How He Built a $5K/Month Vending Machine Business from Scratch

My name is Jason, and I run a small but growing vending machine business. We specialize in placing and managing snack, beverage, and specialty vending machines in high-traffic areas like office buildings, schools, gyms, and apartment complexes. I started this business in 2019 with just two refurbished machines and a beat-up van. Today, I manage a network of over 35 machines across the city and have expanded into offering healthier snack options and contactless payment systems.

Clients can choose what goes into their machines based on their audience—protein bars for gyms, school-friendly snacks for campuses, and even eco-friendly packaging options. I handle restocking, maintenance, and data tracking myself, although I’ve recently started training a part-time assistant. The goal is to make vending smarter, more personal, and more profitable—for both us and the locations we serve.

Funny enough, it all started when I was working late nights at an accounting job. Our office vending machine was always either empty or broken, and I remember thinking, “How hard can it be to do this better?” That curiosity led me down a rabbit hole of research into passive income streams, and vending machines kept popping up. What stood out was how scalable and low-barrier it could be if managed well.

I also liked the idea of building something tangible—something I could see grow physically in the world. There was a very real, satisfying element to stocking a machine, seeing people use it, and collecting real-time feedback. That hands-on aspect, plus the chance to earn recurring revenue, really motivated me to give it a shot. I used my savings to buy a couple of used machines, and it all took off from there.

For me, success is about stability and growth without burnout. If my machines are running smoothly, clients are happy, and I have the freedom to spend time with my family while still turning a profit, I consider that a win.

Plus, helping property managers and business owners generate passive income from underutilized space makes the business mutually beneficial, which I think is a solid marker of long-term success.

If I had the chance to start over, I would definitely focus more on location research before placing my first machines. In the beginning, I was so eager to get started that I accepted a couple of low-traffic locations, which ended up costing me time and money. Now I know that foot traffic, product fit, and even visibility inside the building are critical factors to consider.

I also would’ve invested in remote monitoring technology from day one. At first, I was driving to each machine to check stock manually, which wasn’t sustainable. It sounds like a small thing, but having live data helps with route planning, stock ordering, and customer responsiveness. That kind of insight would’ve saved me a lot of hassle early on.

Start small but think smart. It’s better to have two well-performing machines in great locations than ten machines in places where nobody buys. Do your research, talk to business owners, and understand what kind of products people in that area actually want. Don’t just guess—use surveys or even observation to get real data.

Also, invest in good maintenance habits. Keep your machines clean, fix issues fast, and don’t underestimate the power of presentation. A well-stocked, spotless machine builds trust. And finally, be patient. This business isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but with consistency and effort, it can become a reliable and scalable source of income.

On average, I make around $4,000 to $5,000 in monthly profit, depending on the season and machine performance. My best months, usually during the school year or in hot summer periods, can go up to $6,500. That’s after expenses like product restocking, gas, maintenance, and occasional equipment upgrades.

It took me about 18 months to get to that level of income. In the early days, I was reinvesting most of the profit into expanding my machine inventory and improving technology. Now, the business mostly runs on a cycle where the machines pay for their own upkeep, and I draw a consistent income while continuing to scale slowly and sustainably.