I've placed machines in locations that seemed perfect—only to pull them out months later because they weren't making money. Every bad location taught me something.
Now, before I commit to any location, I run through these 10 questions. They've saved me from countless mistakes. Print this out, save it to your phone, whatever—just use it.
How many people are here daily?
You need foot traffic to make sales. Ask the business owner or manager how many employees, customers, or visitors come through daily.
Target: 50+ people daily minimum. 100+ is better. Under 30? Walk away.
What hours is the location open?
A 24/7 location has more selling hours than a 9-5 office. Night shifts at manufacturing plants can be goldmines.
Why it matters: More hours = more opportunities for sales.
Is there other food/drink access nearby?
If there's a cafeteria, break room with free snacks, or a convenience store next door, your machine has competition.
Ideal: Limited alternatives. Your machine should be the easiest option.
Where exactly will the machine go?
Visibility matters. A machine tucked in a back hallway won't sell like one near the entrance or break room.
Best spots: Break rooms, near entrances/exits, high-traffic hallways, waiting areas.
Is there a dedicated electrical outlet?
Vending machines need power. Make sure there's an outlet nearby that can handle the load (especially for refrigerated machines).
Check: Outlet within 6 feet, not shared with other high-draw equipment.
What commission do they expect?
Some locations want 10%, others want 25%, some want nothing. Know this upfront—it directly impacts your profit.
Negotiate: Start at 10%. Only go higher for proven high-traffic spots.
Who had machines here before?
If another operator left, find out why. Was it low sales? Problems with the location? This is valuable intel.
Red flag: Multiple operators have come and gone. There's probably a reason.
How secure is the location?
Theft and vandalism are real. Is the area well-lit? Are there cameras? Is the machine in a supervised area?
Avoid: Unsupervised outdoor locations, high-crime areas, places with known theft issues.
How far is this from my other machines?
Route efficiency matters. A machine 30 miles from your other locations costs more in gas and time to service.
Ideal: Within 5-10 miles of existing machines. Cluster your locations.
Can I get a trial period?
Ask for a 30-60 day trial before signing a long-term agreement. This lets you test the location with real data.
Smart move: "Let's try 60 days and see how it goes" protects you from bad locations.
The Quick Scoring System
After asking these questions, I score each location:
- 8-10 "yes" answers: Great location, move forward
- 6-7 "yes" answers: Decent, but negotiate hard on commission
- 5 or fewer: Pass. There are better locations out there.
Bonus: Questions to Ask Yourself
- Does this location fit my existing route?
- Can I realistically service this location on my schedule?
- What's my gut telling me about this place?
- Would I be okay pulling this machine in 6 months if it doesn't work?
Trust your instincts. If something feels off about a location, it probably is. There are always more locations—don't force a bad fit.
Track All Your Locations in One Place
VendHub helps you manage every location, track performance, and know exactly which spots are making money.
Final Thought
The best operators I know are picky about locations. They'd rather have 5 great machines than 15 mediocre ones. Use this checklist, trust the process, and don't settle for locations that don't check the boxes.
Your future self will thank you.