Anyone experienced operating/investing in vending routes?

December 17, 2025

by a searcher from Western Michigan University - Haworth College of Business in Novi, MI, USA

Hi all - anyone in the space of operating small vending routes and potentially interested in a small investment? I was recently sent an acquisition opportunity. I am interested in learning more about the industry and meeting anyone who invests in the space. Thanks!

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Reply by a lender
from Cornell University in Los Angeles, CA, USA

Hi ^redacted‌ - nice to meet you. Congratulations on your first acquisition opportunity. I've worked with buyers before on these types of businesses, and this is what I've learned: Revenue is driven by foot traffic, captive audiences, and placement agreements, not how many machines you own. A small route with strong locations (factories, schools, hospitals, offices) often outperforms a larger route with weak placements. This is a low-margin, cash-based business. Profitability depends on inventory control, spoilage management, servicing frequency, fuel costs, and theft prevention. Poor route optimization or inventory discipline quickly kills returns. Modern routes use cashless payments, telemetry, and remote inventory tracking. These increase sales per machine, reduce service trips, and improve data-driven product mix decisions. Older cash-only machines materially underperform. We have a lot experience financing these types of companies via the SBA. If you ever need help talking through a deal, I am happy to help. We work with all the major SBA lenders. The bank pay us after your loan closes, so this is a 100% free service for you.You can email me directly at redacted or schedule a meeting with me: https://cal.com/francodeguzman/30min. Look forward to chatting!

Reply by an admin
from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Portland, OR, USA

^redacted might be able to help with Vending. If you know someone else that can help, please tag them here (Shift 6).

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