Top 10 Best Locations For Vending Machines: Maximize Profit
Want to secure the best locations for vending machines? and want to start a profitable vending machine business?
This article comes in handy irrespective of what product you want to sell through your vending machine business.
Buying a vending machine can be a very profitable business for others. This business has very low investment, from as little as $150 to $400+ per machine plus inventory.
If placed in a great location and you are offering popular snacks and drinks, you will eventually make a huge profit from your vending machine.
In addition, you can offer individuals those treats and beverages that they require to sustain themselves during the day.
A complete win-win!
Before purchasing a vending machine, it’s crucial to craft a vending machine business plan outlining optimal locations for maximum profit.
Consider demographics and explore various vending machine types to align with your business objectives.
Best location factors, best business types, and best places to locate your vending machine.
Top 10 Best Locations For Vending Machines
You need permission to put your vending machine anywhere, even in the best locations for vending machines.
Most places will require you to follow state and local laws. You will often have to sign a contract with the owner.
Read up on state and local vending laws when you research.
What are the best locations for vending machines?
Some places for businesses are better than others. You want to choose businesses that have a lot of foot traffic on a daily basis.
Every site a vending operator considers should be looked at individually, but these are ten of the best places to start if you have been questioning where can you put a vending machine.
1. Apartments and Complexes
Vending machines can be used in apartment complexes where there is a constant traffic of people moving in and out at all hours.
Many of these also have laundry rooms, parks and playgrounds, common areas, party rooms, or gyms.
These are great places for vending machines, as all community members are free to use the spaces, and many residents indeed use the areas regularly.
One or more points on the property may be ideal locations for hosting vending machines that offer a selection of food & beverage items.
2. Car Dealerships
The average consumer is willing to spend nearly 3 hours at a car lot/dealership when shopping for a new automobile. They also exhibit very high foot traffic and stay open very late hours of the evening.
Besides automobile sales, most dealerships have full-service centers that expect customers to wait between an hour and a half to 3 hours on average.
Not to mention the sales, technicians, and service staff all rely on vending machines for quick food and beverage options.
All these reasons combine to make car dealerships one of the top-grossing locations for vending machines.
The good news is, that most car dealerships are part of a larger family of dealerships—which presents you with the perfect opportunity for growing your business into new locales.
3. Educational Institutes
Schools happen to be the best places because students most probably are busy and hungry since they need quick snacks.
Healthy vending machines especially in schools can be an attraction for most parents and administrators for the welfare of students.
College dorms can also benefit from vending machines that accept bank, credit, or school meal plan cards.
4. Gyms
Gym goers invariably work up an appetite, and when they’re done working out, they don’t want to be stopped by the drive-through next door; they would like to have something healthy.
Therefore, gyms and fitness centers alike would be the prime locations to install vending machines filled with healthy snacks and drinks to help people refuel after working up a sweat.
The employees working there also benefit from a vending machine of healthy choices, for they usually are employees on an hourly wage scale with only limited time to spare on breaks.
5. Healthcare Facilities
Similar to hospitals, they are open 24/7, 365 days a year. Residents enjoy the snack options, and for visitors, vending is a quick option to get back to being with their loved ones.
Lastly, because most nursing home care staff work longer shifts with short breaks, vending is a perfect option for them to keep them energized for the duration of their shift.
All of these factors make for a very profitable and high-vend location.
6. Hospitals
Hospitals can never be found closed. They are open 24/7, 365 days a year. Hospitals are here to offer three very distinct types of buyers.
For patients, vending can offer a nice treat and a break from traditional food.
Staff and caretakers love the ease and variety offered by vending machines, but they don’t have time to venture out to eat at nearby eateries.
Finally, visitors who are visiting and taking care of loved ones will often want to grab a quick snack from vending machines in order to spend more time with the patients.
Being open 24/7 with multiple shifts and multiple buyers is the perfect scenario for making profits with vending machines.
7. Manufacturing or Distribution Facilities
Vending machines are suitable for manufacturing facilities, industrial parks, and distribution centers.
In these types of businesses, there are generally hundreds of workers involved over various shifts, most of which are 24 hours.
Many of these types of businesses have very short breaks, and employees do not truly have time to visit a restaurant offsite.
Thus, manufacturing units are considered one of the best locations for ice vending machines in the break room for people with some options, as well as offering the vending business a great source of steady income.
8. Motels and Hotels
What is the best location for a vending machine?
Hotel and motel guests are captive audiences for vending machines. Even if a hotel has a restaurant, not every guest wants a full meal or is willing to pay for it.
Several hotels possess micro-markets, however, they are typically located in the lobby, and not all guests are inclined to descend for a brief snack, particularly when they have the option to grab one on their floor.
The introduction of vending machines can be a great strategy for creating continuous revenue, as seen in the lobby, side entrances, and near the ice machine.
9. Offices
Another good location is businesses with 50 or more employees. People get hungry and thirsty throughout the work day and vending machines can cater to those needs.
The majority of people in today’s busy world will not take the time to pack drinks, snacks, or lunches for themselves.
How to find vending machine contracts?
Locate the details of the person offering such contracts and directly visit him in person.
10. Retail Stores
In a retail store, the vending machine would have two direct audiences: customers walking in and out of the store and the employee base.
Vending machines appeal because people are usually hungry and thirsty when they go about running their errands, so a vending machine near the entrance would be a good way to capture some of this foot traffic and take advantage of impulse buys.
The employee base is also an important factor.
Retail employees typically get one or two ten-minute rest breaks during their work shift, in addition to a meal break.
Most times, they do not have time to go out to the restaurant to grab a meal or snack, and vending machines provide a cheap means of fuel before heading back out to the floor.
How to put a vending machine in a mall?
For that, you need to contact the mall owner and request them. You may also need a license and permission for the same.
Related Content: Vending Machine Technology: Revolutionizing Your Business
Key Takeaways
It may take considerable effort to identify profitable as well as best locations for vending machines and then secure them.
If you put in the work to place machines at sites that are really good, the vending business can produce great amounts of money.
Always look for new locations and engage with your community to see new possibilities for revenue and profits.
Additionally, vending machine locations for rent are a considerable option if you find one that comes with a vending machine needed tag.
I hope this answers your question of where to put vending machines or where can I put a vending machine.
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