November 2022 - 40

and attract talent, we're seeing a lot of
clients choosing to offer it not only in
the traditional white-collar locations
but also in manufacturing sites. "
Sirness Coffee Services was the
Customer-facing technology
division hit hardest by the work-fromhome
movement resulting from the
pandemic. What was four routes prepandemic
was immediately reduced
to two, but the business is slowly
rebounding as employees return.
Bean-to-cup and portion pack
single-cup brewers that allow
employees to choose from dozens of
coffee-based drinks at the press of a
button have been the trend for years
and are especially popular to please the
varied tastes of unpredictable mixes
and headcounts of hybrid workers on
demand from day to day.
These types of brewers, featuring
locally roasted fresh-brewed coffee are
also a popular way to deliver quality,
coffeehouse-caliber hot beverages
around-the-clock in micro markets.
" It gives a micro market-plus kind
of feel, especially for those who have
converted from vending, to have
coffee too, " Nesser commented.
TRIED-AND-TRUE VENDING
The pandemic reduced Sirness' vending
machine count from 2,000 to its current
1,400 in operation, but the silver lining
is that while many were no longer
needed, others were replaced by
micro market conversions, which is
decidedly a win-win for the operator
and its customers. The company has
nearly 100 micro markets in operation
... and counting.
While micro markets are the retail
format of choice for more and more
locations, vending remains the right
fit for many. That includes schools
- a sector in which Sirness specializes
and has become regarded as a trusted
expert and partner.
" We know the state and federal
nutritional rules and regulations for
serving healthy vending machine
40 Automatic Merchandiser * November 2022
Longtime staff members Samantha
DeMuth and Theresa Hook manage
office functions and keep things
running smoothly.
is equally important to Sirness as
the backend operational tools that
enhance and drive its efficiency. All of
its vending machines offer the
convenience of credit, debit and
mobile payment. If an issue arises, the
company's customer service department
is open 24/7 to address it.
Sirness Vending's My Vending
OPERATION PROFILE
Sirness Vending
Services
Founded: 1989
Headquarters: Rochester, NY
Website: www.sirness.com
Number of routes: 18
Number of acquisitions: 4
Number of vending machines:
1,400
Number of of micro markets: 98
Technology providers: Crane,
Global Connect, Cantaloupe,
ECRS, Vendors Exchange,
Verizon
Distributors: Vistar, Frito-Lay,
Pepsi, Coca-Cola Northeast,
Wright Beverage, J. Polep,
Balkan Beverage
items in area schools, and we offer
various solutions, " said Bach. " We
believe in providing the very best
refreshment to schools that follow all
guidelines, for each level of school
from pre-K all the way to universities
and tailor the better-for-you snacks
and beverages to meet the needs of
students, teachers, athletes and guests. "
Rewards program lets employees
get cash back rewards on vending
machine purchases. For every item
from a vending machine that employees
purchase, they earn points toward free
products, such as " For every fourth
purchase, get one free " promotions.
When employees register, they can
also designate a charity to receive a
percent for each dollar spent.
Employers can opt for the Sirness
Wellness Promotions program to
incentivize healthier selections in both
vending machines and micro markets.
Employees earn loyalty points to use
toward future product purchases and
participate in custom promotions
designed to improve awareness of
corporate wellness initiatives, lower
healthcare costs and reward healthier
eating and drinking.
Employers can also " buy-down "
the price of the healthier options,
adding an extra incentive to
purchasing those items. For micro
market customers, Sirness can also
create custom promotions through
the Sirness Market Account card so
employees can win prizes or discounts
on product purchases.
Whether it's a vending bank or
a micro market, Sirness takes every
opportunity to make a fanfare over
every grand opening with discounted
food, raffles and giveaways.
" We only get one chance to launch
the right way, and we always try to make
the best first impression and then live
up to it, " said Nesser. " We also host
customer appreciation days to keep
excitement not only at the beginning
http://www.sirness.com
November 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2022
