Snack bar fix for mobile munchies

MINI vending machines are about to hit the streets in cars.

Australian-based start-up company Grabox is working with drivers from ride share companies such as Uber, OLA, Taxify, DiDi and GoCatch to roll out the first in-car snack bar filled with sweets, health bars and savoury snacks.

The machines are being installed in more than 300 cars in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT, with more than 1000 drivers expressing interest in only a month.

Drivers will also sell a selection of chilled, non-alcoholic drinks from a cooler.

Grabox co-founder Dhruv Kohli said drivers were selected based on their passenger rating and must work more than 30 hours a week.

They receive a percentage of every item sold and the machine is expected to generate $100-$200 for drivers monthly.

“We only take drivers with a 4.7 rating as a minimum and if their rating slips, they lose it,” he said.

He said Grabox reviewed prices.

“We are trying to compete against Coles, Woolies and convenience stores, but on busy nights like Fridays and Saturdays, prices will go up so the driver makes more money,” he said.

“Passengers can select an item by scanning their smartphone over a QR code and pay in seconds.”

A recent IBISWorld report into ride sharing services in Australia found industry revenue was projected to rise annually at 13.7 per cent over the next five years through 2023-24, to reach $540 million.

Ride Share Drivers’ Association of Australia president Rosalina Kariotakis said she was impressed with the machine after trialling it for a week.

“The drivers are all curious about it and passengers are entertained by it,” she said.

But she said full-time drivers would get the most benefit out of it. regularly