26 Profitable Vending Machine Business Ideas To Start In [2024]

David Gitonga

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Updated: November 28th, 2022

Are you Interested in starting a vending machine business?

A vending machine business provides customers with a safer, healthier, and more hygienic shopping experience.

As consumers become more health-conscious, starting a vending machine business could be more profitable than ever.

This post covers 26 profitable vending machine business ideas you can start.

Here they are:

1. Start a vending business

Vending businesses make money selling snacks, beverages, sandwiches, detergents, and other products that customers can purchase through the vending machine.

The cost of starting a vending business is just that of buying the machine and stocking it. If your vending machine is within a shopping mall, you may have to pay a rental fee and business license for the local authorities to allow you to operate the business.

If you are considering starting a vending machine business, consider the possible products you can sell using the machine. You need to find a suitable location and choose the right type of vending machine.

How much you can make: $30,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

I Converted My Side Hustle Into A Full-Blown $10K/Month Vending Machine Business

iKrave Vending founder Lakinya started her vending machine business after observing the lack of consultants who specialize in vending machine operations, and now offers online training courses and mentoring to help others achieve success in the billion-dollar industry.

About

Lakinya started iKrave Vending over 6 years ago

Revenue

Lakinya grew the business to $30K/month

Costs

It cost Lakinya $2000 to start the business

Read this case study

Read by 3,641 founders

2. Start a bitcoin vending machine

A bitcoin vending machine allows customers to purchase bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

To Start a bitcoin vending machine you need to buy a bitcoin ATM and register the AML/KYC requirements with the BTM compliance. Then, you have to secure a steady bitcoin supply before deploying the machine to a secure location. Finally, you need to load service cash before launching the business.

The BTMs recoup costs through a margin for profit attached to any fees levied on the consumer. With the rate of fees and the overall popularity of Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency ATM is still a highly profitable venture.

3. Start a wine vending business

The wine industry is very profitable. As the industry grows, new business opportunities are opening up. An excellent example of a good wine business is a vending machine. You can set up a wine vending business at different locations so long as the sale of alcohol in such sites is not prohibited. Before starting a wine vending business, ensure you have met all licensing and permit requirements.

4. Start a vegan vending machine

Veganism is the new food trend. It is the latest trend because a vegan diet is high in fiber and lower in cholesterol compared to omnivorous diets. In addition, research has shown that a vegan diet lowers the risk of heart disease and avoids premature death while helping manage type 2 diabetes.

As more people switch to a vegan lifestyle, starting a vegan vending business can be a great opportunity. You can

5. Start a vending organic personal care products

More consumers have become health conscious and are seeking wellness inspired personal care products. Experts project that organic personal care market will reach approximately 42 billion in a few years. Therefore, starting a organic personal care products business could be a highly profitable venture.

6. Start a soda vending business

Soft drink is considered one of the most profitable business ventures. According to statistics, revenue from the soft drinks business is expected to grow annually by 5.47% over the next years.

Therefore, starting a soda vending business from a strategic location could be profitable. If you are starting a soda vending business, ensure an effective marketing channel with transparent and achievable objectives.

7. Start a vegetable vending business

Many families love eating vegetables. According to statistics, the global consumption volume of veggies is approximately 504 million metric tons. With the high demand for vegetables, starting a vegetable vending business can be highly profitable. You can set up a vegetable vending machine in your neighborhood or at a farmer's market.

8. Start a healthy-snack vending business

As consumers become more health conscious, demand for more nutritious demand is increasing gradually. Amid the growing health snack segment, starting a health-snack vending business can be a great business idea.

To start a health-snack vending business, identify a high-potential market and a strategic location for your vending machine. You may focus on a particular segment, such as plant-based snacks, yogurts, nuts, seed mixes, non-GMO multigrain chips, healthy bars, etc.

9. Start a candy vending business

Nothing feels good than satisfying a candy lover’s cravings while creating regular income from the consistent demand. If you are planning to start a vending machine business consider a candy vending business.

While candy vending machines remain the most popular by far, they bring a high-profit margin. Besides, the candy business is a low startup costs business with high-profit margins. In addition, creating brand loyalty and attaining a high customer retention rate is easy.

According to statistics, the candy market in the US alone is valued at $12 billion and increasing steadily. Therefore, starting a candy vending business today has a high-profit potential.

10. Start a coffee vending machine

Most people agree that drinking coffee is a necessity in their daily lives. As such, there is a high demand for coffee, and you might want to install a coffee vending machine. You can set up coffee vending machines in shopping malls, supermarkets, laundromats, colleges, and other high-traffic locations. Setting up the coffee vending machines near entryways and exits to the business is a good idea.

11. Start a burger vending business

Are you considering starting your own burger business? You may consider a burger vending machine. According to USDA, Americans consume an average of 2.4 burgers daily, up to about 50 billion burgers annually. Starting a burger vending business in 2024 can be lucrative. To succeed, you will must ensure great-tasting burgers and fries and offer a convenient service within a great serving atmosphere.

12. Start a sandwich vending machine

Starting a cold and hot sandwich vending machine within a high-traffic area such as metro stations, office squares, colleges, schools, or shopping malls can be a lucrative business opportunity. If you are setting up this business, consider serving a wide variety of sandwiches such as bacon, grilled chicken, turkey, tuna, and grilled sandwiches.

13. Start a pizza vending machine

Pizza is without doubt favorite food for many people and wherever you go, you will find customers walking into a pizza outlet. To thousands of these customers, pizza is not just a meal, it is an experience.

Therefore, starting a pizza vending business could be one of the most profitable business ventures within the food industry. To maximize profitability, make sure your pizza business is within a high-traffic area like near parks, schools, in front of restaurants, hotels and universities.

14. Start an ice cream vending cart business

Ice cream businesses are probably the most visited shops by people of all ages. In addition, ice cream is the most popular dessert in the world, with the average American consuming about 22ibs of ice cream annually.

If you are interested in starting a dessert-related business, consider setting up an ice cream vending machine. But first, understand the basics of the ice cream business and map out every decision and cost of starting the business, and budget accordingly.

15. Start a pasta vending machine

Experts project that the global pasta market will reach approximately 64 billion by the year 2028. They attribute the market growth to the fact that pasta is easy to cook, a factor driving its widespread adoption.

Therefore, setting up your pasta vending business could be the best business opportunity.

16. Start a milkshake vending machine business

Milkshake vending is another top business idea of today. The best locations for setting up the milkshake vending machine include schools, universities, office blocks, and metro and train stations. Typically, when setting up a milkshake vending business, consider high-traffic locations. Also, proper advertising and including accompaniments such as cakes and other snacks can help push up the milkshake sales.

17. Start a beauty products vending machine

If you are passionate about supplying beauty products that make them look their best, you may want to start a beauty product vending business. The cosmetics businesses represent a multi-billion-dollar industry, creating a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs.

You may want to vend beauty products by a particular brand, such as L’Oréal and Estee Lauder, or a mix of brands to maximize reach. Alternatively, you can create your line of beauty products and stock your vending machine with these products.

18. Start a fresh juice vending business

Experts project that the global fruit and vegetable juice market will witness a CAGR of 4.85% over the next few years. Factors driving the growing market include the rising health-conscious population and the growing popularity of cold-pressed fresh juices.

Therefore, starting a fresh-juice vending machine business within city centers, tourist destinations, office complexes, colleges, and schools can be lucrative.

19. Start a dairy products vending business

The global dairy market is projected to reach about 1128 billion in the next few years. Urbanization, rising incomes, and changing dietary habits are some reasons for the increased demand for dairy products. Therefore, starting a dairy product vending business could be highly profitable. Examples of profitable dairy products you can vend include butter, cheese, yogurt, and milk.

If starting a dairy product vending business, consider locations with a high population, such as residential places.

20. Start a cigarette vending machine

A cigarette is one of the highly in-demand tobacco products. Depending on location, a cigarette vending machine can pay off in the first few months. If you plan to start a cigarette vending business, consider areas where tobacco sales are permitted. To minimize startup costs first purchase the high on-demand cigarette brands. Ensure a competent display of brands and analyze what sells best in your preferred location.

21. Start a liquor vending business

Liquor consumers have shown that it’s just about the last thing they will cut out of budget. Sales of alcoholic beverages have yet to be seriously affected by any recession, uncertainty, pandemic, or other factors that affect other businesses.

Therefore, you may consider starting a liquor vending business in areas where the law permits. It is easy to choose a niche as you can focus on wine, beer, whiskey, or even craft beer.

22. Start an automatic ticket vending machine

Automatic ticket vending machines can be a good business idea. You can sell tickets for different events like plays, balls, movies, exhibitions, etc. you can place ticket vending machines at different locations in a city or town, especially outside stadiums, auditoriums, or theatres.

23. Start a popcorn vending business

Popcorn is one of the fastest-growing snack food businesses among entrepreneurs. Starting a popcorn vending business does not require huge capital. All you should ensure is a high-traffic location such as a shopping mall, a movie theatre, or a metro station. Serve fresh popcorn and ensure your machine is always stocked.

24. Start a stationery vending business

Notebooks, pens, pencils, and erasers are some of the fastest-selling stationery items. Identify ideal customers, and ensure your stationery vending machine is strategically located. Best locations include office blocks and all learning institutions.

25. Start a detergent vending machine

Detergent vending machines provide customers with laundry detergents such as fabric softeners, bleach, and soaps. You can locate a detergent vending machine in laundromats, hostels, residential areas, or other high-traffic areas.

26. Start a sushi vending business

Sushi demand is higher than ever across the globe. Thus, starting a sushi vending business in city centers, residential areas, and within popular tourist attraction spots could be a lucrative opportunity. Ensure fresh products, especially fresh fish, maximize profitability.

meet the author

David Gitonga

"The best life hack of all is to just put the work in and never give up" - Bas Rutten (UFC Heavyweight Champion). Hey there! I am a talented freelancer passionate about writing and researching all topics business and entrepreneurship.

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