Pros and Cons of Owning a Vending Machine Business
Wondering if owning vending machines is a good business? There are many different aspects to consider. We know because here at Healthy YOU Vending, our singular mission has always been to help health-conscious entrepreneurs start their own businesses by tapping into the growing vending industry.
Thanks to our decades of experience, we have crystal-clear insight into what it truly means to be a successful vending business owner—and we’re always eager to share this perspective with potential entrepreneurs like yourself.
So, do the pros of owning a vending machine business outweigh the cons or vice versa?
Keep reading to find out what we’ve learned from over decades of experience with healthy vending machines, plus the biggest reasons to consider a healthy vending business over a standard “junk food” business model.
What Type of Business Is Vending Machines?
Vending machines are typically set up as a sole proprietorship or limited liability company (LLC). Put another way, vending machine businesses usually aren’t structured as corporations.
Basically, you own the vending machines. You also put in the time and effort to find products and stock them in the machines. Someone else typically owns the location where you place each machine, but you still coordinate restocks and decide which products you want to sell in each machine.
The average vending machine business owner will generally work from home. If you decide to hire employees to handle restocks and other logistics, you’re free to do so.
Is a Vending Machine a Good Business?
Yes, vending machines are a great way to earn mostly passive profits that continue to grow over time. With low startup costs, becoming a vending machine business owner lets you finally enter the business world without taking significant risks.
You to control your business’s growth, including the number of machines and time invested. Whether you want to start by focusing on just a few machines or want to launch your empire overnight, you decide when and how to grow your business.
And of course, the flexible hours that come with the vending machine business are a huge benefit if you’re looking to bring in a profit without putting your nose to the grindstone 24/7.
Are Vending Machine Businesses Profitable?
Yes, one of the pros of vending machine businesses is the potential for revenue—especially when considering healthy vending machine business.
Just take a moment to think about how popular grocery chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have become in recent years. In fact, there are even social media influencers whose entire platforms are built on spotlighting new healthy snacks.
Now, imagine how interested these consumers might be to learn about your convenient, healthy vending machines in their local community.
While it’s true that no business investment’s success is ever guaranteed, there’s also clear evidence that a well-managed, healthy vending machine business can be very profitable.
Pros of Owning a Vending Machine Business
Vending machines can be a good investment because, unlike a typical franchise opportunity, maintaining and managing vending machines is relatively easy. Even restocking your healthy vending machines doesn’t require too much time out of your day.
Across the U.S., vending machines are a huge draw because they provide quick and easy access to food for people on the go. This is especially true for a healthy vending business since 72% of Americans believe healthy eating is crucial for living a long, healthy life.
When our Healthy YOU Vending business owners stock their vending machines with healthy snacks, they’re also providing consumers with nourishment while promoting health and wellness wherever they work—making their appeal that much higher!
What are the Advantages of Vending Machines?
Some of the advantages of vending machines as a side business or as a pivot to full-time entrepreneurship include:
- Low start-up costs. You don’t have to be a millionaire to become an entrepreneur. For decades, we’ve focused on meeting people where they are and helping them start a business on their own terms.
- Small scale means small risk. While you’re always free to expand your healthy vending business, starting big isn’t a requirement. Starting with a few vending machines is a great low-risk way to find your footing as a business owner.
- Be your own boss. Got a doctor’s appointment mid-day? Your child’s sporting event? Or maybe you just want to take a weekday off? The choice is yours. Plus, Healthy YOU Vending machines can be monitored remotely so you never miss a beat.
- Grow your business at your own pace. Each one of our vending business owners has different goals and dreams. More importantly, we make it easy to grow at whatever pace works best for you. Expand your business one machine at a time, launch your empire overnight, or simply stick withj a 5-machine side hustle—whatever suits your needs. Even if your needs change from time to time.
- Sell what you want, where you want. It’s true that we specialize in healthy vending machines, but you still get to choose which products you carry. One of our business owners sells ballet shoes from vending machines placed outside a children’s dance studio!
- Make sales even while you sleep. Unlike a standard franchise, your vending machines are open 24/7/365. That means you have the potential to earn income anytime—whether you’re asleep, on vacation or working a full-time job.
Cons of Owning a Vending Machine Business
There are a few challenges to running a vending machine business. Your profits can depend on the scale of your business and the location of your machines, for example.
And while a vending machine business is one of the easier businesses to operate, thanks to a more streamlined, straightforward business model, it’s still a hands-on business that does require some regular time and attention. You’ll have to monitor your machines for any necessary maintenance and restock them regularly.
Other Considerations When It Comes To Vending Machines
A few of the potential disadvantages of vending machines include:
- Small scale can mean small profits. Which do you think would be more profitable: one vending machine with steady daily sales or five vending machines doing the same? As a vending business owner, increasing revenue with just a few machines can be challenging at times.
- Hands on time and attention. While customers can purchase items around the clock, you’ll need to restock eventually. This requires your time, plus wear and tear on your vehicle—or paying an employee to handle things.
- Efficiency requires planning. When you have multiple healthy vending machines, efficiency is key. You’ll need to consider details like traffic and the best route for restocking machines with minimal backtracking as a way to make your vending machines profitable.
- An initial investment is necessary. It’s true what they say—sometimes you have to spend money to make money. In addition to the vending machine cost themselves, calculate how much money you’ll need for any required startup costs and your initial product stock.
- Dealing with lots of cash. Healthy YOU Vending machines are equipped with high-tech cashless options, but vending can be a cash-heavy industry. Part of being a vending machine business owner may include visiting your local bank to deposit these cash payments.
- Operating costs are a factor. As you’ve already realized from reading the above potential drawbacks, operating costs are an unavoidable part of being in the healthy vending machine industry. Filling your gas tank while restocking machines, buying the products themselves and other costs have to be accounted for.
Healthy YOU Vending Pros
Healthy YOU Vending machines are a great option when choosing vending machines that are right for your business. This is because while you’re responsible for your machines, you’re never alone. We’ve always got your back, no matter what challenges or questions you might have.
And Healthy YOU Vending has a team of location procurement specialists available to help you find the absolute best locations for your vending machine business.
Based on the location of your vending machines, you have free reign over what you stock in your machines. You always have the power to customize the contents so you can meet the unique needs of each area. Our machines also feature side vendors that can be stocked with various other supplies people may need, such as wellness products, headphones, phone chargers and more.
Plus, with decades of experience helping people like you become successful healthy vending machine business owners, we’re always happy to offer advice or support on any questions you might have.
All in all, becoming a vending business owner is a great way to earn real income while enjoying the benefits of running a business mostly from home. If you think having your own vending machine business might be the opportunity you’ve been searching for, click here to learn more. Or contact us with any questions that you might have.
