Questions we hear most.
If you don't see yours, ask us directly — we'll answer honestly.
How much does a micro-market cost?
For most qualifying facilities, there's no monthly fee and no equipment cost on your end. We finance the equipment, install it, stock it, and earn revenue through product sales. You provide the space and power. Pricing varies by SKU mix, location-specific operating costs, and any subsidy program you choose to offer your team.
What's the minimum employee count?
50 employees on site is the floor where the unit economics actually work for both sides. Below that, you're better served by a vending machine. The sweet spot is 100 to 500. Above 500, we typically split into multiple markets or add smart coolers across the facility.
How long does install take?
Standalone smart-cooler installs run one to two weeks. Open-concept and hybrid markets typically run two to three weeks from signed agreement to first stock — there's a site walk, equipment lead time, and a soft-launch stocking pass. We'll give you a real schedule, not a brochure number.
Open-concept market vs smart cooler — which fits?
Open-concept markets need ~150–250 sq ft of breakroom space and pay back at higher headcounts (200+). Smart coolers fit a vending-machine footprint and work great for offices, smaller manufacturing breakrooms, and outpatient clinics. Hybrid setups blend both — ideal for hospitals and 24/7 facilities.
What's included in the service?
Everything except the floor space and power. Equipment, install, payment systems, restocking, equipment service, payment monitoring, inventory reporting, and SKU re-tuning after the first 30 days based on actual sales. You don't manage vendors or schedules.
Who maintains the market?
We do. Restocking on a cadence that matches your shifts. Equipment serviced when something needs attention. Payment systems monitored. If something breaks, you tell us — you don't open a ticket with a national help desk.
Vending vs. micro-market — when does each win?
Vending machines win at sub-50 headcount, single-shift facilities, or buildings where breakroom space is too tight even for a smart cooler. Micro-markets win once you're 50+ employees with a real shift profile, multi-tenant office buildings, or any facility where employees should have actual food options.
Smart coolers vs. open-concept — what's the real difference?
A smart cooler is one cabinet — tap to unlock, take what you want, get auto-charged. Compact, fits a vending footprint, simpler install. An open-concept market is a full breakroom store — open shelving, glass-front coolers, freezers, and a self-checkout kiosk. Bigger range, bigger install, higher payback at higher headcounts.
We're sub-50 employees. What should we do?
Honestly, a vending machine is probably the right answer. Reach out and we can recommend a vending operator. We don't install micro-markets at sub-50 headcounts — the unit economics don't work and you'd end up disappointed. Better to set the right expectation upfront.
Can we do a multi-site rollout?
Yes — multi-site is one of the things we're set up for. We'll start with a pilot site, learn the SKU mix, then standardize and roll across the rest. Common across hospital systems, multi-plant manufacturers, and corporate office portfolios.
What about hybrid offices? Demand is unpredictable.
Hybrid offices are a fit for smart-cooler-led setups specifically because they handle variable demand without overstocking. We adjust the restocking cadence to your in-office days — Mondays don't have to be barren and Fridays don't have to be overstocked.
How do you handle ROI / usage rate?
We track sales by SKU and by hour and share the data with you. Most properly-sized installs see the bulk of the breakroom population using the market within the first 30 to 45 days. If usage is below what we projected, we'll re-tune the SKU mix and the layout. The market is supposed to fit your team, not the other way around.
What payment systems do you support?
Credit/debit, mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), employee badge, and payroll deduction where the employer wants to enable it. App-based payment with auto-receipt is the default for smart coolers. Cash is not part of modern micro-market payment — every system we install is cashless.
How often do you restock?
Cadence is set to your facility — typically two to three times per week for higher-volume installs, once a week for smaller ones. We adjust the schedule to your shift change times so the shelves aren't empty when third shift rolls in.
What's the contract look like?
Short and readable. We'll walk you through it before anything's signed. Most arrangements are flexible — we'd rather earn the renewal than lock you into something you regret.