Coffee vending route with a van
Run a growing route of coffee machines across offices, venues and public sites, serviced from your own van.
- £10k-50k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A full-time vending operation with a larger number of machines across many sites. You manage restocking, cleaning, repairs and new placements, often with a van and a small storage space for stock.
Your first three steps
- Build a target list of sites in one area, such as industrial estates, colleges, leisure centres and larger offices
- Set up a wholesale account for ingredients and cups, and find a machine supplier that offers servicing and spare parts
- Start with a small group of machines in close proximity, track sales per site, then add more where the numbers work
Who pays
Customers at each site pay per cup. Some sites, such as offices, may also agree a supply or subsidy deal with you.
How it makes money
Income comes from cup sales across the whole route, less ingredients, machine costs, van running costs, site commission and servicing.
Skills that help
- Route planning and stock control
- Selling placements to site managers
- Machine maintenance and repair
- Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Register as a food business with the local council and check hygiene requirements for your setup
- Public liability, product liability, motor insurance for business use and cover for stock and machines
- Cash flow, as machines are costly up front and sites can take months to pay back
- Loss of a key site can hit income, so avoid depending on one or two
- Employer's liability insurance if you take on staff
- Storing stock at home may need permission from a landlord or mortgage lender; check first
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: coffee vending route with a van
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a coffee vending route?
Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on how many machines you buy, your van and your initial stock. These are estimates, and machines are costly up front, so plan your cash flow.
How much can a coffee vending route earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the number of machines, site footfall and any supply deals. Losing a key site can hit income, so avoid depending on one or two.
What rules and insurance should I check for coffee vending?
Check that you register as a food business with your council and meet hygiene requirements. Look into public liability, product liability, business motor and stock cover, employer's liability if you hire, and permission to store stock at home.
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