How do you actually pick a good vending machine location?
I keep seeing beginners talk about which machine to buy first, but the more I read, the more it seems like the location matters more than anything.
A good machine in a bad spot still won’t do much.
From what I understand, it’s not just about foot traffic. It’s more about the type of traffic.
A place seems better when people are:
- waiting around
- working long shifts
- taking breaks
- studying
- training
- living there
or don’t want to leave the building for snacks or drinks
Also, I guess the machine has to solve a real problem. Like no food nearby, bad current vending, staff stuck on-site, late-night access, or people already buying drinks/snacks elsewhere.
The boring stuff probably matters too:
- power access
- visibility
- security
- easy restocking
- space around the machine
and whether the location owner is actually easy to work with
For people already running machines, what do you check before saying yes to a location?
And for beginners, what type of location are you trying to get first?