As a vending machine business owner with over ten years in the game, I’ve learned that the right location can turn a simple vending machine into a serious money-maker. And sometimes, you find those golden spots where a weekend’s earnings can blow past expectations. Let me share a recent real-world success story that proves how lucrative vending can be when you play your cards right.
The Location: A High-Traffic Event Venue
A few months ago, I came across an opportunity to place a vending machine in a local event venue that hosts everything from weddings to corporate events. The owner mentioned that guests were constantly looking for quick snacks and drinks, especially during evening events when nearby stores were closed.
After a quick site visit, I saw the potential immediately. The venue had a large lobby with plenty of foot traffic, and the nearest convenience store was over a mile away. This meant attendees had limited snack options unless they wanted to leave the event. I knew this was a prime location.
The Strategy: Product Selection and Pricing
One of the biggest mistakes vending operators make is stocking machines with random products and hoping for the best. I took a more strategic approach:
- Surveyed the Event Staff: I asked employees what snacks and drinks they saw guests asking for the most. Energy drinks, bottled water, chips, and candy bars topped the list.
- Premium Pricing for Convenience: Since guests had no other quick snack options, I priced items slightly higher than a typical vending machine—$2 for bottled water, $3 for energy drinks, and $1.75 for chips and candy.
- Contactless Payment Options: Many event attendees don’t carry cash, so I ensured my machine accepted credit cards and mobile payments, which increased sales significantly.
The Results: $500 in Just Two Days
That first weekend, the venue hosted a wedding reception and a corporate networking event. By Sunday evening, I checked my sales report and was shocked—over $500 in revenue! The best-sellers were energy drinks and bottled water, which made up nearly 60% of sales.
Lessons Learned and Key Takeaways
- Location is Everything – High foot traffic, limited nearby competition, and a captive audience created the perfect vending setup.
- Stock What Sells – Understanding the specific needs of the location helped maximize sales.
- Use Cashless Payment Options – Most of my transactions came from credit cards and mobile payments, proving how important it is to offer multiple payment methods.
- Partnerships Matter – Building a good relationship with the venue owner meant I secured a prime spot with no competitors.
Want to Start Your Own Vending Business?
If you’re looking to break into the vending industry, having a solid business plan is key. That’s why I created the Vending Machine Business Proposal Template, available for instant digital download here. This template will help you craft a winning proposal to secure profitable locations just like this one.
And if you’re a business owner looking to brand your vending operation, check out my Custom Branded Hoodies here. A professional, uniform look goes a long way in building trust with locations and customers alike!
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the vending business or thinking about getting started, focus on securing high-traffic locations with a real demand for snacks and drinks. When you combine the right location with strategic product selection and modern payment options, you’ll be surprised at how quickly the profits add up.
This one vending machine is now a permanent placement, and every weekend, it brings in steady income with little effort. That’s the beauty of the vending business—once you find the right spot, it practically runs itself!
