10 Most Profitable Vending Machine Items

With standard vending machine profit margins ranging from 20-25%, adding a unit to your factory, office or other business can be a great way to make passive income. If you want to meet or exceed the upper end of this range, our guide to the 10 most profitable vending machine items will help you choose the best snacks and drinks if you want to make as much money as possible.

Water

According to industry data, the margin on bottled water can reach up to 86%, making it one of the most profitable vending machine items. Although water almost always brings in plenty of revenue, you can maximize sales by placing water bottles at eye level in the machine–not at the very bottom or top–to improve product visibility and promote impulse buys.

Candy

Candy is one of the most profitable convenience store items, and it’s one of the best money-makers in vending machines, too. While candy bars are the standard sweet in snack machines, be sure to carry a variety of choices, ranging from chocolate bars and fruit chews to nut clusters and caramel squares, in order to please as many people as possible. 

Soda

A Washington Post article cites a study that found soda makes up 56% of all items sold in vending machines. Considering the high sales volume, there’s no doubt that carbonated beverages are some of the most profitable vending machine items. Even though many people love sugary sodas, remember to stock some reduced sugar or sugar-free drinks as well for your health-conscious customers.

Juices & Sports Drinks

Don’t overlook the money-making potential of juices and sports drinks. Health-conscious consumers usually expect to pay more, so you can charge a good markup without crushing demand. Although orange and apple juice are always popular, don’t forget about electrolyte drinks and protein shakes since these premium options can command even higher prices.

Chips

With the US potato chip market expected to reach $14.14 billion by 2030, it’s clear that consumers love crispy, crunchy treats. Potato chips can be especially profitable in vending machines since many people will buy a drink along with their salty snack, generating even more revenue. Even if you don’t have the room to stock a large variety, it’s still a good idea to offer at least a few types, such as classic salted, cheese puffs and corn chips to satisfy diverse tastes.

Pretzels

Another salty, crunchy food that’s one of the most profitable vending machine snacks is pretzels. The lack of moisture and hard texture gives them a long shelf life, decreasing the risk of inventory loss due to spoilage. Although hard pretzels don’t usually come in as many flavors as potato chips, you can still offer a variety of shapes, like knots, sticks, rods, thins and nuggets.

Healthy Snacks

If you want to attract the health-conscious crowd, be sure to stock your unit with a variety of wholesome snacks. Selections like cheese and peanut butter crackers, roasted peanuts, trail mix and granola bars are not only popular but also have a long shelf life—ideal for maximizing profitability. Don’t forget to offer a few sweet options like raisins and fruit snacks, too.

Energy Drinks

Considering that the energy drink industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.1% over the next few years, it makes sense to capitalize on the high demand. In fact, energy drinks are some of the most profitable vending machine items because they’re often impulse buys for people needing a quick pick-me-up, allowing you to charge a bit more and improve your margins without negatively impacting sales.

Iced Coffee

Caffeine in the form of ready-to-drink iced coffee can be a highly lucrative item to stock in your vending machine, especially if it’s located in a large office or hospital where employees often seek a quick energy boost. While plain iced coffee consistently enjoys high demand, expanding your offerings to include flavors like mocha, caramel, and French vanilla can attract even more customers.

Pastries & Cookies

Cinnamon rolls, toaster pastries, fudgy brownies and chocolate cookies are great revenue-generators for a self-serve snack machine since they all have wide appeal and strong sales. If you want to improve the customer experience, remember to place cookies and pastries near the bottom of your unit so that they don’t break apart after falling from one of the higher levels to the delivery bin.