Vending Solutions

Great-tasting food, cold drinks, and coffee are a must in any break room. But, did you know that there are several other things that every Baltimore, MD break room should have?

Adding some or all of the following categories can turn a bare-bones space into a break room that your employees will want to visit daily. 

The Not-so-Extra Extras

Paper Products

Basic supplies such as napkins, paper towels, eating utensils, and plates, bowls, and cups should be offered and easy to find. After visiting the vending machine for an afternoon snack, employees shouldn’t have to go on a hunt to find a fork or knife or a napkin.

More Break Room Flavor

Almost everyone adds some type of additional seasoning to their food. For snacks or meals, that often means salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, mayo, or hot sauce. The key is to offer the condiments that go best with your break room’s menu.

Coffee Station

Unless your Baltimore, MD employees only drink their coffee black, a variety of coffee additions should be available. Common options include sugar, artificial sweeteners, alternative sweeteners like honey, creamer and non-dairy creamer options, and flavorings. Paper products such as stir sticks, cups, lids, and coffee sleeves will make sure everyone has what they need.

The Break Room Space

A break room should not only be a separate space from the rest of the workplace, but it should also feel different. Let’s look at two important components.

Seating

Offer multiple types of seating that encourage conversation, a coffee or meal break, or a few minutes of relaxation. That might include different areas with sofas, tables and chairs, booths or even a rocking chair or two. And don’t forget to offer easily accessible outlets or charging stations.

Break Room Décor

Lack of color or bland colors have been shown to make people feel sad or gloomy, and that is especially true at work where access to the outdoors can be limited. Yellows evoke friendliness and cheer while blues and greens create a sense of peace and tranquility. One word of caution; before running to the paint store, remember that colors affect people differently.

To make your break room more appealing and relaxing, add natural lighting and décor such as plants, wood, or water. Plants are especially functional as they help clean the office air too.

Small additions or changes in your Baltimore, MD break room can make a big difference. But you don’t have to do it alone. We can help. For more information about our vending services or to update your current space or menu, please call SunDun Office Refreshments at 800.466.2731.

Have you been thinking about offering your employees drinks and snacks on-site but aren’t sure how? Adding one or more vending machines is a smart solution. Unlike vending machines of 20 years ago, today’s machines are high-tech machines that can be filled with various sought-after snacks and beverages.

While a vending provider should be there to answer your questions, it’s helpful to think about several things beforehand.

Where should you put the vending machines?

The first thing you should consider is where the high-traffic areas are in your Fairfax, VA office or facility. To improve employee access to the vending machines, each machine should be placed in an area where employees often go. That space might be a break room, locker room, or specific entrance or hallway.

There is, however, one caveat.

Even in often used areas, try to avoid spaces that will disrupt the flow of movement if blocked. For example, your break room might be a large welcoming space that is busy during breaks and lunch. But placing the vending machine next to the main entrance of the room can cause a backup at the door and block employees from entering or leaving.

Placement and Permits

In addition to traffic flow, it is important to consider if the necessary outlets and other utilities are where you want to put the vending machine and whether the machine’s measurements match the space available. Realizing that your new vending machine is half an inch too wide at the install is incredibly stressful.

You’ll also want to check with the building owner or manager about potential permit requirements. In some locations, placing a vending machine that your company receives a profit from may require added permits to make everything legal. Researching it upfront will save time and stress down the line.

Which products should you offer?

The answer to this question can be as unique as the people who will visit your Fairfax, VA vending machines. Students who need a healthy snack on their way to class may be looking for something different than an employee who needs to grab a quick lunch before their next meeting. Or maybe your geographical area prefers one brand of soda over another.

Discovering the types of snacks and beverages your employees want to see has another benefit. Employees are more likely to stay on-site during the workday instead of leaving to grab that bite to eat. Staying on-site has less visible but significant benefits, such as spontaneous conversations that lead to creative problem solving and increased productivity.

Now that you know a bit more about adding snack, beverage, and vending machines to your Fairfax, VA location, let us help you take the next step. For more information, please call SunDun Office Refreshments at 800.466.2731. We look forward to hearing from you!