Look for customers who will come back
A machine needs more than people passing it. Ask who comes back, when they want a snack or drink, and what else they can buy without interrupting their day. A large building can still have a poor machine position, limited access or a well-stocked kitchen.
Visit at the times you expect purchases. Record what you actually observe separately from what a host estimates. One busy visit is a snapshot, not a typical month.
Compare places you could put a machine
Use these questions when building your list of potential locations. The best fit depends on the customers, costs, and access at each site—not just the type of building.
| Location | Demand to investigate | What could undermine it |
|---|---|---|
| Workplaces | On-site headcount by shift; break patterns | Remote work, free food, restricted access |
| Apartments | Resident use of shared areas | Low visibility, access controls, nearby shops |
| Gyms | Member flow and fit of drinks or snacks | Front-desk retail, short visits, product restrictions |
| Warehouses | Shift overlap and break-room access | Safety induction, delivery windows, existing contracts |
| Waiting areas | Length of stay and visitors' needs | People unable to leave their place in line |
| Schools or campuses | Approved users and operating calendar | Procurement, nutrition rules, closures |
Check the exact placement
Walk the proposed spot with the decision-maker. Confirm that users will see the machine and that you can refill and repair it without disrupting the site. Obtain equipment requirements from the manufacturer before agreeing to installation.
- Record visibility, lighting, power availability and any connectivity needs.
- Measure doors, lifts and the delivery path against the machine dimensions.
- Ask who grants service access and what happens outside normal hours.
- Identify competing machines, shops and any exclusivity agreement.
- Note an explicit reason to decline a site, such as impossible access or unacceptable terms.
Decide whether the location is worth pursuing
Keep a short record for each prospect: observation, unresolved question, evidence needed and next action. Do not let a high informal score erase a hard constraint.
Before placing equipment, model costs using your own inputs and agree how a trial will be reviewed. A location near existing stops may be operationally attractive, but still needs enough demand to justify its additional cost.
Questions operators ask about finding a spot
Can I put a machine anywhere with foot traffic? Start by asking who controls the proposed space and whether they are open to vending. A busy public-facing building is not an invitation to install equipment. Confirm the host’s authority, the space available, and any existing vending arrangement before spending time on a full proposal.
Is a larger building always better? Compare likely buyers and their routines, not just headcount. A smaller workplace with regular shifts and limited alternatives may deserve a closer look than a larger building where people rarely pass the proposed machine. Neither observation is a sales forecast; check the actual site and its costs.
What should I bring to the first conversation? A clear description of the products and equipment you can provide, your service availability, and a short list of questions. Ask what people currently do for snacks or drinks and what the property owner would need from an operator. Leave commission terms open until you understand the costs.
How do I compare two locations? Keep a side-by-side record of repeat users, alternatives, visibility, access, host terms, and the extra time each stop adds to your route. Mark unknowns rather than awarding points for guesses. A location with an unresolved access problem should stay unresolved even if the building looks promising.
Sources & scope
Use this guide to help plan your next steps. Examples explain the calculations; they aren’t earnings forecasts. Check local requirements, get supplier terms in writing, and use your own records when making business decisions. This is educational guidance, not professional advice or original market research.
- SBA: Plan your business
General background on researching a business and separating startup and recurring costs; not vending earnings data.
Source background checked September 6, 2026. The links provide background, not validation of a particular location or product.
Take the next step with your location.
Use the Operator System’s location checklists, startup tools, and agreement template to organize your plans before placing a machine.
Find the right file in the $79 toolkit
Open the free location checklist, try the free sales-and-cost calculator, or explore the $79 Operator System for spreadsheets and templates to track costs, assess locations, and organize your business.