How Much Does the Average Vending Machine Earn? | Bizfluent

How Much Does the Average Vending Machine Earn?

Nov 12, 2010
1 minute read

Vending machines in the United States receive $22 billion in coins and bills per year, according to Franchise Direct. With 7 million vending machines, this averages out to more than $3,000 per machine. Your vending machine could earn more or less because of variables, but there are several factors to consider.

Location

For vending machines, location is everything. Drink machines in high-traffic areas can bring in a gross figure of about $250 in a single day, and snack machines in high-traffic areas can gross figure about $500 in one day. High-traffic areas include hospitals, movie theaters, malls, hotel lobbies and large break rooms. Low-traffic areas will not bring a large profit.

Start-Up Costs

You must pay income taxes on your profits, so find out what tax rates are for your location. The start-up product and equipment cost will vary, depending on the size of the machine and whether you want to install more than one vending machine. Also, the business where you are installing the vending machine will probably require a certain percentage of profits made.

Time and Money

Once the machine is installed, the hours of work and money put into the business will be only to restock the machine and buy the snack products. Snack companies already do the advertising for you, and you do not need to hire employees.

Bizfluent Logo

Bizfluent equips entrepreneurs with the tools and tactics they need to build and grow their small businesses, from starting a first venture to refreshing an established one.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.