ‘Lucky Box’ machines are giving kids a taste of gambling. (The Guardian)
😱 Trending Now
Every time I’m in a bar or club, I try to speak to the managers and alcohol sales reps (if onsite).
Beer and liquor sales reps know the crowd, the key players, and already have the trust.
And they earn anywhere from $50k to $80k a year, commissions included. 💸
If I were them (with that MASSIVE network), I’d start a nightlife vending machine business on the side.
Here’s why they’re perfect for this…👇
P.S. If you’re reading this and wondering if the nightlife vending business is also the right fit for you, keep reading till the end. 👀
Reason #1: They Have Industry Connections 🍻
Beer and liquor sales reps already know the right people: bar owners, general managers, and the crowd.
These connections make it way easier to place vending machines in top locations.
They understanding how these owners operate and make decisions.
They understand the flow of nightlife and where demand is highest.
They know high-traffic spots where products (besides alcohol) like vapes, Zyns, and more actually sell.
🗞️ PS. If you're sitting there thinking, “But I don’t have a sales background... I can’t do that.” You don’t need one. I put together a cold calls guide that shows you exactly how to approach venues like a pro.
Reason #2: They Understand Nightlife Culture 💃
Beer and liquor sales reps know the nightlife scene inside and out.
Their bar and club experience gives them insider knowledge on peak hours.
They understand event nights, busy weekends, and demand patterns.
They keep machines stocked with the right night-out essentials at the right time.
This kind of knowledge isn’t something you can guess.
It’s something they’ve lived.
Reason #3: They Have Operational Know-How 📦
Managing vending machines means staying on top of inventory, restocking, and suppliers.
Beer and liquor sales reps are already great at this.
They know how to manage supply chains.
They know how to move fast and stay organized in busy environments.
Their logistics skills can help keep machines full and running with no downtime.
This kind of efficiency is a must in nightlife venues where demand is high and turnover is fast.
Reason #4: They Have Marketing Skills 💻
Beer and liquor sales reps know how to sell.
They’re experts in promoting products and understanding what customers want.
These skills transfer perfectly to vending.
Their customer insight helps them stock machines with products people actually buy.
They know how to market products and drive traffic to a machine.
They can use social media and digital tools to create hype.
Nightlife vending is growing fast, and reps with sales skills are ready to lead the way.
Reason #5: They Have Regulatory Expertise ⚖️
Beer and liquor reps already deal with alcohol… one of the most heavily regulated products out there.
That means they’re no strangers to rules, permits, and compliance.
This gives them a major advantage in the vending world, especially with age-restricted products.
They know how to follow laws around selling restricted items (like vapes).
They’re used to posting licenses and making sure everything’s legal.
They’ve handled alcohol permits and compliance checks before.
Note: State laws are subject to change. Consult an attorney for verification.
What’s your comfort level with local vending regulations?
🧐 Not a beer or liquor sales rep? No problem!
You don’t need to be one to crush it in the vending business.
The skills? You can totally learn them.
The resources? They’re out there for you.
The experience? That’s what takes time.
That’s exactly why I’ve franchised my vending company, Pod Plug — a shortcut for busy people like you.
I’m not just handing you a roadmap.
I’m giving you the machines, the connections, and all the support you need.
But this isn’t for everyone.
To get started, you’ll either need sales or bar/nightlife experience.
If you’ve got that and you’re ready to build a profitable business…
And That’s a Wrap!
Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter.
Hit reply and let me know what you found most helpful this week—I read every single reply and I’d love to hear from you!
See you next Saturday!
-Ethan
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