How to Start a Vending Business
If the words "vending machine" bring to mind quick snacks and drinks, think again. The vending machine business now includes all types of models where people can get anything from cigarettes to hot coffee. They also come in all sizes and shapes, from the small ones that sell bubble gum and can be set on a table, to the giant ones that can be hung in the wall or set on the floor.
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Instructions
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Decide if you want to tackle a niche or prefer to diversify. If you're planning to start with small table vending machines, you can afford to sell a variety of small items, such as bubble gum, candy or small plastic toys. If you're choosing a large size machine, however, it may make more sense to stick to one item, such as beverages or snacks.
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Make a plan that includes where and how far you want to expand. If you have a car and will be servicing the route yourself, it may make more business sense to spread your machines over a large territory.
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Decide where should your machines be placed for maximum profit. Take a look at what's around and see how the machines fit in. Placing a vending machine in a hotel's lobby or a restaurant's entrance makes more sense than placing one outside a convenience store, where people can probably get the same stuff for less.
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Lease machines from a company that offers support, such as Vending Placement. Companies such as these help you choose vending locations, coaches you through the process and then provides ongoing phone support (see Resources below).
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Know how much you can afford. A small tabletop candy machine in inexpensive to lease monthly, while a large floor machine that sells a variety of snacks is much more expensive. There may also be set up fees and other charges.
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Tips & Warnings
Think outside the box. You can start by placing machines that sell miniature toys at a dentist's office or a bus station. Sell coffee anywhere people are forced to wait, such as airports, office buildings and large shopping centers.
Some places may ask for a commission on your sales in exchange for letting you place the machine in their premises. Consider whether this is worthy or not by evaluating the traffic in the area and the price of your product to see if you can make enough of a profit to justify the added expense.
