You can have the best machine, the best products, and the best prices—but without good locations, you have nothing. Location hunting is where most new operators struggle, and it's where many give up.
I'm going to share exactly how I landed my first 10 locations, including the scripts I used, the mistakes I made, and what actually works.
The Mindset Shift
First, understand this: you're not asking for a favor. You're offering a service. Businesses want vending machines—they just don't want the hassle of finding an operator.
When you approach a business, you're solving their problem. Their employees want snacks and drinks. You provide that at zero cost to them. That's the frame you need to operate from.
Where to Look: Best Location Types
Not all locations are equal. Here are the best places to target when you're starting out:
🏭 Manufacturing Plants & Warehouses
Workers need snacks and energy drinks. Limited food options nearby. Often have multiple shifts. My best-performing locations are factories.
🔧 Auto Shops & Service Centers
Mechanics work long hours and get hungry. Usually no nearby food options. Owners are often easy to talk to and make quick decisions.
🧺 Laundromats
People wait 30-60 minutes with nothing to do. Captive audience. Owners usually don't want commission—just the amenity for customers.
🏢 Small Office Buildings
50-100 employees is the sweet spot. Large enough for decent sales, small enough that they don't have a cafeteria or existing vendor.
🏨 Hotels & Motels
Guests want late-night snacks. Staff works 24/7. Often overlooked by other operators. Budget hotels are easier to land than chains.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers
Members want protein bars, water, and sports drinks. Health-focused products command premium prices. Smaller independent gyms are best.
The Approach: How to Make Contact
Method 1: Walk-In (Most Effective)
This is how I got 7 of my first 10 locations. It's uncomfortable at first, but it works.
- Drive around your target area and identify businesses
- Walk in during non-peak hours (mid-morning or mid-afternoon)
- Ask to speak with the owner or manager
- Deliver your pitch (script below)
- Leave a business card even if they say no
Walk-In Script
"Hi, I'm [Name] with [Your Business]. I noticed you don't have a vending machine here. I provide free vending services to businesses like yours—I supply the machine, stock it, and maintain it at no cost to you. Your employees get convenient snacks and drinks, and I handle everything. Is that something you'd be interested in?"
Method 2: Phone Calls
Less effective than walk-ins, but you can cover more ground. Best for following up on walk-ins or reaching businesses that are hard to visit.
Phone Script
"Hi, this is [Name] with [Your Business]. I'm a local vending operator and I'm looking to place a machine in your area. I provide the machine, products, and service at no cost to you. Do you currently have vending, or would you be interested in adding it as an amenity for your employees/customers?"
Method 3: Email/Online
Lowest response rate, but good for reaching businesses at scale. Use Google Maps to find businesses, then look up their contact info.
Keep emails short—3-4 sentences max. Offer to stop by or call to discuss.
Handling Objections
"We already have a vending machine."
Response: "Great! Are you happy with the service? If you ever want to compare options or if they're not meeting your needs, I'd love to be your backup. Here's my card."
"We don't have space."
Response: "I have compact machines that fit in tight spaces. Could I take a quick look to see if there's a spot that might work? It only takes a minute."
"We'd need to ask corporate/the owner."
Response: "Totally understand. Can I leave my info for them? Or if you can point me to the right contact, I'm happy to reach out directly."
"What's the commission?"
Response: "I typically offer [10-15]% of sales. For a location like yours, that usually works out to $[X] per month. But honestly, most businesses find the employee benefit more valuable than the commission."
"Let me think about it."
Response: "Of course! I'll follow up in a week or two. In the meantime, here's my card—feel free to reach out if you have any questions."
The Numbers Game
Here's the reality: you'll hear "no" a lot. That's normal. Here's roughly what to expect:
- Walk-ins: 1 in 10-15 will say yes
- Phone calls: 1 in 20-30 will say yes
- Emails: 1 in 50+ will respond positively
To get 10 locations, plan on approaching 100-150 businesses. It sounds like a lot, but spread over a few weeks, it's manageable.
Follow-Up Is Everything
Most of my locations came from follow-ups, not the first contact. People are busy. They forget. A polite follow-up shows you're serious.
- First follow-up: 1 week after initial contact
- Second follow-up: 2 weeks after first follow-up
- Third follow-up: 1 month later
After three follow-ups with no response, move on. But don't give up before that—persistence pays.
What to Bring
- Business cards: Professional and essential
- One-pager: Simple flyer explaining your service
- Photos: Show what your machines look like (on your phone is fine)
- References: Once you have a few locations, mention them
Red Flags to Watch For
Not every location is worth taking. Watch out for:
- Demanding high commission upfront: 20%+ before you've proven sales is a bad sign
- Unrealistic expectations: "We want it stocked daily with premium products"
- Bad vibes: If the manager is difficult during negotiations, imagine dealing with them for years
- Too far from your route: Don't take a location 30 miles away just to get a "yes"
- Very low traffic: Under 30 people daily is rarely worth it
My First 10 Locations
Here's exactly how I got my first 10:
- Auto repair shop — Walk-in, said yes on the spot
- Small warehouse — Walk-in, followed up twice
- Laundromat — Walk-in, owner loved the idea
- Office building — Referral from #2
- Manufacturing plant — Cold call, met with manager
- Gym — Walk-in, took 3 follow-ups
- Hotel — Walk-in, spoke with owner directly
- Another warehouse — Referral from #5
- Car dealership — Walk-in, service department wanted it
- Medical office — Cold email, surprisingly
Notice the pattern: mostly walk-ins, several follow-ups, and referrals once I had a few locations.
Manage Your Growing Operation
As you add locations, VendHub helps you track everything—inventory, revenue, service schedules, and more. Built for operators who are scaling up.
Final Advice
Landing locations is a skill. You'll be bad at it at first, and that's okay. Every "no" teaches you something. Every conversation makes you better.
Set a goal: approach 10 businesses per week. In 2-3 months, you'll have your first 10 locations. And once you have those, referrals start coming, and it gets easier.
Now stop reading and go knock on some doors.