So you'd love to start a retail shop, but don't have enough capital to invest in startup costs? Consider starting a vending cart or kiosk business instead. The initial costs and overhead are much lower, the licensing agreements and space leases are usually shorter, and a kiosk or cart can be a great solution for a seasonal business that won't need a year-round address.

You can buy, rent or lease vending carts either new or used. And some companies will even give you a cart free if you agree to sell their products.

Before you start a vending cart business, you'll need to consider:

1. What product you want to sell
2. What season and/or location would be most appropriate for your product? Mall? Airport? Outdoor venue? Holiday, seasonal or year-round?
3. The regulations and costs involved with starting your kiosk or cart business.

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

Compare and contrast vending cart options

The vending cart industry is highly competitive, and your choices include dozens of cart and kiosk business options from multiple vendors in various designs. And you can select from new or used carts.

I recommend: Vending Cart Directory is a good place to compare what's out there. VendingCarts.com is a one-stop shop for vending cart entrepreneurs, with cart sales as well as step-by-step help setting up a cart business. Their "Rolling Profits” can guide you through the process of establishing a vending cart business.

Rent or lease your cart

This option gives you the opportunity to 'try out” a business without purchasing the equipment up front. You can see how well the local market responds to your product and decide whether to stick it out or try a new approach.

I recommend: Push-Cart International rents vending carts made for selling ice cream, cotton candy, Coke products, hot dogs, burgers and more.

Purchase a cart for an outdoor venue

This saves you the overhead involved with rent or leasing fees, and if your product isn't selling well in your current location, you can change locations.

I recommend: US Carts sells vending carts for hot dogs and other food sales. 800BuyCart offers a variety of vending carts for selling anything from ice cream to coffee and doughnuts.

Become a vending cart mogul

Why stop with one cart? Build your business into a vending cart empire. You'll need software to help you track inventory, accounting, locations and more.

I recommend: Soft Essentials carries all-in-one vending business management software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your cart is in an outdoor or non-permanent venue, consider where you'll store the cart and your products when they aren't in use.
• •  If you'll be setting up outdoors, you'll probably need a vending license. Check with your city government to find out about the regulations and fees involved.
• •  If your cart will be inside a mall or shopping center, try to negotiate a flexible or short-term lease. You may want to move if your location doesn't bring in enough customers, or if a nearby store starts offering similar products.
• •  Some malls and shopping centers may require that you pay an upfront fee so that the mall can design your cart to their standards.
• •  If you'll be selling food, you'll need a permit from the Department of Health.