Hey there, Vendpreneur!

Welcome to Becoming a Vendpreneur—where every week I help you navigate the challenges of running a vending machine business, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your operation.

This week, I'm going to breakdown some of the best product ideas my TikTok viewers pitched for my machine, and why exactly they work in nightlife vending.

Here are my top 5:

• 👄 Chapsticks

• 👠 Folding Flats

• 😅 Comedy Condoms

• 🚗 Single-Use Breathalyzers

• 🧪 Fentanyl Test Strips / Drink Test Strips

🔗 Best Links

Curated picks for Vendpreneurs

📱 Top Reads

• ♻️ Vending machines are now making recycling waaay cooler. (Spar-International)

• 🪪 Facial recognition in vending machines for THC products are gaining traction. (Kiosk Marketplace)

😱 Trending Now

• 🍲 ChefGenie is taking over Singapore with 120 vending machines nationwide. (YouTube)

• 🏦 Will you take a debit card out of a vending machine? (Tiktok)

I made one TikTok about nightlife vending machines and broke the internet.

Now every time I go LIVE, hundreds of people flood the chat with their "million-dollar" product ideas.

My DMs are exploding. 90% of suggestions are completely insane. But 5 ideas were actually genius.

These products understand exactly what people in bars and clubs want to buy. I'm about to reveal my picks:

1. Chapsticks 👄 

The beauty & wellness market is $1.86T in 2025. 

I’m not chasing all of it, I just want the easy win: chapstick in bars/clubs.

Dry lips are constant in loud, AC-blasted rooms, so chapstick sells year-round.

It’s a quick touch-up before photos, a fix after yelling over the DJ, and a lifesaver on windy patios. It’s hygienic, tiny, and easily cross-sells with mints and gum.

I can get these wholesale for only ~$0.50 to $2.00 and easily sell it between $3 to $6, with a 50% to 75% profit margin.

2. Folding Flats 👠

Going out is when a lot of women dress up.

But by 3 a.m., heels hurt and the walk to rideshare or the afterparty gets real.

Folding flats solve that pain on the spot, which is why they impulse-sell like crazy (already popular in Vegas).

They’re slim, so I can stock multiple sizes (S/M/L, black or nude), and the $12–$20 price still leaves solid margin.

Best placement would be by exits, coat check, or near the ladies’ room so it’s the last thing they see before heading out.

3. Comedy Condoms 😅

Comedy condoms are both practical and funny, killing awkwardness and turns it into a “lol just buy it” moment.

Absolutely perfect for birthdays and bachelor or bachelorette groups.

These tiny, sealed packs have zero spoilage, long shelf life, and you can load 40–60 units in a single column without re-stocking every night.

I can price them $5–$10 (1–2 packs), run a “2 for $X” bundle, and cross-sell with chapstick or mints for an easy add-on.

4. Single-Use Breathalyzers 🚗 

We all know drunk driving is a major cause of accidents. 

I’m not trying to be your dad, I just want people to get home safe.

Breathalyzers hit that sweet spot where friends hype each other and still make a smarter call.

I can stock singles at $3–$7 or a reusable at $25–$45, tuck them by the exit or ride-share area, and add "for guidance only" so everyone knows it is a tool, not a legal device.

5. Fentanyl Test Strips / Drink Test Strips 🧪 

Venues and parents love that these exist, and customers actually appreciate having a quick safety check before they continue their night out.

These aren't just feel-good products, they're genuinely life-saving harm reduction tools.

They're tiny, light, and shelf-stable, so I can load tons without killing space, and they work at a simple $3–$10 price point that keeps them accessible when people need them most.

How I'd test these: I'd launch one or two products per venue for 2–3 weeks, track every single sale, then ruthlessly cut anything that doesn't print money.

But product testing takes MONTHS of trial and error, and most people quit before they find what works.

Pod Plug Franchise offers you a shortcut to success.

If you want to build a vending business that’s lean, profitable, and actually fun to run, this is your shot.

Click here to take the first step towards owning your own vending empire.

This opportunity is perfect if you have:

💵 $15K in available capital
💼 Sales experience (or willingness to learn)
🔥 Drive to build something real
💪 Commitment to make it work

Sound like you? Let's talk.

And That’s a Wrap!

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter.

Hit reply and let me know what you found most helpful this week—I read every single reply and I’d love to hear from you!

See you next Saturday!

-Ethan