Meet our Franchise Owners

25 years of dedication to fuelling others

Micheal and Darryean Glendinning

Running a business together has always been a way of life for Michael and Darryean Glendinning. Married for 50 years, the South Auckland couple have worked side by side for just as long, starting out as courier drivers before becoming juice distributors, then lunch bar owners in Manurewa. In June 2000 they joined Provender as franchise owners and they haven’t looked back since.What began with honesty boxes and a handful of vending machines has grown into a thriving business. Today, the couple focus mostly on the Auckland Airport and surrounding areas, where they manage around 20 vending machines alongside a loyal base of honesty box customers. Over the years, technology has made vending simpler, moving from coin slots that attracted odd foreign coins and miscellaneous items, to the ease of PayWave. Interestingly, half of their customers still prefer the old-fashioned honesty box option, a reminder that convenience means different things to different people.A business built on peopleFor the Glendinnings, the real joy of owning a Provender franchise has always been about the people. “It’s being able to walk into a customer’s workplace, say hello, and refuelling them when they are in need of a little pick-me-up. Our customers often have their little requests and Darryean has always had a knack of remembering who loves particular products and providing that service,” Michael says. Darryean adds her personal touch by carefully packing snack boxes so they look like works of art when they leave the van, tallest to shortest, labels facing forward, everything perfectly in place. Customers notice and appreciate the extra care.Balancing work and lifeOne of the biggest benefits of Michael and Darryean’s Provender business has been the balance it offers. While they’ve always worked hard, for most of their 25 years, the couple has kept Fridays free for banking, servicing vehicles and spending time with grandchildren. Now the grandkids are older, Fridays are dedicated to long lunches with friends. Running a successful vending machine business means travel has always been limited to short breaks, as the airport machines need regular attention, but the trade-off has been steady work and strong customer loyalty.Reaping the rewardsAlong with guaranteed work, running the business from home has brought its own rewards. Lower overheads, the ability to restock at any hour, and even getting their daughters involved in the early days to repack snack boxes and restock the van. “Our eldest did the admin work for years each weekend, processing each customer and how much we received. They were the great old days,” says Michael. Being part of the Provender network has provided support too, from advice at head office to the camaraderie of annual conferences. “You meet wonderful people who are always willing to help.”Advice for newcomersWhen asked what advice they’d give to anyone considering a Provender franchise, Michael simply says, “Go for it. It’s a great way to keep fit and active and if you like talking to people like we certainly do, you will become part of the furniture at some of your clients’ workplaces. We recently had our 50th wedding anniversary and some of our nearest and dearest that attended as guests were from our interactions that we have had at various clients.”And when it comes to their favourite snacks? For Darryean, it’s a Twirl; for Michael, a classic KitKat finger - small rewards for 25 years of dedication to fuelling others.

Building a business that grows with you

Calleigh Baker

When Calleigh Baker and her husband purchased a Provender franchise back in 2005, they were looking for more than just a business—they needed a lifestyle that would work around raising their young children. Provender offered just that.The couple purchased their franchise from a well-established owner, starting off with just one vending machine and 75 snack boxes. Twenty years on, their business now has 55 vending machines and 20 snack boxes across Hamilton and Cambridge.The Provender benefitsOne of the advantages of owning a franchise vending business was the ability for Calleigh to work from home and structure work around childcare and school activities. “In the evenings, I would restock the van or enter sales from the garage once the children were asleep,” says Calleigh.Calleigh’s three children are now grown, but she is still enjoying the benefits of Provender’s franchise model. “Provender’s online product ordering makes things easy. Deliveries are made directly to our home, eliminating the need to shop around for deals.Another big advantage is the lack of strict territorial boundaries. For example, if a client relocates from the CBD to a regional area, we can retain the relationship and continue servicing them without transferring them to another franchise owner. That continuity has been invaluable for maintaining long-term customer loyalty,” says Calleigh.No two days are the sameWhat Calleigh enjoys most about running the business is the variety. She says meeting people, building relationships, and getting out and about suits her far better than being confined to a desk. “No two days are ever the same. I thrive on engaging with customers and building genuine connections. Plus, as my own boss, I have the freedom to set my own hours, which allows me to stay agile, responsive, and fully committed to both my work and personal life.”Overcoming early challengesLike any new business, the early days came with challenges - learning how vending machine technology worked and finding ways to make their service run more efficient. The couple overcame this by restructuring their routes into designated service areas, cutting down on unnecessary travel and costs.Support from the Provender franchise network also made a huge difference. With nearly 50 franchisees across New Zealand, there was always someone to call for advice or guidance. The backing of the franchise network has also provided access to competitive pricing, group buying power, and a wide variety of well-known brands, which keeps customers happy and loyal.Calleigh says technology has made things even easier. “With card readers and telemetry, sales can be tracked via an app, showing exactly which machines need servicing based on stock levels. There’s no more wasted trips to low-sales sites—just smarter, more efficient operations.”Advice for new franchise ownersAfter nearly two decades in business, Calleigh’s enjoyed the freedom, flexibility, and lifestyle that comes with being part of Provender. For anyone considering a vending machine franchise, Calleigh’s advice is simple. “Ask lots of questions. Better yet, spend time with a local franchise owner to see what’s involved on a daily basis.”And when it comes to Calleigh’s favourite snack? “That’s a tough one! It’s a toss-up between a Cookie Time Chocolate Biscuit, an Outback Nut Mix, or a Blue Raspberry Musashi for an afternoon energy boost.”

From tourism to snack success

Liang Tan

For Liang Tan, owning a Provender franchise business has been more than a career move — it’s transformed his lifestyle. After over 20 years in New Zealand and experience in industries ranging from tourism to construction, Liang has discovered that a vending franchise offers just the right mix of flexibility, variety, and personal connection.Since joining Provender in 2018, Henderson-based Liang, has grown his operation to serve around 20 clients across West Auckland. The appeal of being a Provender franchise owner was clear from the start: the ability to work at his own pace, serve different customer types, and stock a diverse range of products. “I can easily update products depending on my customers’ preferences and changing tastes, so there’s never a shortage or difficulty in selling,” says Liang.Every day is differentLiang’s daily routine is as varied as the snacks he sells. He says travelling to different locations, meeting customers, and enjoying the changing scenery has turned each day into a rewarding experience. “Through chatting with customers, I’ve learnt a lot about their lives and become their friend. As I go on, every day becomes more fulfilling too because it brings different challenges.”Great customer service is Liang’s key to successChallenges do arise from time to time — particularly from competitors who want a share of the market. “I think the key to success is offering great customer service. I always aim to provide better service or products that better meet the needs of my customers, so that they will always choose Provender.”Liang says Provender's head office, as the operating entity, has provided tremendous assistance to his entire operation. “Vending is far simpler to manage than many other businesses, especially with Provender’s backing. I continually receive a wealth of support, from professional product recommendations and access to new customers, to supplier connections and machine maintenance.”Perks of the jobRunning the business from home also has its perks, allowing him to enjoy both work and family life. Liang’s advice to others considering a vending franchise is realistic but encouraging: “Like any business, it requires energy and effort to get returns. It’s not a case of putting a machine somewhere and forgetting it. But if you take it seriously, it’s a stable, easy-to-manage, and rewarding business.”And when it comes to Liang’s personal choice for a pick-me-up? “This is simple, nothing beats a Coke and chips.”

Next steps

If you’re interested in becoming a Provender franchise owner, give us a call and we can have a chat. Contact us on 0800 661 663 or complete our online enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

enquire now