How to Get Locations if You’re New to Vending
New to the business? Learn beginner-friendly strategies to land your first vending placements with minimal experience.
Back to Vending Machine Locators Resources
New to the business? Learn beginner-friendly strategies to land your first vending placements with minimal experience.
Back to Vending Machine Locators ResourcesStart your 30-day free trial and get instant SMS and email alerts whenever a local business needs vending service. These are real location leads to help you grow your route — you decide which ones to buy, no obligations or contracts.
Start with warm leads like friends or local contacts
Target high-traffic areas for better product turnover
Use professional brochures and location proposals
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If you’re just starting out in the vending business, landing your first few machine placements can seem intimidating. Fortunately, there are beginner-friendly strategies that can help you build trust with location owners—even if you don’t have a track record yet.
Start small and local. Friends, family, and acquaintances who manage businesses, schools, or offices can serve as valuable first contacts. People are more likely to say yes if they already know you or feel confident about your professionalism. Offering a polished handout or one-page proposal with visuals and your contact information can boost your credibility instantly.
Another powerful method is walking into businesses with high foot traffic, such as car dealerships, gyms, and auto repair shops. Ask to speak with the site manager and briefly explain the benefits: convenient snacks and drinks for employees or visitors, zero upfront cost, and full servicing handled by you. Don’t forget to highlight modern features like cashless payments and energy-efficient machines.
Consider offering a short-free trial with regular refills to build trust. Once proven, many owners are open to long-term installs. Combo machines work well when space is limited, while offices and residential buildings may prefer healthier options and glass-front machines to improve product visibility.
Connecting with a vending lead service can also be a game changer. They match vendors with businesses actively looking for machines, saving you time spent cold-calling. For example, knowing which products perform well can strengthen your pitch, especially when targeting schools or offices with specific demand preferences.
Lastly, maintaining your equipment is just as important as placement. A well-maintained machine builds trust and ensures repeat business. If a location sees reliable servicing and regular restocks, they’re more likely to keep you long term—and recommend you to others.
Vending Exchange connects vending operators with real businesses actively looking for vending services—including traditional machines, AI coolers, and office coffee. Get instant SMS and email alerts when new opportunities are available in your area. No contracts or monthly fees—just buy the leads you want. Start your free 30-day trial today and grow your vending business on your terms.
Start by reaching out to people you know, like family or local business owners, and offer a simple vending proposal. Focus on areas with high foot traffic.
Start with smaller locations like barbershops, auto shops, or local gyms. These often prefer simple snack or combo machines and are easier to approach.
Keep it brief, focus on the benefits (free service, modern machines), and hand over a one-page flyer or brochure that makes you look professional.
Some may ask, but most care more about reliability, machine quality, and product selection. Presenting yourself professionally can help overcome inexperience.
It’s best to start with 1–3 machines so you can focus on learning location servicing, stocking, and maintenance before expanding.
Rejection is normal. Ask for feedback, stay polite, and move on. Each no brings you closer to a yes.
Yes, offering a free trial with full service can build trust and demonstrate the value you provide, especially for your first placements.
Yes, vending lead services like Vending Exchange help connect vendors with real businesses already looking for machine installs.
Use a clean one-page flyer with images, machine options, key benefits, and your contact info. Be sure it’s easy to understand at a glance.
Many vendors start by purchasing refurbished machines to save money. Rentals can also work if you keep costs low and land stable locations.