Vending and Food Service Business Ownership

Learn about opportunities for legally blind adults to become business owners through the Business Enterprise Program.

Business Enterprise Program

Department of Services for the Blind’s Business Enterprise Program (BEP) works with businesses and facilities seeking vending. Vending opportunities include automatic vending machines, cafeterias, snack bars, counters, etc. For additional information about vending facilities options and prioritization within the Randolph Sheppard Act, please contact our office. We’d be happy to have a conversation on how we can enhance your workplace.

Benefits 

If you qualify for the Business Enterprise Program, we can provide:

  • Training to operate a business
  • A license that allows you to bid on BEP business locations and routes
  • Equipment for your business
  • Ongoing support and guidance for managing your business

Eligibility

If you are a customer of Vocational Rehabilitation at DSB and legally blind.

Personal traits that are helpful are an entrepreneurial spirit, a desire for autonomy, self-reliance, and business ownership.

Your professional experience that is not required, but may be helpful, is food service, managerial, money management, leadership, and/or business ownership.

How to apply

If you have not already, become a DSB customer, then talk with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor about your interest in the program. Please refer to their process at Vocational Rehabilitation Process.

Your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will refer you to the BEP Team.

Next you will receive guidance and assessment to determine if the program is a good fit. If there is agreement that it is, we will work to provide the training and support toward licensure and business ownership.

Contact us

For more information about the Business Enterprise Program and how to apply, contact us using one of the methods below: