Almost all acute care—and all extended care—healthcareoperations have vending machines, according to a survey of more than 200 healthcare operators conducted by the Society for Healthcare Food Service Management (HFM). The study analyzed not only vending but onsite cafÈ operations and brand merchandising as well.

Among acute care operators, 53% report that vending is the responsibility of the foodservice department. Of these, 79% contract it out to a vending operator. Almost 51% say their vending revenues have increased (14% say it decreased), but annual revenues ranged from $58,000 to more than $500,000 from an average of 26 machines.

At extended-care locations, 47% report that vending is the foodservice department's responsibility and all handle the ending themselves. At these locations, 43% say their vending revenues have increased and 14% say it decreased. Annual revenues ranged from $3,000 to more than $50,000 from an average eight machines.