How much can a vending machine make in the UK?
A realistic look at vending machine earnings, what drives them, and how to estimate what a machine could take in your venue.
The honest answer is: it depends almost entirely on where the machine goes. The same machine can take £300 a month in a quiet corridor and £3,000 in a busy gym. Here's how to work out which end of that range your venue is likely to be.
The simple formula
Monthly revenue is roughly:
Daily footfall × % who buy × average spend × 30
So a venue with 400 people a day, where 5% buy something at £2.50, takes about £1,500 a month. Double the footfall and you double the takings.
What drives the numbers
Footfall (and dwell time)
More people means more sales, but how long they stay matters too. Gyms, student accommodation and leisure venues often convert better than their raw footfall suggests, because people are there for hours and get hungry or thirsty.
Placement
A machine by the entrance or exit sells far more than one tucked around a corner. Visibility is the biggest free improvement you can make. More on that in our placement guide.
The product range
Match the range to the audience: protein and electrolytes in gyms, chargers and toiletries in hotels, energy drinks on night shifts. The right mix can lift average spend by 30% or more.
Payment options
Cashless machines sell more, full stop. Fewer people carry cash, and contactless removes the friction. Every Juicy Vend machine arrives with a Viva Wallet terminal fitted, taking card, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Revenue isn't profit
Remember to take off the cost of stock (typically 45–55% of the sale price for snacks and drinks) and any rental or lease cost. That's why our ROI calculator shows revenue and what you actually keep.
The quickest way to find out
Try our 60-second venue check. You'll get an instant estimate, and we'll follow up with a proper projection for your space.