# Do vending machines make money?

Some do, and the location decides it. In ProfitDrawer's vending machine guide example, a bag of chips costing $0.50 sells for $1.75; after about 6% card fees and a 10% location commission, about $0.97 is left. At 250 items a month that is about $242, or about $228 after a 20 mile restocking route. The same machine in a quiet spot can barely cover its trips. These are example numbers, not averages; real results depend on traffic.

**The guide's per item example (example numbers only):**

| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Selling price | $1.75 |
| Product cost ($15.00 for a 30 pack) | $0.50 |
| Card fees, about 6% | $0.105 |
| Location commission, 10% | $0.175 |
| **Profit per item before travel** | **$0.97** |

250 items a month x about $0.97 is about $242. A 20 mile monthly route at $0.70 a mile as a rough running cost is $14, leaving about $228 a month for that machine.

Compare that with the guide's example startup budget of $2,200 to $9,400 for one or two machines: at $228 a month, a $2,200 start takes almost 10 months to earn back, before taxes and repairs.

**What makes the difference:** busy sites with long stays and few food options, a commission that still leaves you a margin, a working card reader, and swapping slow sellers. Track sales per machine so you can move a weak one, and prove one location before buying the next machine.

- Source: [How to Start a Vending Machine Business (ProfitDrawer guide)](https://profitdrawer.com/guides/how-to-start-a-vending-machine-business.html)
- Updated: 2026-10-29
- Published: 2026-10-29
- Category: Start a business
- Canonical: https://profitdrawer.com/answers/do-vending-machines-make-money.html
- Publisher: ProfitDrawer (https://profitdrawer.com)