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- 🍫 Before you invest in a vending machine franchise, read this!
🍫 Before you invest in a vending machine franchise, read this!
3 numbers that matter
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 dove deep into vending machine franchises. I analyzed the numbers & found something interesting… the successful franchisees all track the same:
🔍 What you’re actually paying
📈 What one machine really makes
⏱️ How fast you get your money back
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A lot of people ask me: “How do I know if a vending franchise is actually worth it?”
The truth is: only 3 numbers matter.
If you understand these, you can spot a good (or terrible) deal in minutes.
Here’s the breakdown:
What You’re Actually Paying 🔍
Most people just ask, “What’s the cost?”
The better question is: “What’s included and what’s not?”
When I launched in 2019, I thought I was being scrappy by doing it all myself.
I bought machines, figured out card readers, stocked product, and DM’d 100+ frats to find locations.
It worked, but it cost way more than I expected: in time, stress, and mistakes.
People forget about the extras: tech setup, inventory sourcing, legal, and support when something breaks.
That’s why franchise pricing ranges from $35K–$12K. You’re paying to skip the guesswork.
DIY? It might look cheaper at $6K–$12K, but you’re trading money for risk and time.
If you don’t know what’s included, you don’t know what you’re really paying for.
Monthly Profit: What One Machine Really Makes 📈
With a good location, one machine should net you $150–$300/month in profit.
That’s after restocking, payment fees, and basic operating costs.
My average frat machines pulls $2,000/month in revenue and nets solid margins.
Just got into vending?
Here’s a breakdown of how much you can expect to earn monthly (these are my actual numbers).
These numbers might surprise you!
— Ethan Kohan 🍫 (@ethan_kohan)
1:04 AM • Jul 10, 2025
Franchisees tend to hit these numbers faster because we help them avoid bad locations, stock products that actually move, and keep machines running right.
DIY operators?
It’s all over the place with some make $100/month, some get stuck at $0 because they picked the wrong spot or stocked the wrong products.
The goal isn’t to own a vending machine.
The goal is to own one that actually performs and pays you every single month.
Payback Period: How Fast You Get Your Money Back ⏱️
This is the number that actually matters: how long until the machine pays itself off.
Today, our franchisees are projected to break even in 9–14 months, depending on the location and product mix.
DIY operators?
If they get everything right, maybe 18–24 months. But most spend the first 6 months just figuring things out.
Faster payback leads to faster profit and faster scaling.
That’s how I went from 2 machines to over 80 in a year.
What do you think is the biggest factor in breaking even in vending? |
So… What’s a Bad Deal Look Like? 🚩
Not all vending franchises are created equal.
If it feels like you're being left to figure everything out on your own, that's a red flag. Here’s what to watch out for:
❌ No help finding or securing locations
❌ High franchise fees with no clear value
❌ No training, no systems, no ongoing support
❌ No tech or servicing support when machines break
❌ No real proof that other franchisees are making money
If you're paying for a brand but doing all the work yourself, you're not buying a franchise… you’re just buying a machine with a logo.
Get the training, support, and systems you need to succeed.
If you want vending that actually pays you back… 💰
And use a proven system with location and supplier support, here's what you need:
💵 $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
What did you think of this week's issue? |
