Q1: What are the dimensions of the 99 Spoons kiosk?
The 99 Spoons soft serve vending kiosk has the following footprint:
| Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 76.4 inches |
| Width | 38.7 inches |
| Depth | 36.6 inches |
| Floor footprint | ~10 sq ft |
The machine requires a minimum of 5 inches of clearance at the rear for ventilation.
Q2: Can you summarize the 99 Spoons program?
99 Spoons sells fully automated soft serve vending kiosks to independent operators. Here is how it works in brief:
- You buy the machine — one-time purchase, no lease, no rental, no franchise fees
- You choose your location — hotels, malls, hospitals, universities, military bases, gyms, and more
- The machine handles everything — ordering, dispensing, payment processing, temperature monitoring, and real-time alerts, 24/7
- No royalties or revenue share — the only ongoing 99 Spoons fee is $49/month for software
There are no franchise fees, no royalties, and no revenue share to 99 Spoons. You operate under your own brand. Visit our Steps to Success portal for a full operational walkthrough.
Q3: Is the 99 Spoons machine certified for health department approvals?
Yes. Intertek certification confirms that the machine has been independently tested and verified to meet safety, sanitation, and performance standards required for commercial food service equipment. This is a certification facility managers often ask about.
99 Spoons provides operators with a full health department compliance guide, cleaning protocol documentation, and on-site training to prepare for inspection. Health permits are issued locally and are the owner's responsibility.
Q4: What payment methods are accepted?
99 Spoons machines accept all major credit and debit cards, contactless tap-to-pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets through the integrated Nayax card reader. Campus card and student meal plan payments are also supported at qualifying university installations. Cash is not accepted.
Transactions are processed in real time and funds are deposited directly into your merchant account. The Nayax device fee is approximately $10/month, paid directly to Nayax.
Q5: How does the remote management software help me operate the vending machine?
The 99 Spoons cloud portal gives you full visibility and control over your machine from any device. Here is what it does:
- Real-time sales tracking — see every transaction as it happens
- Temperature monitoring — the TARS alert system notifies you immediately if the machine goes out of safe range
- Menu and pricing management — update products, prices, and promotions remotely without touching the machine
- Inventory visibility — monitor stock levels so you know when to restock
- Machine health diagnostics — the system flags issues proactively, often before they affect service
- Promotion tools — run time-limited offers and discounts directly from the dashboard
The $49/month software subscription covers all of the above plus ongoing technical support. There are no additional per-transaction or per-feature fees from 99 Spoons.
Q6: How do I find a location?
You choose and secure your own location. 99 Spoons does not find, provide, or refer locations.
Q7: What other services does 99 Spoons provide?
Beyond the machine itself, 99 Spoons provides a full end-to-end service package:
- Delivery — white-glove delivery to your placement location
- Installation — professional setup, connection, and first-run testing
- On-site training — approximately 3 hours covering all aspects of operation, cleaning, restocking, and software management
- Supplies — independent suppliers of your choice for soft serve mix, cups, toppings, syrups, and cleaning supplies
- Ongoing technical support — WhatsApp group, phone, email, and remote diagnostic assistance from industry veterans, available 24/7
- National technician network — on-site technicians available for labor warranty claims
- Warranty coverage — standard warranty included with all machines
- Spare parts — spare parts kit included with your machine; additional parts available through 99 Spoons
Q8: Can I brand my machine?
Yes. 99 Spoons offers full custom branding options. You can wrap the machine exterior with your own brand identity, logo, and color scheme. This is popular with operators who want to build a recognizable local brand, as well as corporate, hospitality, and entertainment clients who want a co-branded experience for their venue.
Operators like Scoop Dogg (Atlanta), Sunset Sundaes (Destin, FL), Cup for a Cure, Frozzi, and FroGo have all built independent brands on the 99 Spoons platform. You own your brand completely — 99 Spoons has no claim on it.
See how custom branding works: View the Operator Branding Showcase →
Q9: How quickly can I get a machine up and running?
Once you have a confirmed location, 99 Spoons can deliver and install your machine within 10–14 days, anywhere in the United States. Here is the typical timeline:
- Order placed: 50% deposit, machine enters production. Use this time to finalize your location and start the health permit process
- 10–14 days: Machine is assembled, tested, and inspected at the factory, then shipped directly to your location
- Delivery day: White-glove delivery, professional installation, and ~3 hours of on-site training. Machine is live the same day
Most operators are fully operational within 2–3 weeks of placing their order.
Q10: What is the customer experience with the 99 Spoons machine?
The 99 Spoons kiosk is designed to be intuitive, fast, and satisfying for the end customer. Here is what the experience looks like:
- Customer approaches the large touchscreen display and browses the menu
- They select their soft serve flavor, toppings, and syrups through an easy step-by-step interface
- Payment is made cashlessly — tap, swipe, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or campus card
- The machine dispenses a freshly made soft serve cup in approximately 40 seconds
- A spoon is automatically placed with the cup — no staff interaction required at any point
- The machine is connected to real-time monitoring, so temperature, cleanliness, and product quality are maintained automatically
The entire experience is fully automated — no buttons to jam, no staff to wait for, no cash to handle. Customers get a consistent, high-quality product every time.
Q11: What is a soft serve vending machine, and how does 99 Spoons work?
A soft serve vending machine is a fully automated kiosk that accepts a customer's order via touchscreen, dispenses fresh soft serve ice cream with toppings and sauces, and processes payment — all without any staff involvement. The 99 Spoons kiosk does exactly that, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You monitor everything — sales, inventory, temperature, alerts — from your phone. The machine cleans itself on a cycle and needs about 30 minutes a week for restocking and cleaning. The 99 Spoons kiosk is Intertek certified. It runs on a standard 110V outlet with no Plumbing hookup at the machine.
Q12: How much does an ice cream vending machine for sale actually cost all-in?
One machine with delivery, installation and training is $21,998, plus initial supplies. This includes:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Machine (equipment) | $18,499 |
| Delivery & installation | $999 |
| On-site training & tech support | $2,500 (one-time) |
| Initial supplies | Bought separately |
| Total all-in (approx.) | $21,998 plus initial supplies |
After that, your ongoing costs are: $49/month software and remote monitoring fee, ~$35/month insurance, ~$10/month Nayax payment device fee, and consumables ordered directly from independent suppliers of your choice. There are no franchise fees, no royalties, and no revenue share — ever.
Q13: What makes this an "automatic ice cream vending machine" — what's actually automated?
Nearly everything. The 99 Spoons kiosk is a true automatic ice cream vending machine in the fullest sense:
- Order taking — The touchscreen guides customers through flavor, topping, and sauce selection without any human interaction
- Dispensing — The machine measures and dispenses the correct amount of soft serve automatically, every time
- Payment processing — Cashless payments are processed instantly via Nayax
- Temperature monitoring — The machine tracks its own internal temperature 24/7 and sends automatic alerts if anything goes out of range
- Menu management — You update pricing, products, and promotions remotely via the cloud portal
- Alerts and diagnostics — The remote monitoring system flags issues proactively, before they affect service
What isn't automated: restocking and cleaning, about 30 minutes a week in total.
Q15: How does 99 Spoons compare to a vending machine franchise?
| Factor | Vending Machine Franchise | 99 Spoons |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront franchise fee | $10,000–$50,000+ | $0 |
| Ongoing royalties | 5–15% of revenue, forever | $0 |
| Brand control | Franchisor's brand, their rules | Your brand, your rules |
| Territory restrictions | Locked to a territory | Place machines anywhere in the US |
| Exit / resale | Franchisor approval required | Sell your machine to anyone, anytime |
| Monthly fees | Varies widely | $49/month software only |
Q16: How do I start a vending machine business with 99 Spoons?
- Book a call — Talk to the team, ask questions, discuss locations. Book here.
- Place your order — 50% deposit to begin, 50% balance when your machine is ready to ship. Fully assembled and tested at the factory.
- Secure your location — While your machine is being prepared (typically 2–4 weeks), find and negotiate your own location.
- Delivery, install, and go live — The 99 Spoons team delivers, installs, and trains you on-site. You're typically up and running within a day of installation.
Most new operators are fully operational within 2–4 weeks of placing their order.
Have more questions? Visit 99spoons.com or book a call to speak with the team directly.