Hey Steve,
Just thought I would share a napkin holder that I came across at local gas station/convenience store.
It is a single use holder and has slots on the front or back where you can insert your own card stock for advertising. I found that it works extremely well.
It is made my Tork and called Xpressnap. They come in different colors.
Kent Foster
Thanks for the tip Kent. I really like this dispenser, especially the price – $1.70!!! Sure you have to buy the napkins that go with it, but that’s the case with most napkin dispensers. Kind of like computer printer manufacturers – they make their money selling ink.
Here is the official description (I bolded the feature I like the most)…
Increase personal hygiene and cut waste by delivering one-at-a-time dispensing, which reduces consumption. Ideal for use at individual tables in casual dining environments. Holds up to 200 napkins, nearly three times the capacity of traditional dispensers.
Unique AD-a-Glance message display panel can be used for in-store promotions, special announcements, events and also to offer advertising space to professionals to generate advertising revenue.
Color(s): Black; Width: 5.80 in; Depth: 7.80 in; Height: 6.20 in.
Reduces napkin usage by 25%.
For use with napkins SCA-DX900 (sold separately).
Weight: 2 lbs.
Click Here for a list of places to get yours.
Anybody using these? Anybody going to try it? How about an alternative product? Let us know what you think in the comments…
-Steve
Steve ,
The first time I worked the Blooomsburg Fair 1997 I rented my space from a long time Carnival Vendor. When I unloaded a case of napkins from my Van he laughed and said “What are those for”.
I asked him what is so funny he said”as the week goes on, you will find out” The first night I was almost out of Napkins so I brought More. Turns out all the vendors in my row would answer their customers question “Do you have any napkins?” By Saying “The New Guy down at the end has all the Napkins” –School of Carnival Hard Knocks
I think I’ll give this Dispenser a try. I like the fact that it has a Window for Advertisement. Maybe I can talk one of my purveyors into a little cash for point of sale placement–(That would be a great Topic for your readers)
Always Looking Forward
Pocono
I’m in for about 4 of these, that’s great because customers want to take about 20 napkins in one shot, this can actually be money saving, I can use one in my house as well, my kids thinks napkins comes from trees, oh wait they do!!!
I like that napkin dispenser, in fact of like practically anything that can be branded to my own business. There’s nothing like direct marketing. When you customer sees your name everywhere, that only helps to drive traffic your way.
Hi Steve
Tryed these in a cafe I had.I was using the single fold napkins.The type in the silver dispencers like you see everywhere.A salesman gave me the new dispencers for free.Found out that the napkins cost twice as much as the ones I was using.I went back to the old ones as soon as my first order of new napkins were used up.
I bought these 2 years ago. Gordon Foods sells the napkins. When you buy the case of napkins, the dispensers were free. They hold alot of napkins, thus eliminating having to fill the little metal ones constantly. These dispense “one at a time” eliminating waste.
FYI,
These are sold at Gordon Foods Marketplace stores.
http://gfs.know-where.com/gfs/
Hey Doggers,
I use these and they are great! I never thought of the ad revenue idea though. …. going to give that a try!
Franks a lot.
Jimmy
Kinda like what I have now, just a plastic box, stores easy, and i have not found that people I serve take too many napkins at a time, maybe I am just lucky.
I have been using these from the start. I printed my logo on card stock and have one sitting on both sides of my cart. Being available in different colors makes it easy to match your umbrella and make your cart stand out more.
Think these are great. Besides advertising
yourself or others, it looks like you can put
pictures and prices of any specials you are
running. Tks…
Great idea! I might be an opportunity to trade advertisements with another retail operation in your area.
i am ordering this today!!! being a convenience store manager I see napkin waste every day. Since these are one at time dispensers, if a person wants to stand there for 20 minutes pulling napkins i guess they could but probably wont because the guy or gal behind them might tell them to hurry up LOL. These are great for the cart!! Thanks for the great info!!
Sounds like a great product!! Has anyone ever tried one of those paper towel holders mounted to the side of your cart??? Those big rolls have got to be cheaper than napkins?? Any insight would be great!! Thanks for ALL the great tips!
tenacity,
I actually installed one of those stainless napkin holders to the side of my hot dog cart. I wish I had installed one of the one-at-a-time dispensers instead, however, because customers pull one or more napkins off the roll, and then gravity causes the roll to turn or the wind blows the napkins, which results in the napkins hanging lower and lower, and ripping or just blowing around in the wind.
I don’t know if I would use the napkin holder pictured at the top of this blog post, but I saw a plastic single serve napkin holder at Sam’s Club recently which can be mounted to the side of my cart with adhesive strips (included). I may go that route.
It has been very windy this year. The napkins being blown around or ripping is less important than the gusty winds trying to destroy my branded lightweight Vienna Beef umbrella. Bungee chords weren’t doing the job, so the wind is winning. Even my 10×10 canopy has been spending more time in the travel case than actually standing due to the high winds this year.
Sorry for the griping.
What brand of hotdog and brats do most doggers use and do you have a supplier list? I am from Illinois and I heard of a sausage name brand koegel. Thanks and good journeys. I am just in the research phase right now. noel
Hey Joel,
I have heard of Koegel. Haven’t tried them though. Any quality all beef dog will be fine.