How to Get Vending Machine Locations
You can secure vending machine locations by approaching businesses directly, clearly explaining the value you provide, and offering simple deal structures like rent or revenue share. They often start with a 3–6 month trial period to reduce risk.
Why Getting Locations Feels Hard (But Isn’t)
Most beginners hesitate here because it feels like “selling.”
But in reality, you’re offering something businesses already understand:
Added convenience for customers or employees
Potential passive revenue
A service that requires no effort from them
You’re not asking for a favor, you’re proposing a mutual benefit.
Step 1: Find the Right Businesses First
Before reaching out, do a quick evaluation:
Is there steady foot traffic?
Do people stay in the space for a while?
Are there limited food options nearby?
Is there already a vending machine?
Walking into the wrong location makes the pitch harder than it needs to be.
Step 2: Choose Your Outreach Method
There are three main ways to approach businesses:
1. Walk-In (Door-to-Door)
Best for local businesses like gyms, offices, or service shops.
Why it works:
Face-to-face conversations build trust quickly and allow you to read the situation.
2. Cold Call
Efficient for reaching multiple locations quickly.
Tip:
Keep it simple. Your goal is just to get a conversation started.
3. Cold Email
Best for offices, property managers, or larger organizations.
Tip:
Focus on clarity, not length. One strong message is better than a long explanation.
Step 3: What to Say (Your Value Proposition)
When you talk to a business, focus on what they care about:
Convenience for employees or customers
Improved experience in their space
Potential revenue share
You can position it like:
“We install and maintain vending machines that give your customers or staff easy access to snacks and drinks, with no cost or effort on your end.”
Step 4: Understand Deal Structures
There are three common ways to structure a vending agreement:
Fixed Rent
You pay the business a set monthly fee.
Predictable cost
Keeps all revenue beyond that
Best for:
Locations where you’re confident in consistent sales
Revenue Share (10–30%)
You give the business a percentage of sales.
Lower upfront risk
More attractive to the business
Tradeoff:
Reduces your margins
Hybrid (Rent + Revenue Share)
A combination of both.
Often used in higher-value locations
Step 5: Use a Trial Period to Close Deals
One of the most effective strategies is offering a 3–6 month trial.
This reduces risk for the business:
No long-term commitment
Performance-based decision
Why it works:
It removes hesitation and lets your results speak for themselves.
Step 6: After You Land the Location
Getting the location is just the beginning.
To keep it long-term:
Restock consistently
Monitor which products sell
Adjust inventory based on demand
Stay in communication with the business
A well-maintained machine builds trust—and makes renewal easy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pitching without understanding the business
Overcomplicating your offer
Ignoring follow-up after installation
Accepting bad deal terms without evaluating profitability
