How to run AI vending
Your free guide to AI vending. Made for the people we met at the franchising expo. A 10-minute read.
We met briefly at the franchising expo. Thanks for saying hello.
This guide shows you how AI vending works, in plain words. You will see what you do each week, and which questions to ask before you start.
Take 10 minutes. Then send Perkd your questions. No pressure.
What is AI vending?
AI vending lets shoppers serve themselves. A camera sees what they take, and they pay by card. No shopkeeper is needed.
- Tap. The shopper taps a card on the reader.
- Open. The door unlocks.
- Take. The shopper picks up what they want.
- Go. They close the door. The camera sees what they took, and the card is charged.
See it for yourself. The easiest way to understand AI vending is to watch it work. Ask Perkd if you can visit a live cabinet.
Words to know
- Licensee
- You. You buy the machine and run it, on your own or with help from Perkd.
- Host or site
- The place where your machine stands, for example a café, gym or office.
- Restock
- Putting new products into your machine.
- Hands On / Hands Off
- Your two ways to start with Perkd. See the next section.
Hands On or Hands Off: which one fits you?
There are two ways to start. Pick the one that fits your time and your style.
| Topic | Hands On | Hands Off |
|---|---|---|
| Day-to-day work | You do it | Perkd helps you |
| Products | You choose and buy them | Perkd helps |
| Locations | You find the spot | Perkd helps |
| Restocking | You do it | Perkd helps |
| Deliveries | You organise them | Perkd helps |
| Great for | People who like to learn by doing | People who want help with the daily work |
Not sure yet? Ask yourself: how much time do I want to give each week? Email Perkd with your answer. We will walk you through both options.
Ask Perkd: In Hands Off, which jobs does Perkd do, and which jobs stay with me? Ask for the answer in writing.
How is AI vending different from traditional vending?
| Topic | Traditional vending | AI vending |
|---|---|---|
| Payment | You pay with cash or a card, often by choosing a code for one slot. | You tap a card. The door opens. |
| Item choice | You pick one code at a time. | You open the door and take what you want. |
| Theft and security | The cabinet is locked. It is hard to see what happened later. | A camera watches the door, so a purchase can be checked. |
| Restocking insight | You often learn what sold when you stand in front of the machine. | You can see what sold, so you know what to bring next time. |
| Shopper experience | One item, then the machine is ready for the next code. | Take what you want, close the door, and go. |
How do the cabinet and the apps help?
The AI vending cabinet works with Perkd mobile apps. There is an app for merchants and an app for customers. The customer app is optional.
The apps make it easy to track sales, stock and activity.
What does AI vending look like in a laundry?
A self-service laundry runs AI vending in the laundry room.
Shoppers pay by card or Apple Pay. Each purchase is recorded with door camera video, so it can be checked.
Quick answers
What is AI vending?
AI vending. Shoppers tap a card, open the door, take what they want and close the door. A camera sees what they took, and the card is charged.
What is the difference between Hands On and Hands Off?
Hands On means you do the day-to-day work. Hands Off means Perkd helps with products, locations, restocking and deliveries.
What temperature does the PF61 keep?
0–10°C. It is made for room-temperature places, like inside a café, office or gym.
Can the PF61 go outdoors?
The PF61 is made for room-temperature places. Check with Perkd before you plan a spot outdoors, or in a very hot or cold area.
How much is a PF61?
$4,700 ex GST per machine. Ask Perkd what is included, and about any other fees.
Can I see one working?
Yes. Email Perkd and ask for a time.
Want the rest of this guide?
Send your details and the rest of the guide opens on this page.
Thank you. The rest of the guide is open below.
Request financial info
Ask Perkd to follow up with financial info.
Someone at Perkd will follow up.
What is the PF61?
The PF61 is what Perkd licensees use for AI vending.
| Temperature inside | 0–10°C (cool, for chilled products) |
|---|---|
| Where it goes | Room-temperature places, like inside a café, office or gym |
| How shoppers pay | Tap a card, take items, the camera works out the charge |
| Licensee price | $4,700 ex GST per machine |
Good to know: The PF61 is made for room-temperature places. Check with Perkd before you plan a spot outdoors, or in a very hot or cold area.
Questions to check with Perkd
- What size is the machine? Will it fit through the door at my site?
- What power does it need? Is a normal power point enough?
- Does it need internet or a mobile signal at the site?
- What warranty and support come with it?
- Are there any monthly fees on top of the machine price?
Where should the cabinet stand?
Look for an indoor place where people stop, wait or work.
Places to look at
- Cafés and food shops
- Gyms and sports clubs
- Offices and work sites
- Waiting areas, like clinics
- Outside a retail shop
- Suburb shopping square
Spot checklist
- Indoors, at room temperature
- People walk past every day
- The owner is happy to host it
- A power point is close by
- Flat, strong floor and room for the door
- You can get in to restock
Ask, do not assume: every site has its own rules. See the site questions below.
What should you put in it?
Your PF61 keeps products at 0–10°C. So plan products that suit a cool cabinet, such as chilled drinks and fresh snacks.
Choose products
- Who visits? What would they buy?
- Start small. Learn what sells.
- Fresh food needs more care.
- Ask Perkd what works well.
Restock checklist for Hands On
- Check what sold.
- Bring the right products.
- Remove items near use-by.
- New stock at the back.
- Wipe the glass and shelves.
- Close the door. Check it is cold.
Hands Off: Perkd helps with products, locations, restocking and deliveries. Ask Perkd how often the machines are visited, and how you will see what is happening.
What should you ask before you start?
These are questions, not promises. Every site and every person is different. Ask Perkd, and get the answers in writing.
Power and site
- What power does the machine need at my site?
- Who pays for the power it uses?
- What happens if the power goes off?
Permission and permits
- Does the site owner or landlord need to agree in writing?
- Do I need a council permit or licence to sell food or drinks there?
- What insurance should I have?
Money and fees
- What do I pay up front? What is included in the $4,700 ex GST?
- Are there monthly or per-sale fees? How much?
- Does the host get a fee or a share?
- How and when am I paid for sales?
Help and contract
- What help does Perkd give in Hands On? In Hands Off?
- What happens if the machine breaks?
- How long is the agreement? Can I leave early?
Smart move: Get independent advice from an accountant and a lawyer before you sign any agreement.
What is your plan?
Fill this in, then send it to Perkd.
- My name and city
- I like: Hands On / Hands Off / Not sure yet
- Time I can give each week
- A spot I have in mind
- Who visits that spot?
- Indoors, at room temperature? Yes / No / Not sure
- Power point close by? Yes / No / Not sure
- Products that could sell there
- Do I know the site owner? Yes / No
- My top 3 questions for Perkd
What is your next step?
Pick the easy way to start.
Email Perkd. Send your question, your plan, or the word call.