How to Start a Vending Route

Starting a vending route does not have to be difficult, however, there are steps that you need to know in order to start your own route. If you were to buy an established route it would be easier, but to start your own route there are three main things you need. First, you need customers, then you need merchandise to sell, and finally the machines to sell the merchandise in.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Customers
• Machines
• Merchandise
• Contract

1. Acquire the customers for your vending business. Good locations are airports, bowling alleys, factories, auto repair shops, in front of strip malls or any place where there is a lot of traffic and people are congregating.
2. Start looking for vending machines because you will need them soon after signing the contract. You can find information for vending machine resellers from the sites listed in the resource section. This will help you to know what prices you need to charge in order to make a profit.
3. Start looking for suppliers for the merchandise you will sell in the vending machines.
4. Locate the owner of the property and present your ideas to him. Try to make your ideas unique or offer your products for less than the competition.
5. Sign a contract. Contracts are usually for a year at a time and the owner of the property is given a percentage of the gross. Before signing the contract make sure you can deliver the machines.
6. Acquires the vending machines and merchandise. Once you receive and set them up, your vending route is started!
7. Make sure you keep your machines well stocked and as your profits grow, you will be able to buy more machines to put in more locations.

Tips & Warnings

• Frito Lay and Pepsi Cola are two companies to contact for merchandise.
• Don't sign the contract before you have the machines and merchandise you will need.