Starting a vending machine business involves a major financial commitment. It is important that you take all of the costs of purchasing, maintaining and filling the vending machines into account.

Consider these factors when determining the overall pricing and costs of food and beverage vending:

1. Determine the total cost of buying the beverage or snack vending machines.

2. Figure out the total cost of keeping the food and beverage vending machines stocked.

3. Consider the costs associated with minor repairs the machines need to stay fully functional.

4. Think about the cost of professional repairs if you aren't able to fix a malfunctioning machine.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the cost of purchasing the food and beverage vending machine

When you start or expand a food and beverage vending machine business, consider the cost of the vending machines. In some cases, businesses will let you make payments on the machines instead of having to pay for them up front. If you consider making payments, take the financing charges into consideration.

I recommend: BMI Gaming offers a full line of food and beverage vending machines, including new and used vending machines. VendWeb.com has vending machines for sale at competitive prices. This company offers quantity discounts and financing to qualified applicants. Machines from either company range in price from $900 for snack vending and higher than $3,000 for advanced machines.

Determine the cost to fill the food and beverage vending machines

All food and beverage vending machines have to have a continuous supply of product to make you money. Take the cost of filling the machines, including the cost of fuel, into consideration when placing your machines.

I recommend: Betty Mills offers a varied selection of food products with which you can refill the vending machines. All of the products come in bulk, with cases starting around $20. Sam's Club sells vending machine beverages, including juice, soda and water. Most products start at around $20 per vending case.

Factor in the cost of user serviceable replacement parts for the beverage and food vending machines

Many food and beverage vending machines have user serviceable parts, such as the coin changer. In most cases, you can order the part and replace it yourself to save a major repair bill.

I recommend: A & M Equipment Sales has a varied selection of user serviceable replacement parts for food and beverage vending machines. This company offers fast shipping. Vendnet sells a full line of replacement parts, including universal parts for vending machines. Basic replacement parts start at around $20, while computerized and digital parts are much more expensive.

Think about the costs of keeping the food and beverage vending machines working

If your food and beverage vending machines stop working, they may need service by a professional. Many vending machine companies offer repair services. Some of the service is done off site if you know what part is malfunctioning and can send it to the company. Other work happens on site if the part is too large to ship or if you aren't sure what is wrong with the machine.

I recommend: S Thomas & Associates offers vending machine service and repair. This company repairs coin and bill acceptors as well as circuit boards on most models of food and beverage vending machines. Vendors Repair Service is a full service vending repair company that offers service in numerous locations. Prices on most services start at around $100 for off-site repair and at around $250 for on-site repair.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In some cases, you may have to pay a portion of the profits or a rent fee to place your food and beverage vending machines in some locations. Keep these fees in mind when you figure the cost of a vending machine business.

On-site food vending machines and beverage vending machines offers employees an inexpensive alternative to leaving the worksite in search of lunch and snacks. Having vending machines available also tells your customers that you are sensitive to the time they may spend waiting at your location while services are being rendered. Best of all, vending machines can yield an additional revenue source for your business.

When bringing snack vending machines and soda vending machines into your business, consider the following:

1. Choosing the right vending equipment.
2. Initial investment and ongoing expenses associated with vending machines.
3. Generating revenue with your vending machine business.
4. Sourcing foods and beverages for your vending machines.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose the right vending equipment

Are your vending machine needs restricted to soft drinks and snacks or do you want to offer a range of meals options? Snacks and beverages can be dispensed with separate soda vending machines and snack vending machines or with a combo unit. If you want to offers meals, you may need a vending machine that can manage sandwiches, fruit, and frozen and microwavable food.

I recommend: To save time researching vendors, Vending Assistance offers free recommendations of vending equipment companies and services it has screened. Vending Solutions offers a full service vending machine management program and is particularly useful for businesses with multiple locations.  Vencoa sells vending machines that can handle fresh and frozen foods. Business.com's food and beverage vending machines page lists a wide range of resources to help you get started.

Expenses for food and beverage vending machines

Beverage and food vending machines can be bought, rented or supplied as part of a complete vending service. Your initial investment depends on which way you decide to go. Used vending machines can minimize your start-up costs. Ongoing expenses associated with vending equipment include maintenance, repairs and electricity. And don't forget the time commitment - it takes time to reorder and restock the vending machines as well as to collect the money.

I recommend: USEDVending.com sells refurbished and used vending machines from a database that can be searched by state. Triple A Services offers a complete vending machine service with a service plan for easy outsourcing.

Generating revenue with your vending machine business

Some of the major soft drink distributors like Coca-Cola will install soda vending machines, stock them and service them at no charge and then pay you a commission on the drinks sold. Starting a vending machine business in which you place and maintain vending equipment in other people's businesses is another way to go.

I recommend: US Vending places soda vending machines for the Coca-Cola bottling system in small and medium sized businesses. Products range from soda and diet soda to iced tea, fruit drinks and water. No contract is required, just 30-days notice to remove the beverage vending machines. Hershey's Vending has a category management methodology to help assure that snack vending machines have the right product mix to yield optimal profits.

Sourcing foods for your food vending machines

Options for your food vending machines go beyond the standard chips, candy and gum. In fact, you can fill food vending machines with microwavable meals, fresh sandwiches, individual pizzas and other healthy food choices.

I recommend: The Vending Yellow pages has links to suppliers of fresh deli foods as well as healthy food choices for food vending machines. Aramarks' Just4U offers snacks for snack vending machines that have been approved by the American Diabetic Association.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Query employees to find out what snacks, foods and beverages they want in a vending machine.
• •  Track which items are selling well in your snack vending machines and add new items until you achieve the mix that best appeals to your customers.
• •  Monitor expiration dates on fresh food items in food vending machines and replace as necessary.
• •  Appoint a staffer and a backup person to be responsible for maintaining the vending machines, reordering food and restocking the machines.
• •  Have a maintenance program in place to respond quickly to vending machines that are not operating properly.
• •  Have a maintenance program in place to respond quickly to vending machines that are not operating properly.

A vending machine business can be profitable if you plan it properly. Learning the food and beverage vending basics, including the different types of vending machines, will put you well on your way to making a profit.

Whether you are making your business plan for a vending machine business or trying to expand an existing business, consider these food and beverage vending basics:

1. Find food vending machines that accommodate food products that will sell well in your area.

2. Consider hot and cold beverage vending machines in order to offer customers a varied selection of beverages.

3. Check out vending machine companies that sell combination vending machines.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the best food vending machine to fit your needs

Food vending machines are available for all different types of food from bulk snack machines to hot or cold food vending machines. Vending machines that sell snacks usually do better in areas where children or young adults frequent. Vending machines that sell food items, such as sandwiches, usually do well with all age groups.

I recommend: Avanti Vending Machines has a varied selection of vending machines, including snack vending machines and fresh or frozen food vending machines. This company has an online credit application to make it easy for customers to apply for credit. Vendco offers a full line of vending machines, including bulk candy vending machines and snack vending machines.

Purchase beverage vending machines

Hot and cold beverage vending machines are ideal for almost any location. Hot beverage vending machines can sell coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate. Cold beverage vending machines sell juice, water and soda. The versatility of these machines makes them appealing to every age group.

I recommend: Vendors Equipment has new and used vending machines for sale, including hot and cold beverage vending machines. This company ships its products collect freight, meaning you have to pay the freight charges directly to the freight company when they deliver the machine. VendingOnDemand.com sells vending machines, including beverage vending machines and vending machines that promote healthy snacks and drinks.

Consider combination food and beverage vending machines

Some vending machines have the capability to serve both food and drinks. These combination machines are ideal for areas too small to accommodate separate machines. Some of these machines can serve items at different temperatures, such as selling cold beverages and hot food or vise versa.

I recommend: Vending Machines Unlimited has a large selection of combination food and beverage vending machines. This company offers discounted prices as well as reasonable shipping and freight rates. Vending.com has a good selection of combination vending machines for sale. This company offers financing to qualified applicants.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your local Department of Health to find out the permits required for a food and beverage vending machine business.

Food and beverage vending can serve two different purposes for your business. It can help increase employee productivity by offering snacks and beverages on site, meaning the employee doesn't have to leave the office. It can also provide and even attract certain customers to your business.

When studying food and beverage vending key terms, consider the different types of vending options available to your business.

1. Hot and cold beverage machines

2. Food beverage machines

3. Candy machines

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Coffee machine

The coffee machine is your office solution to a hot beverage anytime. With a coffee machine, your employees can enjoy specialty hot beverages like cappuccino, flavored coffee and hot chocolate. Of course, plain black coffee is also an option with this machine.

I recommend: Read about the Vendco coffee machine and the different selections that it offers.

Soda machines

Soda machines offer cold drinks to employees. Soda machines can house bottles or cans, and they keep the drinks cold until the time of purchase. Soda isn't the only item you can sell in a soda machine. Various types of tea, juice and water are also available to sell through soda machines.

I recommend: Read about the different types of soda machines at Vending on Demand.

Snack vending machines

Snack vending machines offer small portion snack items to help your employees curb the munchies. Items frequently stocked in snack vending machines include candy bars, chips, crackers, chewing gum and pretzels.

I recommend: The Vending Solutions website offers detailed information about its snack vending machines.

Cold food vending machines

Cold food vending machines are a great way to offer your employees healthier snack options. Cold food vending machines can house items like milk, yogurt, salads and sandwiches. If your employees frequently stay in the office for lunch, cold food vending machines offer items that have a little more staying power than items you'll typically find in a snack vending machine.

I recommend: Read about cold food vending machines features at Vending.com

Gumball machines

Gumball machines and candy machines are also a type of food and beverage vending. The bright colors and low cost to purchase a gumball mean these machines are a great way to catch the eye of children.

I recommend: Read about gumball machines on the Vending Machines Unlimited website. There, you can click on the different types of gumball machines for more information.

National Automatic Merchandising Association, NAMA

The National Automatic Merchandising Association, also known as NAMA, is the national trade organization for the vending industry.

I recommend: Read about NAMA on the company's About Us page.