How to look for a local partner in the UK for a vending machine business?

[Cheok KH]

Hi, guys. I am new here. We are trying to set up a vending machine business in the UK but since my team and I are not from the UK, we think it would be wise to find a local partner who is interested in this business and also can help the business navigate through the regulations in the UK as it might involve setting up the business, applying for some permits and import/export matters.

Anyone has experience in looking for a suitable co-founder online?

 

[Mark T Jones]

A partner for what exactly- and on what basis?

What are you bringing?

What do you expect them to bring?

 

[Cheok KH]

A partner for what exactly- and on what basis?

What are you bringing?

What do you expect them to bring?

Great questions. My new partner in the UK and I will set up a company in the UK to take care of imports and retailing business there. We aim to bring 24 hours convenience to the UK with foreign snacks, food at affordable price and great tasting. Also some fresh new flavors for the locals.

I will be taking care of the supply chain and exports business from China, Malaysia and Japan.

I would like to have a partner who knows the abouts of food and beverages retailing business and preferably on import matters as well.

All in all, I believe that if you like the idea and have an interest to start a vending machine business. That would be already half way there.

 

[fisicx]

They could set up their own business and just pay you for the vending machines and stock. There is no benefit for them to be your partner.

In any case, you need to come to the UK with the vending machines and do some trials. Even if you did find a potential partner they will want to see and try the products.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

They could set up their own business and just pay you for the vending machines and stock. There is no benefit for them to be your partner.

In any case, you need to come to the UK with the vending machines and do some trials. Even if you did find a potential partner they will want to see and try the products.

I think he means someone to sell and manage there vending machines and foods to become Mr big in a vending uk company

 

[fisicx]

I think he means someone to sell and manage there vending machines and foods to become Mr big in a vending uk company

I know. But it doesn't work like that. Most of the work is finding the location and negotiating the rent. I can get asian snacks from any of the specialist wholesalers and vending machine from a number of places. I don't need @Cheok KH

As an aside, there are some very iffy characters in the vending machine business controlling the best pitches.

 

[Serviceman]

Message me [email protected]

 

[Mark T Jones]

Great questions. My new partner in the UK and I will set up a company in the UK to take care of imports and retailing business there. We aim to bring 24 hours convenience to the UK with foreign snacks, food at affordable price and great tasting. Also some fresh new flavors for the locals.

I will be taking care of the supply chain and exports business from China, Malaysia and Japan.

I would like to have a partner who knows the abouts of food and beverages retailing business and preferably on import matters as well.

All in all, I believe that if you like the idea and have an interest to start a vending machine business. That would be already half way there.

Have you done market research to demonstrate that people (which people?) Want these new flavours?

Vending in the UK isn't a particularly sophisticated market - hot food vending hasn't really taken off anything like it has in other countries.

 

[Cheok KH]

Have you done market research to demonstrate that people (which people?) Want these new flavours?

Vending in the UK isn't a particularly sophisticated market - hot food vending hasn't really taken off anything like it has in other countries.

Yup. I have done some research online but looking to do survey in the UK once I found a partner there. It wouldnt be a typical place-and-sell type of vending machine business.

Hot food vending is one of the things I would want to get more info on. I have seen really great machines for hot food vending in China.

 

[Cheok KH]

I know. But it doesn't work like that. Most of the work is finding the location and negotiating the rent. I can get asian snacks from any of the specialist wholesalers and vending machine from a number of places. I don't need @Cheok KH

As an aside, there are some very iffy characters in the vending machine business controlling the best pitches.

We will open up a store and place the machines inside. Not to go with the typical place-and-sell kinda of vending machine business.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Yup. I have done some research online but looking to do survey in the UK once I found a partner there. It wouldnt be a typical place-and-sell type of vending machine business.

Hot food vending is one of the things I would want to get more info on. I have seen really great machines for hot food vending in China.

I'd suggest you do research before finding a partner. Then you will have a proposition to sell.

I'm aware that in-store vending has traction in some countries, but to date it has virtually none in the UK - several have tried and failed (there may also be successes - your research will show)

 

[fisicx]

We will open up a store and place the machines inside. Not to go with the typical place-and-sell kinda of vending machine business.

again, I can do this without you. I don’t need a partner to do this.

In any case, this type of vending isn’t popular in the UK.

 

[Cheok KH]

I'd suggest you do research before finding a partner. Then you will have a proposition to sell.

I'm aware that in-store vending has traction in some countries, but to date it has virtually none in the UK - several have tried and failed (there may also be successes - your research will show)

Thanks for the input. I will do further research on this.

 

[Gecko001]

We will open up a store and place the machines inside. Not to go with the typical place-and-sell kinda of vending machine business.

A shop where there is no interaction with humans at all?

 

[Nathanto]

A shop where there is no interaction with humans at all?

As a customer, that to me would be the perfect food shop...

 

[fisicx]

As a customer, that to me would be the perfect food shop...

I suspect you are in the minority. However should such a shop open up in your town would you really want the same processed food everyday? Would the local all use the shop for their takeaway every day?

I can imagine this might work on a busy station with thousand of travellers passing through each day but probably not.

I was at Cologne station last year and the Asian foodie place was serving fresh hot noodle meals every few seconds. Interaction was limited to saying the meal number and tapping my card.

 

[Nathanto]

I suspect you are in the minority.

No argument there, I'm really not a people person.

However should such a shop open up in your town would you really want the same processed food everyday? Would the local all use the shop for their takeaway every day?

Yes, for lunch I would but not for dinner. I eat lunch for sustenance not pleasure and typically have a ham and cheese sandwich at least five days out of seven, practically every single week of the year. It's quick and simple to make and let's me get back to something more interesting that I'd rather be doing.

Some days I'll be feeling rash and add some mayo and if feeling particularly reckless I may push the boat out and turn it into a toasted sandwich. If feeling really extravagant I've even been known to use Focaccia bread.

the Asian foodie place was serving fresh hot noodle meals every few seconds.

I actually envisaged that this would be like the food courts you get in shopping centres in every city but with vending machines instead of little counters manned by people. So there would be a choice of different hot foods like pizza, burgers, noodles, toasted sandwiches, baked potatoes etc. but maybe that's not what the OP has in mind?

In a high traffic area with quick, reliable machines and priced correctly, this idea could be food for thought.

 

[Radu]

Hi, guys. I am new here. We are trying to set up a vending machine business in the UK but since my team and I are not from the UK, we think it would be wise to find a local partner who is interested in this business and also can help the business navigate through the regulations in the UK as it might involve setting up the business, applying for some permits and import/export matters.

Anyone has experience in looking for a suitable co-founder online?

Unfortunately, the vending machine industry it's really small in the UK. It's a small island with quick access to big cities, hence the uninterest.
What sort of vending business you'd like to introduce to the UK?

 

[Cheok KH]

Unfortunately, the vending machine industry it's really small in the UK. It's a small island with quick access to big cities, hence the uninterest.
What sort of vending business you'd like to introduce to the UK?

Hello, Radu. For now, yes but I want to change the experience of using a vending machine in Europe. We will be getting the latest machines from China and Japan where these machines are fully developed to explore its full potentials.

 

[fisicx]

Hello, Radu. For now, yes but I want to change the experience of using a vending machine in Europe. We will be getting the latest machines from China and Japan where these machines are fully developed to explore its full potentials.

The machines aren’t important. Doing the market research will test viability of the business plan. I can do that and import the machines myself. I don’t need you.

If you want to set up a vending machine business in the uk and Europe you need to be here yourself.