Vending Machine Routes 2023: How to Buy Vending Routes

Discover profitable vending machine routes for consistent income. Find, buy, and build a successful vending business.

One of the most important aspects of Vending business is establishing a vending machine route.

Starting a vending machine route involves researching the industry, choosing machines, finding locations, obtaining permits, and installing machines. You can either buy an existing route or start your own.

Key Takeaways

• Vending machine routes are a collection of vending machines located at various locations, managed by a single owner or company.
• To buy a complete vending machine route, research available routes for sale, evaluate the potential profitability, and negotiate a fair price with the seller.
• To start a vending machine route, determine the type of machines and products you’ll sell, find locations to place the machines, and establish a maintenance and restocking schedule.

What are Vending Machine Routes?

Vending machine routes are collections of machines managed by a single owner or company. You can think of them as a network of vending machines placed in different locations.

These machines can be found in schools, hospitals, offices, and other public places.

When you own a vending machine route, you are responsible for maintaining the machines, restocking them, and collecting the money. It’s important to have a good system in place to keep track of inventory and cash flow.

READ: Apply for Vending Machine License: Step-By-Step Tutorials

Vending Machine Routes for Sale in the USA

Here’s a table of the routes with their latest info. You can inquire about them from VendingExchange.

Route Located	Pricing	Details
Fairfield, Connecticut	Asking Price: $70,000	With a low time commitment, a highly profitable route that operates 24/7 and generates over $4,300 in monthly revenue.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Asking Price: $250,000	With just 2 vending machines, it’s already making an impressive $16,200 per month, and the revenue continues to grow.
Tampa, Florida	Asking Price: $35,000	Located in sunny Tampa, Florida, this vending route boasts new equipment and solid locations. Minimal time commitment of only 2-4 hours per week.
Kingman, Arizona	Asking Price: $130,000	Averages an impressive $10,300 in revenue, with plenty of room for growth. With 55 machines spread across 22 locations, the potential is tremendous.
Atlanta, Georgia	Asking Price: $71,500	With only 2 locations, this route brings in over $4,500 per month, thanks to auto-renewing contracts.
Columbia, South Carolina	Asking Price: $250,000	With monthly earnings of over $14,000, it is an excellent opportunity for steady income.
Phoenix, Arizona	Asking Price: $40,000	8 combo machines spread across 8 different locations.
Buford, Georgia	Asking Price: $49,500	4 new machines are still under warranty.
Rochester, Iowa	Asking Price: $600,000	22 locations and almost a half-million in sales.
Charlotte, North Carolina	Asking Price: $35,000	Great opportunity to take over an established route.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Asking Price: $700,000	Great opportunity to take over an established route that is all within 20 minutes of each other.

How to Buy a Complete Vending Machine Route?

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Research

Before buying a vending machine route, it’s important to do your research.

Look for vending machine trends for 2023 and the ROI of vending machines. Understanding these aspects will help you make informed decisions about the products you want to sell and your chosen locations.

You can find this information online or by talking to industry experts.

Step 2: Determine Your Budget

Determine your budget for buying a vending machine route.

Consider the cost of the machines, inventory, and any other expenses such as maintenance and repairs.

Step 3: Find Vending Machine Routes for Sale

There are several ways to find vending machine routes for sale. You can look online on websites such as DealStream.com and BizBuySell.com.

You can even contact local business brokers and ask if they know of any vending routes for sale.

Step 4: Evaluate the Route

Once you have found a vending machine route for sale, evaluate it carefully.

Look at the gross revenue, inventory, and cash flow. Consider the location of the machines and the products being sold. You may also want to talk to the current owner to get a better understanding of the route.

Step 5: Negotiate the Sale

Consider factors such as the price, payment terms, and any warranties or guarantees. Make sure to get everything in writing before finalizing the sale.

Benefits of Vending Machine Routes

Vending machine routes offer a flexible business model that can provide a steady stream of income with relatively low overhead costs.

Here are some of the benefits of owning a vending machine route:

Benefit 1: Convenience

Vending machines are convenient for customers who need a quick snack or drink on the go.

As a vending machine route owner, you can place machines in high-traffic areas such as schools, hospitals, and office buildings, making it easy for customers to access your products. This convenience can lead to repeat business and increased profits.

Benefit 2: Low Overhead Costs

Starting a vending machine route requires minimal overhead costs compared to other businesses.

You don’t need a physical storefront, and the cost of inventory is relatively low. It has much flexibility and you can manage your route from a home office, reducing the cost of rent and utilities.

Benefit 3: Flexibility

As a vending machine route owner, you have the flexibility to set your own hours and manage your own schedule. You can work part-time or full-time, depending on your needs and goals.

This flexibility can be especially appealing to those who want to supplement their income or work from home.

Benefit 4: Scalability

You can add machines to your route and expand into new locations, increasing your profits over time.

This scalability allows you to grow your business at your own pace and according to your own goals.

Benefit 5: Passive Income

Once your vending machines are set up and running, they can provide a steady stream of passive income.

You don’t need to be present to make sales, and the machines require minimal maintenance. This passive income can provide financial stability and freedom, allowing you to pursue other interests or investments.

Pros and Cons of Vending Machine Business Routes

Pros	Cons
Can provide an established customer base and locations	Potential overpayment for equipment and location
Opportunity to start generating income immediately	Longer time to recoup investment compared to starting your own route
Potential for passive income	Limited control over the business and its operations
Reduced risk compared to starting from scratch	Dependence on the reputation and performance of the previous owner
Existing systems and processes in place	Possible inflated vending numbers and undisclosed issues
Ability to leverage someone else’s experience	Limited flexibility to make changes or improvements
Potential for immediate cash flow from existing machines	Higher upfront cost compared to starting your own route
Possibility to expand the existing route and increase profitability	Lack of personalization and branding opportunities
Access to established supplier and account relationships	Limited opportunity for creativity and innovation

Please note that the pros and cons may vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific vending machine business route being considered.

It’s important to conduct thorough research and due diligence before making any investment decisions.

How to Start a Vending Machine Route

Starting a vending machine route can be a great way to earn extra income. Here are some steps to get you started.

Step 1: Researching Potential Locations

Before you start your vending machine route, you need to research potential locations.

Look for high-traffic areas where people are likely to be hungry or thirsty. Some good locations include schools, hospitals, and office buildings.

Step 2: Purchasing Vending Machines

Once you have identified potential locations, you need to purchase vending machines.

You can buy new or used machines, depending on your budget. Make sure to choose machines that are appropriate for the location.

For example, if you are placing machines in a school, you may want to choose machines that sell healthy snacks and drinks.

Step 3: Stocking the Machines

After you have purchased your vending machines, you need to stock them with products.

Make sure to choose products that are popular and in demand. You can also consider offering healthy options like fruit and granola bars.

Keep an inventory of your products and restock the machines regularly to ensure that they are always full.

Step 4: Maintaining the Machines

To keep your vending machines in good condition, you need to maintain them regularly.

This includes cleaning the machines, checking the coin mechanisms and bill validators, and making any necessary repairs. You should also keep track of your sales and profits to make sure that your vending machine route is profitable.

Are Vending Machine Business Routes Profitable: With Example

To some extent, vending machine business routes may not be as profitable as they initially seem. When purchasing a vending route, you not only pay for the equipment but also overpay for the income potential of the machines.

Let’s break it down:

Imagine a vending machine that generates $1,000 per month, which is considered on the high end. If you buy that machine as part of a route, you’ll be paying approximately $12,000 for the location alone.

Plus, you would need to consider the cost of the equipment, let’s say around $4,000, bringing the total investment to around $15,000 to $16,000.

The problem arises in the time it takes to recover this investment. It could take up to two years or even longer to recoup the initial investment. In contrast, if you start your own vending business from scratch, every dollar you make from day one is pure profit.

There’s no waiting period for a return on investment—it’s all yours to keep.

• It’s important to note that buying a vending route is similar to buying into a franchise. You’re essentially purchasing someone else’s business, which comes with certain challenges. Due diligence is crucial in this process.
• Check the records, assess the systems in place, and determine where the inventory is sourced. Some people may exaggerate their vending numbers to make the routes seem more appealing, so be cautious and do your research.
• Ensure that the vending machines you purchase have credit card readers. This allows you to track the actual income generated by the machines on a monthly basis, providing you with concrete data to make informed decisions.

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