A vending machine in a great location can make $500+/month. The same machine in a bad location might make $50. Location selection is the single biggest factor in your success.
I've ranked every major location type based on profit potential, foot traffic, ease of securing, and competition. Use this guide to prioritize where you spend your time prospecting.
S-Tier: Best Locations (High Profit, Worth the Effort)
🏭 Manufacturing Plants & Factories S-TIER
The gold standard of vending locations. Workers need snacks and drinks, especially on long shifts. Multiple shifts mean sales around the clock. Limited food alternatives on-site.
Tips: Target plants with 50+ employees. Offer energy drinks and hearty snacks. Night shifts are often the highest-selling periods.
🏥 Hospitals & Medical Centers S-TIER
24/7 operation, constant foot traffic from staff, patients, and visitors. Cafeterias close at night but vending doesn't. Premium pricing accepted.
Tips: Harder to secure (often go through procurement). Offer healthy options. Target waiting areas and staff break rooms.
🏨 Hotels & Motels S-TIER
Guests want late-night snacks and drinks. No nearby alternatives at 2am. Premium pricing is expected. Budget hotels and motels are easier to secure than chains.
Tips: Focus on independent hotels, not big chains. Place near ice machines or elevators. Stock drinks, snacks, and travel essentials.
A-Tier: Excellent Locations (Reliable Performers)
🔧 Auto Shops & Service Centers A-TIER
Mechanics work long hours and get hungry. Customers wait for repairs. Usually no food nearby. Owners make quick decisions.
Tips: Easy to approach—just walk in. Stock energy drinks and filling snacks. Great for beginners.
🏢 Office Buildings (50-200 employees) A-TIER
Consistent weekday traffic. Employees snack throughout the day. Sweet spot is 50-200 employees—big enough for sales, small enough to not have a cafeteria.
Tips: Target buildings without on-site food options. Place in break rooms. Expect lower weekend sales.
🚗 Car Dealerships A-TIER
Service department customers wait for hours. Sales staff work long days. Often overlooked by other operators.
Tips: Target the service department waiting area. Customers are a captive audience while their car is serviced.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers A-TIER
Members want protein bars, sports drinks, and water. Health-focused products command premium prices. Avoid big chain gyms—target independent fitness centers.
Tips: Stock protein bars, energy drinks, water, and healthy snacks. Avoid junk food—it doesn't fit the environment.
B-Tier: Good Locations (Solid, Consistent)
🧺 Laundromats B-TIER
Customers wait 30-60 minutes with nothing to do. Captive audience. Owners usually don't want commission—just the amenity.
Tips: Great for beginners. Low commission expectations. Stock drinks and snacks for the wait.
🏪 Apartment Complexes B-TIER
Residents want convenience, especially late at night. Target complexes with 100+ units. Place near laundry rooms or common areas.
Tips: Talk to property managers. Larger complexes are better. 24/7 access is a plus.
🚌 Bus Stations & Transit Hubs B-TIER
High foot traffic, travelers need snacks. But often controlled by transit authorities with complex bidding processes.
Tips: Smaller regional stations are easier than major hubs. Expect higher commission or rent requirements.
🎳 Bowling Alleys & Recreation Centers B-TIER
Families and groups spend hours here. Snack bar competition, but vending offers convenience. Weekend-heavy traffic.
Tips: Place away from the snack bar. Stock candy, chips, and drinks. Expect seasonal variation.
C-Tier: Situational Locations (Can Work, Be Selective)
🏫 Schools & Universities C-TIER
High traffic but heavily regulated. Many schools require healthy options only. Summer breaks kill revenue. Often require formal bidding.
Tips: Universities are easier than K-12. Target dorms and student centers. Be prepared for healthy vending requirements.
🏬 Retail Stores C-TIER
Customers are there to shop, not snack. Works better in stores with long browse times (furniture, appliances). Break rooms for staff can be good.
Tips: Target employee break rooms rather than customer areas. Big box stores often have corporate contracts.
⛽ Gas Stations C-TIER
High traffic but direct competition with the convenience store. Only works if placed outside or in a separate area (like a car wash waiting room).
Tips: Generally avoid unless there's a specific opportunity like a car wash area. Too much competition.
Locations to Avoid
- Very small offices (<30 employees): Not enough traffic to justify the machine
- Locations with cafeterias: Too much competition
- High-crime areas: Theft and vandalism will eat your profits
- Seasonal businesses: Revenue drops to zero in off-season
- Remote locations far from your route: Gas and time costs kill margins
How to Evaluate Any Location
Use this checklist for any potential location:
- Foot traffic: How many people pass by daily? (Target 50+ minimum)
- Dwell time: Do people stay long enough to buy? (Waiting rooms > hallways)
- Competition: Are there other food/drink options nearby?
- Hours: Is it open evenings/weekends? 24/7 is best.
- Commission: What percentage do they want? (Keep under 15% if possible)
- Route fit: Is it near your other machines?
Track All Your Locations
VendHub helps you manage every location, track performance, and know exactly which spots are making money.
Final Advice
Don't chase every location—be selective. One S-tier location is worth five C-tier locations. Spend your time prospecting the best opportunities, not filling your route with mediocre spots.
And remember: a "no" today might be a "yes" in six months. Keep a list of promising locations and follow up periodically.