When people ask me what makes or breaks a vending machine business, my answer is always the same: location is everything. You can have the best machines, the freshest products, and the sharpest branding, but if your machine is sitting in a dead zone with little to no foot traffic, you won’t make money.

I’m Adam Peterson, a University of Florida graduate with a degree in Business Management. I’ve spent the last 12 years building a highly successful vending machine company right here in Florida. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of locations, negotiated hundreds of site agreements, and studied which environments consistently drive the most reliable profits.

If you’re serious about starting or growing a vending business, here are the seven high-traffic locations I’ve seen deliver the best results.

1. Office Buildings with 100+ Employees

Office buildings are one of the most overlooked—but incredibly consistent—vending machine locations. The key here is volume. When you have a building with 100 or more employees working full-time, you’re dealing with captive, repeat customers who visit your machines daily for snacks, drinks, and quick lunches.

In today’s hybrid work environment, not every office performs equally. Medical offices, call centers, and companies with on-site shift workers still offer excellent traffic. The beauty of office buildings is that your machines see traffic Monday through Friday, and your customers tend to have consistent habits.

I always prioritize locations where break rooms are limited or cafeteria services are nonexistent. When people only have a few minutes between meetings, your vending machine becomes a daily solution.

2. Apartment Complexes and Multi-Family Communities

Large apartment complexes with hundreds of units offer built-in daily traffic from residents. Pool areas, clubhouses, laundry rooms, and fitness centers are prime vending spots in these communities.

The advantage here is that residents get used to seeing your machines and will return regularly. Plus, you don’t need to rely on business hours like you do with offices—traffic happens around the clock.

In my experience, property managers love vending machines because they enhance amenities at no cost to them, which makes negotiating placement much easier.

3. Hospitals and Medical Centers

Healthcare facilities offer exceptionally high vending potential for two reasons: large staff and long visitor stays. Between nurses, doctors, administrative staff, patients, and families waiting for appointments or procedures, hospitals generate constant foot traffic.

Unlike most businesses, hospitals run 24/7, meaning your machines have the potential to generate revenue at all hours. Healthy snack options, bottled water, and even PPE supplies can all perform extremely well in these settings.

The challenge with hospitals is usually negotiating placement, as many have exclusive vending contracts in place. But if you can land a placement in a clinic, urgent care center, or smaller medical building, the returns can be excellent.

4. Hotels and Extended Stay Lodging

Hotels are a goldmine for vending traffic, especially extended-stay hotels and motels where guests stay multiple nights. Guests who don’t want to leave the property after a long day often turn to vending machines for late-night snacks, drinks, or quick breakfasts.

The key with hotels is choosing properties with limited food options nearby. If the hotel doesn’t offer a full-service restaurant or 24-hour lobby store, your vending machine essentially becomes the on-site convenience store.

I always recommend placing machines near elevators, lobbies, or common areas where guest traffic is concentrated.

5. Schools, Colleges, and Universities

Educational institutions generate predictable, high-volume traffic that resets every semester. Students, faculty, and staff are always looking for convenient snacks, beverages, and grab-and-go meals between classes.

College campuses are particularly strong because students often live on-site and rely on vending during long days. Even better, many universities are now open to healthier vending options, allowing you to tap into a growing demand for better-for-you snacks.

Keep in mind that school placements typically require district or campus approval, and you may be subject to nutritional guidelines depending on local regulations.

6. Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities

Factories, distribution centers, and large warehouses are fantastic for vending placement because they operate on shift schedules, sometimes 24 hours a day. Workers appreciate convenient access to food and drinks during breaks, especially when the facility is located in an industrial park far from restaurants or convenience stores.

The turnover rate for products is often very consistent because employees quickly form habits around your machines. Adding hot food vending or high-calorie snacks for physically demanding jobs can perform especially well here.

The real key is finding sites with large headcounts—typically 200 or more employees—where on-site food options are limited.

7. Transportation Hubs and Travel Centers

Locations like airports, bus stations, train depots, and highway rest areas offer extremely high turnover of transient foot traffic. Travelers need fast, convenient access to drinks, snacks, and sometimes travel essentials like chargers or earplugs.

While transportation hubs can involve higher rent or commission fees, the constant stream of new customers makes up for it. These locations also allow for creative vending options like electronics, personal care items, or premium beverage machines.

In my own experience, airport vending offers some of the highest per-machine revenue—if you can secure a spot

Traffic Isn’t Everything — But It’s Close

Securing a high-traffic location doesn’t guarantee vending success, but it gives you a tremendous head start. Product mix, pricing, and machine reliability still matter — but with steady daily foot traffic, your machines have the best chance to turn consistent profits month after month.

The smartest vending operators know that location scouting never really stops. Always keep your eye out for new office parks, residential developments, or commercial properties that match these high-traffic profiles. In this business, the best spots don’t stay available for long.

Average Revenue You Can Expect From Each Type of Location

If you’re new to vending, one of the biggest questions you’re probably asking yourself is: how much can I actually make from these locations? While every site is different, after 12 years in this business, I’ve seen fairly reliable revenue ranges across different types of high-traffic locations.

Let’s break it down so you know what to expect.

Office Buildings

In a mid-sized office with 100 to 300 employees, you can often expect to generate between $300 and $800 per month per machine depending on product variety and competition. If you secure multiple machines in one building—snacks, beverages, and possibly a coffee or fresh food machine—you can easily double or triple that figure.

Apartment Complexes

At large apartment communities with 200+ units, vending machines placed in laundry rooms, gyms, or clubhouses typically bring in $200 to $500 per month. These numbers can climb during busy weekends, holidays, or summer pool season.

Hospitals and Medical Centers

Healthcare locations can be some of your highest earners. In smaller clinics, you might see $500 to $1,000 per month, while full hospitals with large staff and visitors can easily generate $1,500 or more monthly per well-placed machine.

Hotels

For mid-range hotels, expect around $400 to $800 per month per machine. Extended-stay properties, where guests stay multiple nights, often perform better. The more isolated the hotel is from nearby convenience stores, the more profitable your machine becomes.

Schools and Universities

College campuses offer excellent volume, especially if your machines are near dorms or student centers. You can often bring in $800 to $2,000 per month during peak semesters, though sales may dip during summer or holiday breaks.

Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities

Factories and warehouses with steady shift work can yield very predictable sales. Most industrial placements bring in between $500 and $1,200 per month depending on employee count and available break options.

Transportation Hubs

Airports, bus stations, and train depots are often among the most lucrative vending sites. Well-positioned machines in busy hubs can generate $2,000 to $5,000 per month, especially if you offer premium products beyond basic snacks and drinks.

Remember: Margins Matter

Keep in mind, these are gross revenue numbers. After accounting for product costs, commissions to property owners, machine maintenance, and restocking, your profit margins typically fall between 40% and 55% depending on how you run your operation.

Choosing the right locations isn’t just about raw traffic—it’s about finding spots where consistent, predictable usage lines up with strong margins. That’s where long-term vending success is built.

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About the Author
I’m Adam Peterson, a University of Florida graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. I’ve owned and operated a successful vending machine company in Florida for the past 12 years, helping entrepreneurs grow profitable routes by focusing on smart placement and reliable operations. As a writer and editor for Kwote Advisor, I share actionable advice for business owners looking to maximize vending profits through smarter strategies.