Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about cost, contracts, service area, and what happens after you request a free evaluation.
Is it really free to get a vending machine installed?
Yes. Sidecar covers installation, the machine itself, ongoing stocking, and maintenance at no cost to your business. There's no capital outlay required to get started.
Do we have to sign a contract?
Yes — and it's designed to work in your favor. Before installation, locations sign a simple service agreement that's really our promise to keep your machine stocked, maintained, and running. You'll also get direct contact information for a dedicated representative who can help with any question or request, any time — not a call center. There's no minimum term — the only thing we ask in return is 30 days' notice if you ever need a machine relocated or removed, full stop. There's no capital outlay on your end — the agreement just puts our commitment to quality service in writing. See our how it works page for the full process.
What if we need to relocate or remove a machine later?
No problem — just give us 30 days' notice. There's no minimum term to satisfy first; that's the one thing we ask of locations under the service agreement, and it lets us plan the move or pickup without disrupting your space or ours.
What if a customer has a problem with a product itself — an allergic reaction, something they say made them sick, or similar?
Sidecar carries product liability insurance, so situations tied to what's sold through the machine are covered on our end, not yours. Have the customer reach out to us directly, or pass along their contact information, and we'll take it from there.
What areas does Sidecar serve?
We serve businesses across North Metro Atlanta. Visit our service area page to see the full list of zip codes we currently cover, including an interactive map.
What kinds of businesses do you work with?
Offices and coworking spaces, warehouses and industrial facilities, apartment communities, gyms and fitness studios, medical and healthcare facilities, and auto dealerships. See our industries page for details specific to your type of space.
What payment methods do the machines accept?
All Sidecar machines are cashless-ready with touchscreens, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and card readers — no cash or exact change required.
How do you decide what to stock in the machine?
During your free on-site evaluation, we discuss your space and who's using it, then build a starting product mix. After that, smart inventory monitoring tracks what's actually selling so the mix keeps improving over time.
What happens if a machine breaks or runs out of stock?
Call us and a local Metro Atlanta technician responds the same day — not a national call center. Restocking is also based on real usage data, so machines are refilled before they run empty rather than on a fixed schedule.
How much space does a vending machine need?
It depends on the machine and your location, but most placements fit in a break room, lobby, or other high-traffic nook. We'll recommend the right size and spot during your free evaluation.
How do I get started?
Request your free on-site evaluation. A member of the Sidecar team will call or email you within 24 hours to schedule a visit — no cost, no pressure, no commitment required.
Is my location outside North Metro Atlanta still eligible?
Check our service area page for the current coverage map. If your zip code isn't listed yet, reach out anyway — service areas expand over time.
We already have a vending machine from another company — can we switch?
Yes, and it's usually simpler than people expect. See our guide to switching vending companies for how we coordinate timing around your current contract's notice period.
What products can we choose for the machine?
You're not stuck with a generic snack-and-soda mix. During your free evaluation we talk through who's using the space and build a starting product lineup around that — food, drinks, or a mix of both. See our why Sidecar page for more on how the product mix is built and refined.
Can we request specific brands or options like protein bars, gluten-free, or vegan snacks?
Yes. Tell us what your team or customers actually want during the evaluation, and we'll build those preferences into the initial stocking plan. Smart inventory tracking then keeps refining the mix based on what's really selling.
What technology is built into a Sidecar machine?
Every machine is cashless-ready with a touchscreen interface, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and card readers, plus remote inventory monitoring so we know what's selling and what needs restocking without waiting for a complaint. See our smart vending machine page for the full spec.
Do the machines need Wi-Fi or any special electrical setup?
No special wiring — machines plug into a standard outlet. They do use a data connection for remote inventory monitoring, which we handle as part of setup; it doesn't require anything from your existing office network or IT team.
Who owns the vending machine — us or Sidecar?
Sidecar owns, installs, and maintains the machine. That's what makes it free for your business: there's no equipment purchase, lease, or depreciation on your books, and if anything ever needs repair or replacement, that's on us, not you.
What actually happens during the free on-site evaluation?
A member of the Sidecar team visits your location, looks at foot traffic and the space available, and talks through what your team or customers would actually want stocked. From there we recommend the right machine size, placement, and starting product mix — no cost, no pressure, no commitment required to get this far.
How long does installation take once we sign up?
A team member reaches out within 24 hours of your evaluation request to schedule the visit. Once a location is approved and the service agreement is signed, installation itself is typically quick — ask your Sidecar contact for a specific timeline based on current scheduling.
Can one location have more than one vending machine?
Yes — locations with heavier daily foot traffic are often well-suited for multiple machines, whether that's two food/drink machines or a mix of product types. We'll size this to your space during the free evaluation.
We have multiple business locations — can Sidecar service all of them?
As long as they fall within our North Metro Atlanta service area, yes. Each location gets its own evaluation, since foot traffic and the right product mix can vary a lot site to site.
Is Sidecar a national vending company or a local one?
Local. Sidecar is based in and serves North Metro Atlanta directly — when you call about a machine issue, you're reaching a local technician and a dedicated point of contact, not a national call center.
What happens if a machine gets damaged or vandalized?
Let us know and we'll handle the repair or replacement — that's part of what Sidecar maintaining and owning the machine means for your business. There's no cost to you for normal wear, damage, or the occasional vandalism incident.
Can a customer get a refund if a product doesn't dispense or is expired?
Yes — have them reach out to us directly (contact information is posted on the machine), or pass along their details, and we'll make it right. Product-related issues are handled on Sidecar's end, not yours.
Can the machine display our company logo or branding?
Ask your Sidecar contact about this during the evaluation — options can depend on the specific machine model and location. It's a fair question to raise up front if branded appearance matters to you.
What if our foot traffic changes after the machine is already installed?
Just let us know. Restocking is based on real usage data rather than a fixed schedule, so the machine naturally adjusts as traffic changes. If traffic grows enough to justify it, we can also talk through adding a second machine.
Is there a support line if something goes wrong with the machine?
Yes — every location gets direct contact information for a dedicated Sidecar representative, and a local Metro Atlanta technician responds the same day for issues. Visit our support page for how to reach us.
Do you only work with the industries listed on your site?
Those are our most common fits, but not the only ones. If your business isn't offices, warehouses, apartments, gyms, medical facilities, or auto dealerships, reach out anyway — see our industries page for details, and we can talk through whether your space qualifies.