There are literally thousands of different vending machine business ideas available today. Here are some of the best.

When someone is trying to figure out what kind of vending machine business ideas to pursue, they might feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. So, let’s walk through a step-by-step guide to help you figure out which vending machine business ideas to consider, how to evaluate each idea, and how to choose the right one.

There’s a vending machine business you can get into today. In fact, there are so many opportunities in this area that the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics has an entire category dedicated to them. According to the bureau, the total market for vending machine sales is approximately $4 billion in the United States alone. Not surprisingly, vending machines generate huge profits for their owners. According to the BLS, the average per-machine profit margin was nearly 21% in 2015, and the annual sales growth rate was 4.3% from 2011 to 2015.

List Of Top Vending Machine Business Ideas 

Here we have listed some of the top vending machine business ideas that are not very difficult to start.

1. Coffee Shop Vending

Are you looking for some of the best vending machine business ideas? Then you have to know that coffee shops have some very lucrative opportunities for vending machines, but they are not always the most profitable. The problem for many of them is that there is not enough demand for coffee at the right time of day to support a small business. Some people love a good cup of coffee in the morning, but others are more interested in iced drinks. Even if you are offering a broad selection of beverages, the profit margins can be low.

2. Breakfast Vending

The breakfast vending machine business is booming right now because everyone loves getting a free cup of coffee in the morning. Many people have turned this into a successful side hustle.

Breakfast vending machines are a popular trend in the food industry because of their efficiency and convenience. They don’t require a lot of space and they can be placed almost anywhere, but the major downside is that the business can be rather expensive to start.

3. Convenience Store Vending

The vending machine industry has been booming over the last several years. Many convenience store owners and managers are now wondering if it’s time to open a vending machine business. But before you start looking into vending machines, you’ll need to figure out what kind of machine you want. There are different kinds of vending machines, including snack machines, beverage machines, soda/water machines, ice machines, coffee machines, soft drink machines, candy machines, and others.

Some people may think of a soda dispenser as a vending machine. However, it’s not the same thing as a vending machine. So, if you’re thinking about opening up a vending machine business, make sure to know the difference.

4. Drugstore Vending

We can all appreciate the convenience of being able to buy anything at the touch of a button, but sometimes the thought of walking into a store and having to interact with someone makes us feel anxious and uncomfortable. Well, for those people, there are vending machines. A quick search for “drugstore vending machines” turns up a lot of results.

5. Gift Card Vending

A vending machine (or “kiosk”) is a device that dispenses small items, such as candy, gum, magazines, or a gift card, to customers without requiring them to interact with human attendants. Most people don’t realize just how ubiquitous the concept of a “kiosk” is in our modern lives. Just go to any grocery store in North America, for example, and you’ll likely find one that dispenses either hot chocolate or coffee. In the United States alone, there are over 6 million kiosks in shopping malls and grocery stores.

6. Hotel Vending

The concept of vending machines in hotels seems like a throwback to our grandparents’ days, but hoteliers say guests are increasingly relying on them. In fact, some hoteliers say they’re becoming an essential part of the guest experience, particularly for guests who are traveling solo.

7. Liquor Store Vending

The liquor store in this story is a vending machine. You might be wondering why we’re highlighting this example as a way to apply marketing principles to something that seems like a natural fit. The reason is that most people assume that vending machines don’t require a strategy or any form of marketing. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

8. Market Vending

In case you didn’t know it already, market vending refers to the practice of using vending machines to sell products to consumers. These machines often contain a variety of snack food items, such as chips, candy, soda, etc.

9. Restaurant Vending

In my years of running restaurants, I’ve found that one of the best ways to entice guests into a restaurant is to offer a small snack as they enter the restaurant. Snacks are a great way to add a bit of flavor to a meal and can help fill the stomach after a long day of work or travel. For instance, a baguette stuffed with cheese and veggies can make a perfect side dish for dinner. Here are some ideas for your next vending machine!

10. Supermarket Vending

Supermarket vending machines are an excellent source of revenue and marketing to businesses that don’t want to invest money in advertising. But like many products, they come with a catch: The product must sell itself. The problem is that the product usually doesn’t come with a clear description of what it does, what benefits it offers, and why it’s better than the competition.

11. Travel Vending

Travel Vending machines are a fun, inexpensive, and very popular way to keep a small business running while away from the office. They’re available to rent for a one-time fee of $30-$40 per month.

12. Vending at Trade Shows

Vending machines are a common sight at trade shows and conventions, and they can be a great way to increase traffic to your booth. It’s a fast, easy way to make a sale and give potential customers a taste of what you’re offering. You can use these vending machines to test new products, and feature items, or collect data on what people are responding to.

13. Vending at Workplaces

If the vending machine isn’t located near where you work, you may have to visit the break room to stock up. But even if you’re at the office every day, there are times when vending machines become essential tools. From the employee who needs caffeine in the middle of a long presentation, to a co-worker who needs a quick pick-me-up before tackling that big project, to the entrepreneur who needs a midday snack.

14. Vending at Sporting Events

While you may have thought of the vending machines at sporting events as a way for athletes to make money, they are really used to promote sponsors, sell tickets and merchandise, and even give away food and drinks. There are three types of vending machines at sporting events: premium machines, where you have to pay a small fee to buy the candy, soda, chips, and other food; concession machines, which sell popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and other snacks; and free machines, which are free to use.

15. Vending at Special Events

A vending machine is a popular item at events and conferences because it is simple to operate, portable, and requires minimal setup. However, it is important to consider the design and placement of the machines at the event. The location of the vending machines is often dictated by the type of event that the company is sponsoring. However, it is important to consider the aesthetics and the logistics of where the machines will be placed at the event.

16. Vending at the Movies

On top of the fact that the movie-going experience is completely different than the movie-watching experience, there are also certain rules and expectations that apply to the vending machine. First and foremost, customers are in a hurry. The movies have a limited run time and people are looking for ways to maximize every minute. As such, they don’t want to waste any time in the cinema. Furthermore, people are more likely to pay for food and drink when they’re already in the movie theatre. And finally, they are much less likely to walk away from their money.

17. Vending at Restaurants

With the invention of the vending machine, people found it easier than ever to take a break and grab a quick bite whenever they wanted. Even with the convenience and affordability of vending machines, some restaurants are finding it hard to compete with the machines because there are so many places to eat out today.

18. Vending in Schools

Today, vending machines have become the most common item in schools. These machines help students to save money for eating out. With this machine, there is no need for cash and no need to wait. Students can pay as soon as they have chosen what they want. However, this machine can be a challenge for students if it is difficult to insert coins and it requires a lot of time to choose. But even then, vending machines have become very popular in schools.

19. Vending at Night Clubs

One night club owner discovered the solution to vending machine problems while he was waiting tables in college. After he made a pile of cash selling cups of soda, beer, and snacks at a party, he decided to create a new vending machine business. He got his first customer for $5,000, then $10,000, and eventually $50,000 a week. Today, his company sells tens of thousands of vending machines to bars, clubs, stadiums, and festivals around the world.

20. Vending at Churches

Vending machines are one of the oldest forms of business. Church organizations have long found that vending machines are a great way to raise money, even if the machines are not owned by the church. They’re a great way to offer something fun for kids or seniors and a way to get a little extra cash. Churches often choose machines that are easy to maintain, such as soda machines, candy machines, and coffee machines, while avoiding vending machines with complicated technology and high maintenance costs.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, for those who are looking to start a vending machine business, here are some tips to help you make sure your business runs smoothly: Plan your equipment purchases in advance; research local business regulations and codes; hire a professional to install your machines; keep your equipment safe and secure; train your staff properly; and, test your business model, pricing, location, and other factors before opening for business. Finally, it’s important to remember that the only way to succeed is to stick with your business, not to quit when things aren’t going well.