A coworking vending machine is one of the simplest coworking amenities you can add. Members get cold drinks and snacks whenever they are in the space, including early mornings, evenings and weekends when nearby cafés are closed. With a fully managed model, you do not buy, stock or repair anything. For a shared office, that small convenience helps a membership feel more complete. This guide covers why it matters, where to put a machine, what to stock, and what to ask any operator before you agree to a placement.
Why a coworking vending machine adds to membership value
People choose a coworking space for the desks, the internet and the community. They stay for the small things that make a long day easier. A snack option that is always open is one of those things, and members notice when it is missing.
It works on members' schedules
Coworking members do not keep the same hours. Freelancers start late, remote workers take calls with other time zones, and founders stay past dinner. A staffed snack counter or a coffee shop down the street only helps during its own hours. A vending machine is available whenever the building is open to members.
It takes a chore off your team
Many shared offices try an honour-system snack shelf or a stocked fridge. Someone has to shop for it, track what sold, chase payment and throw out what expired. A managed machine moves that work to the operator, so your community or front-desk staff can spend their time on members instead of inventory.
It keeps people in the space
When members can grab a drink and a bar without leaving, they lose less time and stay in the flow of their work. It also gives people a natural reason to cross paths in a common area, which supports the community side of coworking.
Vending for coworking: where to place the machine
Placement matters more than most operators of shared spaces expect. A machine tucked into a back hallway gets forgotten. One near the places people already gather tends to get used. Before you pick a spot, walk the space at a few different times of day and watch where people go.
- Near the kitchen or lounge: members already go there for breaks and coffee.
- Visible from the entrance: it signals the amenity to tour guests and new members.
- Away from quiet zones and phone booths: a busy machine draws conversation.
- Close to a suitable power outlet: ask the operator what the machine needs.
- Accessible when the front desk is closed: if members have after-hours access, the machine should too.
- Clear floor space in front: leave room for someone to stand and browse without blocking a path.
If you lease your space, check with your landlord or property manager about placement, power and any building rules before installation. If the space is in a strata building, check with the strata as well.
What to stock for shared office snacks
The right mix depends on who your members are. A space full of developers working late may want different shared office snacks than a space used mostly by consultants who come in for meetings. Good starting categories include:
- Cold beverages, including options without sugar or caffeine
- Chips and salty snacks
- Chocolate bars, candy and cookies
- Nuts and healthy snacks for people who want something lighter
- Gum and mints, which are popular before meetings and calls
- Pastries for members who skip breakfast
Ask members what they want. A short poll in your community channel costs nothing and helps the machine earn its spot. Smartec offers a selection of over 250 items, and the mix is customised for each location. You can browse the product selection, and a registered location can save a list of preferred items on the site.
Features that matter in a shared office
Not every machine suits a modern workspace. Coworking members rarely carry cash, so payment is the first thing to check. Look for:
- Cashless payment: cards, mobile wallets and contactless tap-to-pay.
- Vend sensors: they confirm a product actually dropped, which cuts down on complaints.
- Remote inventory monitoring: the operator can see what is running low without a site visit.
- A secure, locking cabinet: important in a space with many members and guests.
- A screen that can show your content: some machines can display video or promotions, useful for events or member announcements.
Questions to ask before you agree to a placement
Whichever operator you speak with, get clear answers to these before anything is installed:
- Is there any cost to us for the machine, delivery or installation?
- Is there a monthly fee, lease or purchase involved?
- Who restocks the machine, and how is the restocking schedule decided?
- What happens if the machine breaks or a payment fails, and how do we report it?
- Does our location earn a share of sales, and how is that share worked out?
- Can we change the product mix if members ask for something different?
- What are the agreement terms, and what happens if we want the machine removed?
A good operator will answer these plainly. If the answers are vague, ask for them in writing.
How the Smartec model works in Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey
Smartec Vending has been placing smart touchscreen machines at businesses and buildings for over three years. Today we serve Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey, and we are expanding across the Lower Mainland. If your shared office is elsewhere in BC, you can still ask through the contact page.
The machine, delivery and installation are free to the host. There is no purchase, lease or monthly fee. We stock, restock, service and repair the machine, and your location earns a share of the revenue from every sale. That share is discussed for each location. You can read more about how this works on our solutions page or see the kinds of spaces we work with on our locations page.
Getting started
If you run a coworking space or shared office in Burnaby, New Westminster or Surrey and want an always-open snack option for your members, request a free machine. Tell us a little about your space and members through the contact form, and we will talk through placement, products and the revenue share for your location.