Smash sports club in Neeroeteren, Belgium, chose Smart Fridges from Mirkoz Vending to combine self-service with automatic purchase recording. Members still pick up their own drinks. The change is in the checkout: the system processes the purchase instead of relying on the visitor to settle it separately.
Why did Smash want to replace its honesty bar?
At an honesty bar, visitors take a drink and pay on their own initiative. This suited the way Smash operated. The owners wanted to preserve that freedom while gaining better control over payments.
In our video interview, one of the five owners says they checked payments during the first two weeks. According to him, around €150 worth of drinks per week remained unpaid. That difference prompted them to look for another solution.
A visitor at the payment terminal of a Smart Fridge at Smash in Neeroeteren
How does the Smart Fridge work at this sports club?
The visitor taps a bank card or smartphone against the payment terminal. The door then opens and the visitor takes the drinks they want. Cameras record which products are removed. The purchase is processed after the door is closed.
In our demonstration at Smash, we take two different drinks from the fridge. The user does not need to enter a product number. Choosing and taking products independently remains central to the experience.
What does the change mean for members?
Claudine, who says in the interview that she has been a member for two years, also mentions the friendly parties at Smash. Self-service fits those social occasions as well as a drink after tennis or padel.
The Smart Fridges preserve that way of using the club. According to the owner interviewed, users find the system easy to use. Purchases are recorded automatically while members serve themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Smart Fridge replace an honesty bar?
At Smash, this is the solution the club chose: members take their own drinks, with electronic payment and automatic purchase recording.
Does someone need to be behind the bar for every purchase?
Purchases through these Smart Fridges do not require a separate manual checkout at the bar. Restocking, cleaning and day-to-day management remain the club’s responsibilities.
Would you like to organise self-service differently at your sports club? Explore Mirkoz Vending’s Smart Fridges and discuss your location and product range with us.
