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Ask the average U.S. consumer if they ever saw a credit card reader on a vending machine, and chances are they’ll say no.
But if they’re a frequent flier, chances are they’ll say yes. Airports are exposing more consumers to credit card vending than any other venue these days. Progressive vending operators have targeted airports for credit card readers since these venues have exceptionally high traffic and retail prices are high to begin with.
From the vending operator’s perspective, getting an airport vending contract takes vision. After all, it takes a visionary to invest in cashless vending, especially in today’s economy.
Right now, the conventional wisdom holds that the cost is too high to justify the investment in card readers.
This is why visionaries like Mack Wilbourn, owner of MJW Vending in Atlanta, Ga., are needed. The 64-year-old entrepreneur became a successful fast food retailer by taking risks in the first four decades of his business career. While many veteran vending operators are shy about testing new vending technology, Wilbourn doesn’t wince.
“It has given us a new way of servicing the customer in the airport,” Wilbourn said of the credit card readers and the remote monitoring system that supports them.
Credit card readers: A turning point
The introduction of state-of-the-art credit card readers that prompt the consumer with touchscreen graphics and flash animation marks a turning point for Wilbourn. Investing the money, time and energy to develop this pioneering move, which has captured the attention of some national vend product manufacturers, was made possible with the support of a committed team under the direction of a retail foodservice veteran.