From Solo Operator to Simple System

Anthony stopped running as a one-man show and built a light system. He shares a copy-ready template you can size to your market. This change enabled scaling without 16-hour days.

Route Footprint & Density

44 locations, 77 machines; ~95% in Chicagoland. Primary radius is ~1h45–2h from his home base. He favors city density over suburbs for block-by-block efficiency.

City vs. Suburbs Strategy

City: many stops with minimal drive time between doors. Suburbs: only 5–6 properties; long hauls hurt productivity. He stays selective in suburbs to avoid hour-plus drives per stop.

Lean Org Chart & Roles

One full-time stocker runs the city route. One part-time operator covers city and suburban stops. One full-time warehouse lead handles pick/pack and deliveries.

Owner Responsibilities & Guardrails

Owner manages sales reports, inventory orders, pick lists, and taxes. Clear roles and checklists prevent drift and keep KPIs visible. Delegation works only when the team has tools and standards.

Vehicle, Costs & Service Rhythm

Stocker drives a Ford Transit Connect, $0 down, ~$315/month. City-heavy routing logs “about 4,400” on the odometer (context as given). Result: reliable service windows without burnout or owner driving.

Supply Chain Snag & Response

A supplier slip pushed deliveries roughly four months. Units expected July/October arrived September–February. He kept sites warm with proactive updates and saved the deals.

Install Buffer & Control

Lesson: control what you can; communicate early and often. Build buffer time into install timelines to de-risk delays. Set expectations with properties before freight lands.

Placement Principles by Area

Downtown density = low miles, faster turns, best for 24/7 flow. Suburbs: prioritize strong medical or high-headcount warehouses. Avoid low-traffic placements that strand capital and time.

Daily Mileage & Focus

Typical city day logs ~6 miles—that’s the point. More selling, less driving; keep routes tight. Design for service speed, not windshield time.

Financial Preview

Next up, he opens the books on a ~$98K monthly run rate. You’ll see cash flow mechanics and margin guardrails. Use the same playbook to forecast, fund growth, and sleep well.