The cost of a hotel lobby market depends first on who operates it. With GrabScanGo Fully Managed, eligible hotels receive setup at no cost to the hotel and a monthly profit share. With Hotel Operated, the hotel or its vendor runs the market, so fixtures, inventory and daily operations belong in the budget alongside checkout technology.
Before comparing prices, decide which responsibilities your hotel wants to take on. GrabScanGo can review your property and recommend the approach that fits.
Compare the responsibilities
| Cost or task | Fully Managed | Hotel Operated |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | No setup cost to eligible hotels | Budget for the equipment and work your space needs |
| Product sourcing and stocking | Service operator partner | Hotel team or its vendor |
| Daily physical operation | Service operator partner | Hotel team or its vendor |
| Checkout technology | GrabScanGo | GrabScanGo |
| Hotel return | Monthly profit share | Market sales less the hotel’s agreed costs |
See the operating-model section of our Hotel Lobby Market Guide for more detail.
What goes into a hotel-operated budget?
Start with your existing space. Shelves and coolers that already work may reduce the equipment you need. A new market may need refrigeration, shelving, checkout equipment, electrical work and installation. Opening inventory is another expense, followed by regular replenishment.
Our earlier cost guide used a $15,000–$50,000 planning range for a hotel-funded market. That range describes a broader build-out; it is not the price of GrabScanGo software or a quote for every property. An existing pantry upgrade and a new market with multiple coolers need different budgets.
Ask for a proposal that separates:
- Fixtures, refrigeration, installation and any site work.
- Checkout equipment, software, payment processing and support.
- Opening inventory and ongoing product purchases.
- Staff time for ordering, receiving, stocking and reconciliation.
- Spoilage, inventory losses, repairs and replacement equipment.
Confirm which items are included, which are recurring and who owns the equipment. This makes proposals easier to compare and gives your team a useful operating budget.
Evaluate the return on the same basis
Sales alone do not show what the hotel earns. For a hotel-operated market, subtract product costs and operating expenses before calculating the return. For Fully Managed, use the profit-share terms in the proposal and any costs retained by the hotel. Our profitability guide explains the distinction.
A larger assortment also needs enough sales to justify the inventory. Build the opening mix around your guests, then use sales and stock levels to adjust it.
Get a property-specific recommendation
Share your hotel’s location, current market setup and available space. Our site survey checklist helps you collect photos, measurements and equipment details for that review. If room charging is a priority, use the PMS checklist to prepare the payment questions.
Explore our service areas, including Denver hotel lobby markets, or tell us about your hotel.