About the Vending Machine Profit Calculator
This vending machine profit calculator estimates what a snack, drink or combo machine — or a small route of machines — actually earns each month. Enter how many machines you run, how many items each sells per day, the average selling price and what each item costs you, then add the location’s commission, card-reader fees, product spoilage and the running costs of restocking trips, telemetry, maintenance and insurance.
It shows monthly revenue and profit, profit per machine, profit margin, the number of vends per machine per day you need to break even, annual profit, return on the money spent on machines and how many months the machines take to pay for themselves. The table breaks every cost down so you can see which one to negotiate first.
It is useful when deciding whether vending is profitable, evaluating a location before placing a machine, pricing a route you are thinking of buying, or deciding whether to raise prices. Profit is before income tax and before valuing your own time unless you include it in the cost per restock trip.
With the default inputs, the monthly profit is $1,689.25. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the vending machine profit calculator
- 1Enter the number of machines and the average items each sells per day.
- 2Enter the average selling price and what each item costs you.
- 3Add the location commission, card fees and an allowance for spoilage.
- 4Enter restocking trips, cost per trip and monthly per-machine fees.
- 5Enter the cost per machine to see return on investment and payback.
Formula and method
Monthly items sold are machines M × items per machine per day V × selling days D, and revenue is items × average price P. Product cost is items × unit cost C, grossed up for spoilage and theft. The location commission and card fees are percentages of gross revenue. Fixed monthly costs are restocking trips × cost per trip, per-machine card-reader and maintenance fees, and insurance and licenses.
Break-even items per machine per day divide the fixed costs by the contribution each item leaves (price after commission and card fees, minus product cost with shrink), spread across machines and days. Payback divides the total machine cost by monthly profit, and annual return on machine cost is twelve months of profit divided by that cost. Sales tax collected on vended items is assumed to be excluded from the price you enter.
- M
- Number of machines
- V
- Items sold per machine per day
- P
- Average selling price per item
- C
- Average product cost per item
Worked examples
Three snack machines, 25 vends a day
3 machines × 25 items × 30 days = 2,250 items, or $4,500 at $2. Product cost with 2% shrink is $1,951, the location takes $450, card fees $135 and fixed costs $275 (8 trips at $20, readers, maintenance, insurance). Profit is $1,689 a month, so the $10,500 of machines pays back in just over 6 months.
One machine in a quiet office
Twelve sales a day at $1.75 bring in $630 a month. After $257 of product, a 15% commission ($94.50), card fees and $145 of fixed costs, the machine makes about $115 a month and takes nearly 22 months to pay off. It needs about 6.7 sales a day just to cover fixed costs.
Ten-machine route in busy locations
10 machines × 40 items × 30 days at $2.25 is $27,000 a month. Product ($11,628), 15% commission ($4,050), card fees ($810) and $830 of fixed costs leave $9,682 of monthly profit, or about $968 per machine. The $40,000 of equipment pays back in a little over 4 months.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a vending machine make per month?+
It depends mostly on location traffic. In the worked examples above, a single office machine selling 12 items a day nets about $115 a month, while machines on a busy route selling 40 items a day net about $968 each. Enter your expected daily sales to see your number.
Is a vending machine business profitable?+
It can be, with good locations, sensible pricing and efficient restocking routes. Margins on product are typically healthy, but low-traffic sites, high location commissions, spoilage and the time spent restocking can wipe out profit. Test each location with conservative sales estimates.
What commission do vending locations take?+
Many small sites take no commission and simply want the convenience for staff or customers. Busier or larger locations commonly negotiate a share of gross sales, often somewhere around 5% to 25%, and large contracts may involve fixed fees or bids.
What is a good markup on vending products?+
Vending operators often aim to sell items at roughly double their wholesale cost or more, giving product cost of about 35%–50% of the price. Drinks and snacks bought in bulk from warehouse clubs or distributors usually allow this, but check local prices to stay competitive.
How long does it take for a vending machine to pay for itself?+
Divide the cost of the machine, including any card reader and delivery, by its monthly profit. A good location might pay off a used machine in under a year, while a quiet site can take two years or more — or never pay back at all.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.