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- 🍫 What’s Actually Inside My Machines? 💭
🍫 What’s Actually Inside My Machines? 💭
Here's what really sells
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 answering a question I get a lot on socials: What’s actually inside my vending machines? Here’s what I’ll cover:
🔥 My top 5 best-selling products (with profit margins)
🧠 Why vending machines in nightlife venues don’t follow the usual rules
📍 How city, scene, and setup totally change what you should stock
But before we jump into more details, I want to share a few quick updates on my nightlife vending franchise, Pod Plug.
🚀 Business Updates
📞 Took 38 franchise sales calls this week. The momentum is insane and we’ve got 3 of our team members’ calendars fully booked for next week too.
👥 Hiring 2 new appointment setters to join our franchise sales team and help keep up with all the inbound leads. If you know someone sharp and hungry, send them our way!
🎥 Went live on TikTok 4 times this past week. Each time, nearly 2,000 people joined and I received between 5 to 7 franchise applications after every session.
💸 Officially sold 20 vending machines in Texas for $205k, all cash. This frees me up to go all-in on franchising.
🛠️ Been building out tons of Zaps to automate our franchise CRM and make our backend way more efficient.
📲 Starting Monday, we’re rolling out Sendblue, a texting and calling CRM that lets us send actual iMessages (yes, blue bubbles) to leads. Super excited to experiment and build out some wild automations here.
📦 Placed our biggest machine order yet. 40 vending machines now ready to roll for franchisees.
Now, let’s dive into this week’s newsletter. 👇
🔗 Best Links
Curated picks for Vendpreneurs
📱 Top Reads
🍶 Japan does it again with a sake vending machine. (Vending Times)
💸 Looking to buy your first vending machine? Check this out. (Insider Media)
😱 Trending Now
Source: News Market US & DFY Vending
Vending machines in nightlife spots don’t move like regular ones.
Snacks barely sell (people aren’t at the club to eat chips 🤷). But essentials like condoms, wipes, gum, and phone chargers go fast.
At that hour, stores are closed. Your machine is the only option.
Stock the wrong items, and you’ll miss the sale.
So what actually works?
Here are my top 5 best-sellers, the products I always stock in my nightlife vending machines: 👇
My Top 5 Best-Sellers (w/ Profit Margins & Why) 💸
These 5 items consistently top our vending sale.
They solve real problems fast, and that’s why people don’t hesitate to buy.
1. Mystery Bags 🛍
Cost: $3 | Sells for: $10.99 | Margin: 72.7%
People love mystery bags.
Add in a tipsy crowd, some solid packaging, and a “what’s inside” vibe, and you’ve got a perfect product for the bar scene.
2. ZYNs 💨
Cost: $5.50 | Sells for: $13.99 | Margin: 60.7%
ZYN made up 38% of our vending revenue last month (over $3,800 in sales).
It’s not just trending, it’s mainstream. Top flavors include Red Fruits, Apple Mint, Cool Frost, and Black Cherry.
With 581 million cans sold last year, this is a no-brainer for nightlife vending.
3. GBP Vapes 🧊
Cost: $8.50 | Sells for: $28.99 | Margin: 70.7%
People vape for all kinds of reasons.
Some do it to chill out. Some use it to quit smoking. And for others, it’s just part of their daily routine.
But one thing is clear: they’re super loyal to their favorite flavors.
Miami Mint, White Gummy Ice, and Frozen White Grape are flying off the shelves. They are high-demand, high-margin.
4. Advil 💊
Cost: $0.80 | Sells for: $3.99 | Margin: 80%
You party hard, you pay the price.
Advil hits every hangover pain point like headache, body aches, cramps.
It's not flashy, but it’s always moving.
Last month alone, we sold 65 units.
5. USB-C Charger 🔌
Cost: $2.50 | Sells for: $12.99 | Margin: 80.7%
People want to stay online, keep snapping pics, and call that Uber later.
Chargers are low-cost, high-demand and a total win for both customers and bar staff who are sick of being asked for outlets.
Which items do you need the most on a night out? |
Why City Changes Everything 📍
Not all bars and clubs are the same and what sells in one spot might totally flop in another.
Take gay bars: products like Boner Bears move fast there. In other venues? Not so much.
Even vape flavors can be hit or miss depending on the city’s vibe, crowd, and culture.
The key? Pay attention to local behavior.
Your best-sellers in Miami might collect dust in Dallas.
TL;DR: Why Product Strategy = Profits 🧠
Success in vending isn’t about throwing random snacks into a machine.
It’s about matching the right products to the right locations. Every city, every venue, every machine has its own rules.
That’s where my franchise comes in:
✅ High-traffic locations already lined up
✅ Smart machines with data-driven inventory
✅ Ongoing support so you’re never stuck figuring it out alone
If you’ve got:
💵 $15K in liquid capital
💼 Sales experience (or the motivation to learn)
🔥 A passion to grow
💪 The drive to make it happen
We should definitely talk!
Investing in the right machines is one thing.
But investing in the full system, that’s how you turn a side hustle into a vending empire.
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? |
