A practical guide to starting a vending route: choosing machines and products, finding locations, location agreements, licenses and sales tax, restocking routes, cash and cashless payments, maintenance and hiring route drivers.
A vending business places machines in host locations, keeps them stocked and maintained and earns the margin between product cost and sale price. Many operators pay the host a commission, a flat fee or nothing at all in exchange for the space, depending on the location’s traffic and what the machine offers the host’s employees or customers. The business can start small, with one or a few machines run part-time, and grow into routes with many machines and drivers.
See how EZTime works for your industry, from time tracking to shift scheduling.
| Type | Typical products | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Snack | Chips, candy, bars | Easy to start; watch expiration dates |
| Cold drink | Soda, water, energy drinks | Refrigeration; heavier to restock |
| Combo | Snacks and drinks in one machine | Good for smaller locations |
| Fresh food | Sandwiches, salads, meals | Food safety rules, shorter shelf life |
| Specialty | Healthy snacks, personal items, electronics accessories | Niche demand; test carefully |
New machines cost more but come with warranties and modern payment systems. Used machines lower the upfront cost but may need repairs or upgrades. Either way, cashless card and phone payment readers usually increase sales, since many customers do not carry cash.
Visit at different times to gauge traffic, and ask the manager what employees or visitors currently lack. A location with many night-shift workers can be especially valuable when nearby food options close.
Put the arrangement in writing. A simple agreement covers which machines you place, who pays for electricity, any commission or fee to the host, how often you restock, how refunds and service calls are handled, insurance and how either side can end the arrangement. Clear terms prevent misunderstandings when the location changes managers.
See how to get a business license and legal requirements for starting a business.
Buy from wholesale clubs, distributors or directly from manufacturers once you have volume. Track sales by machine and slot, and replace slow sellers. Price items based on your product cost, the host’s commission, payment processing fees, fuel and your time, and check what nearby stores and machines charge. The selling price calculator helps.
Group locations geographically and restock based on sales, not a fixed calendar. Machines with telemetry can report stock levels remotely, so drivers only visit machines that need it. Plan your route to minimize driving, load the vehicle the night before from a pick list and record what you put in each machine. Rotate products so older stock sells first.
The cash count calculator speeds up reconciliation.
When the route outgrows your available hours, hire route drivers. Look for reliability, a clean driving record and comfort handling cash. Train them on restocking standards, cash handling, basic maintenance, customer service with hosts and vehicle safety. Track their hours accurately, including loading and driving time, and use mileage records for any personal vehicles. See hiring your first employee and the mileage report template.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Machines | New or used machines, card readers, telemetry |
| Inventory | Opening stock for each machine |
| Vehicle | Van or truck, fuel, insurance, hand truck |
| Legal and admin | Registration, licenses, machine stickers, accounting |
| Insurance | General liability, commercial auto |
| Technology | Payment processing, inventory tracking, scheduling |
Prices for machines and inventory vary, so collect quotes from several suppliers.
Your location hosts decide whether your machines stay. Check in with the site manager regularly, ask whether employees want different products and respond to complaints the same day. Keep machines clean and full, and share simple sales reports if you pay a commission. A good relationship often leads to referrals to other sites.
A warehouse worker placed two combo machines at a distribution center and a car repair shop, restocking them on weekends. After noticing night-shift workers bought most of the sandwiches, she added a fresh food machine at the warehouse and a third location nearby. Within a year she had a dozen machines, hired a part-time route driver and used an app to schedule his routes and track his hours.
EZTime helps vending operators schedule route drivers, track hours with GPS clock-ins from the road and record time by location or client. Restocking and cleaning checklists run as tasks with photo proof, and fuel and supply costs go through expense management.
It can be when machines are in high-traffic locations, products are priced well and routes are efficient. Results vary widely.
Most places require a business license and sales tax registration, and some require a license or sticker for each machine. Check your state and city.
Look for workplaces, waiting areas and residential buildings with steady traffic and limited food options, then ask the manager.
New machines cost more but include warranties and modern payment systems; used machines lower startup costs but may need repairs.
Some do, through a commission or fee; others accept the machine as a service to employees or customers. Agree on terms in writing.
EZTime schedules route drivers, tracks GPS clock-ins and keeps restocking checklists with photo proof. See current plans and what each one includes on the pricing page.