Bad locations kill routes.
A machine in a dead hallway might do $30/month. A decent breakroom with 75+ employees can do $300-$500/month.
A1 The no-hype route starter
Start a Vending Route That Actually Pays for Itself.
Machine prices, location commissions, and route math - the numbers most "vending gurus" won't show you.
We guarantee 100% privacy. Your information will not be shared.
Free calculatorNo franchise pitchBuilt for first routes
VENDINGSTARTUPSNACK MATH
A1PLANFREE
A2COST$2.5K
A3LOCATE75+
B1STOCK50%
B2SELL$2
B3NET->
SELECT A1
A1
YOUR PLAN DROPS HERE
Free route profit calculator no signup required
$0 franchise fees100% location-first mathNo income guarantees. Just math.
Avoid the expensive lessons
Two mistakes can bury your first route.
The machine is not the business. The location and acquisition price are.
Overpriced machine scams.
A used combo machine often costs $1,500-$3,500 refurbished. "Business opportunity" resellers may charge $7,000+ for a comparable unit.
Free field tool
The Location Scouting Checklist
Walk into a potential account knowing what to count, what to ask, and when to walk away.
- 75+ on-site occupants?
- Few nearby food options?
- 10-25% commission range known?
- Who decides on access and term?
The first-route manual
The VendingStartup Startup Guide
A practical vending machine business plan for buying one good machine, placing it deliberately, and knowing the math before you scale.
"This won't make you rich. It will keep you from wasting $5,000 on your first two mistakes."
Machine buying guideLicensing walkthroughOutreach scriptsRoute profit worksheet
VendingStartup guide
FREE Instant digital access. No cost, ever.Free route calculator
Does your route math work?
Move the numbers. VendingStartup updates the estimate instantly - before you buy the machine.
Your route
Enter one machine's numbers. Get monthly profit and payback time in seconds.
Status—
Monthly gross —
Monthly net profit —
Months to pay back machine —
Illustrative example only, not a guarantee. Assumes 30.4 sale-days per month. Excludes taxes, card fees, repairs, spoilage, financing costs and your labor. Real results depend on your location, product mix and effort.
Straight answers
Vending business FAQs
How much does it cost to start a vending machine business?+
A practical one-machine start is often about $2,000-$4,000 for a used machine, initial stock, moving, card-reader setup, and local permits.
Do I need a license for a vending machine route?+
Usually you need a general business license and a state sales-tax permit. Some cities require a vending permit, and health-department rules may apply to perishable products.
How much money does one vending machine make?+
There is no honest universal average. A weak location may gross under $50 a month; a solid workplace can gross several hundred dollars.
What is a normal location commission?+
Ten to twenty-five percent of gross sales is a common negotiating range, but it is not a rule.
Should I buy a new or used vending machine?+
A professionally refurbished, parts-supported machine can be the better first-route value. Verify card-reader compatibility and test every selection.
How many employees make a good workplace location?+
Seventy-five or more on-site employees is a useful first screen, not a guarantee. Access and nearby food alternatives matter too.
How often will I need to restock?+
Many small routes begin with weekly or every-other-week visits. Track sold units by product and visit.
Can vending machines create passive income?+
They can become systemized, but they are not passive at the start. Someone still has to stock, clean, repair, and reconcile the machines.
Pick your next move
Run the numbers. Then build the route.
Use the free VendingStartup calculator now, or get the full startup guide - free - and avoid the expensive first-route guesses.