Business Opportunities Weblog

Alco-Buddy Alcohol Breathalyzer Vending Machine

By on February 11, 2013 in Biz Ops

Alco-Buddy is wall mounted, vending machine-like alcohol breathalyzer. It is designed to be installed in bars and restaurants.

The machine is about the size of a payphone. After the user inserts cash or swipes his credit card, the machine dispenses a straw from the bottom. The user them inserts one of the straw into a hole in the front of the machine and when directed, blows into the straw. The Alco-Buddy then analyzers the user’s breath for the presence of alcohol and displays the results on it’s screen.

As a business opportunity, it has merit too. The Alco-Budd sells for $1,899 per unit if you only purchase one. Here’s a conservative revenue estimate from the company:

At any give location, with an average patron attendance of 100 per night during the slower nights of the week Sunday thru Wednesday, and 275 per night Thursday, Friday and Saturday —only 1225 per week — (many places entertain that number of customers, on just Friday / Saturday nights) and an active participation of only 5% is 61 usages. At a dollar each that is $61/week.

$61/week times X 52 weeks/year = $3,172 in 1 year!

What a neat idea!

Here’s a video after the jump:

Business Opportunities Weblog editor and publisher Dane Carlson lives in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, just 15 miles from Yosemite National Park. He accidentally became a professional blogger in 2001. He has added 12,203 posts to the site.

Another Idea: How to Start a Vending Machine Business

  • http://wahm.business-opportunities.biz Angela Shupe

    That is a very neat opportunity. At the very least, people who cared whether or not they were about to drive drunk would be able to see for themselves. If the number was too high, at least they would know so they could call a DD or wait a little longer until the alcohol left their system.

  • http://www.alcocheckpoint.com Kurk Smith

    These machines have a similar look and the sales team is so helpful!

  • Jim

    This machine looks exactly like the alcocheckpoint machine except for the sticker.

  • http://digitalalcoholtesters.net/ Dario

    Hi Dane,

    great little revenue raiser the alcohol breath tester machine. With the rise in alcohol related accidents and heavy DUI fines, these units setup in the right clubs/businesses certainly could make a difference.

    Kind regards & stay safe,

    Dario.

  • Paul

    This is a great concept, but do not purchase the machines. I have 11 total and cannot calibrate them. We had 3 placed in bars but bar owners made us take them down due to innacuaracy of the readings. We are trying to return the machines but they will not take them back. I am out $12k and they dont give a damn. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT

  • Greg

    The guys at Alcobuddy are JERKS. They provide terrible customer service, their components are cut-rate. The sensors and bill acceptors break down ever couple of months. The shipping times from Alcobuddy are a JOKE. Even when they charge you for over night fees (which are obsurdey high), they don’t even send them when they say they will.

    These guys are from New York and they will rip you off, and provide the worst possible customer service known to man.

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