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 piss off half the vending industry by saying micro markets are overrated compared to nightlife vending.

Here are 7 factors to consider:

• 💥 Startup Costs

• 💸 ROI Speed Test

• ⏰ Time Spent

• 📈 Profit Per Product

• ⚠️ Hidden Risks

• 🤝 Location Game

• 🏖 Lifestyle Check

🔗 Best Links

Curated picks for Vendpreneurs

📱 Top Reads

• 📚 Schools are now using vending machines to promote reading (Vending Times)

• 🖼️ Artwork vending machines are dispensing joy in Washington. (USA Today)

😱 Trending Now

• 🍔 Fast food just got a whole lot faster! (YouTube)

• 🥡 Vending machines in AirBNBs? Smart. (Tiktok)

Before I get into the nitty-gritty, you need to see this week's vlog.

I just got back from the most intense week of my life - flew four of my top franchise prospects to Texas and put them through everything.

From location tours to our Terry Black's Texas barbecue meal as tradition (to get to know each one personally 😉).

By day six, I had to make the hardest business decision of my year.. who deserves to build their own vending empire under my brand and be my business partner?

I documented the entire process in this week's vlog. Don't forget to Subscribe. 👇

Fair warning: it gets intense. 😬

Now, let's break down these 7 factors...

1. Startup Costs: Which One Won’t Wreck Your Wallet? 💳

Micro-markets will destroy your bank account. We're talking $15K-$25K minimum just to get started.

Nightlife vending? $5K and you're in business.

One machine, some ZYNs and poppers, done. You're making money while people are partying.

I've watched too many vendpreneurs go broke chasing fancy micro-market setups before they even understand this business.

2. ROI Speed Test: How Fast Do You Make Your Money Back? 💸

Nightlife vending pays for itself in 3-5 months.

Why? Peak night crowds buying $10-$30 impulse items with 60-80% margins. Your $4K machine is printing money.

Micro-markets? You're waiting 12-18 months to break even on your $15K+ investment.

The math is simple: Would you rather get your money back in 3 months or wait a year and a half?

I know which one I'm choosing.

3. Time Spent: What They Don’t Tell You About Day-to-Day Ops ⏰ 

Nightlife vending is low maintenance. Restock once or twice a week, 15-30 minutes per visit, managing less than 20 SKUs.

Micro-markets will consume your life. Multiple restocks per week, tracking expiration dates on everything, complex inventory management, way more babysitting than they tell you.

Reality check: One is a side hustle, the other becomes your full-time job.

4. Profit Per Product: Which Model Makes You More per Sale? 📈 

Nightlife machines crush it with high-margin products: vapes, ZYNs, chargers, mystery bags - 60-80% profit margins all day.

Average sale is $10+ and people don't care about price at 1AM. $13 ZYN? They're buying it.

Micro-markets sell $2 drinks and $3 snacks at 30-40% margins. Customers expect convenience store pricing, so your profits get squeezed.

5. Hidden Risks: What Easily Kill Your Profits ⚠️

Nightlife vending is straightforward. Slow nights happen, but when it's busy, you're crushing it.

Micro-markets seem stable until you realize shrinkage is crushing you. Industry average is 2-5% theft loss even with cameras and "honor" systems.

Low margins + high theft = profits disappear… oops.

6. Location Game: Which One Gets You Set Up Faster? 🤝

Nightlife vending is all speed. I installed 163 nightlife vending machines in my first 24 months.

That's how fast you can move when you're dealing with individual bar owners who make decisions on the spot.

Micro-markets in corporate offices? You're looking at 3-6 months minimum for large companies. RFP processes, vendor onboarding, insurance verification, health department approvals - the list never ends.

Even small corporate accounts still take 4-8 weeks because of all the gatekeepers you have to get through.

7. Lifestyle Check: Which Model Actually Gives You Freedom? 🏖

Nightlife vending is designed for entrepreneurs who want freedom, fast growth, and minimal friction.

Installations take 1–2 days, service takes 15–30 minutes per week, and the average operator runs 3–5 machines solo.

Micro-markets require way more structure: weeks of contract negotiations, daily restocks, and constant maintenance.

Unless you enjoy managing a mini convenience store, the lifestyle tradeoff is real.

Both models can work, but let's be honest about what you actually want.

If you're looking for faster cash flow, less daily maintenance, and a lifestyle with more freedom… nightlife vending just makes more sense.

That's exactly why I'm franchising Pod Plug — and why I just flew four people to Texas to see who's actually serious.

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