Keeping businesses revived

since 1991

Provender NZ Ltd, started life as Snack Systems (NZ) Ltd in 1991 by the joint Directors Philip Horrocks and Bernie Crosby as an honour vending business predominantly delivering Snack Boxes to businesses under the ‘Have A Snack!’ brand. Initially a pilot programme over some months was used to test the all new “honour vending” concept to New Zealand. This trial took place in Hamilton with employed staff in initially 10 businesses by providing 60 snacks in a cardboard merchandiser accompanied by a $1 money box. The ‘Have A Snack!’ box numbers rapidly expanded to approximately 100 businesses and very quickly proved the demand for an “in house snack service”.

The pilot and the results were thoroughly evaluated before franchising commenced. In the preparatory stage, prior to granting franchises and to enhance their viability the Directors employed prospecting personnel to attract customers for Have A Snack®.

This gave the pioneer Franchise Owners an immediate income and the required cash flow to further develop the Franchised Business.

During the 1991-1993 period Franchise Owners were attracted to areas in the major urban centres (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin) and then to regional centres.

By January 1994 there were 15 Franchise Owners in a solid nation-wide network, and following the second expansion period by June 1995 there were 22 Owners. As a result of sub-dividing and the re-allocation of customers, by October 1999 there were 39 Franchise Owners operating franchises of various sizes in New Zealand and 20 in Australia and at the start of 2002 there were 54 in New Zealand alone. By mid 2003 that number was over 70 and by late 2005 approaching 90.

In 2008 provender® purchased Australian Vending 24seven® subsequently further expanding the reach of this successful vending enterprise.

No franchise in the provender® Franchise System has failed or been wound up although franchises have been forced to sell through changes in personal circumstances. Market penetration has continued to grow in spite of intensified competition from other snack and drink vending efforts.

These achievements are testimony to the inherent strength in the provender® Franchise System, effective operations, management and careful selection of Franchise Owners.