SUCCESS
STORY:
OPERATION
PROFILE
35 years
of growth
By Emily Refermat, Editor
This California family vending operation
has thrived for more than three decades
and continues its success with the addition
of the third generation, who added new
business lines to drive growth of the
Canteen franchise.
J
&J; Vending of Union City, Calif. turns
35 this year. The Canteen franchise,
started by father and son Joel C. (Senior)
and Joel E. (Big Joe) Skidmore in 1978,
had four accounts. Now there are more
than 1,300 machines and eight routes.
With the addition of the third generation, Joel E. Skidmore's daughter Jennifer, the company expanded its business
into offce coffee and pantry service at
a time when vending was feeling the
recession, and the operation continues to innovate. J&J;'s latest addition, micro markets, has
brought the company a number of new locations.
Partners from the start
In 1978, Skidmore Senior was working as a manager for
Canteen of Burlingame when they approached him with a
franchise opportunity. They would take larger accounts,
but send smaller locations to him for vending service. He
agreed and asked his son, only 17 at the time, to become
CONTINUED
▶
Joel Skidmore is a hands-on owner who moves equipment and
helps with daily business.
April 2013
VendingMarketWatch.com
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