Full-Time coffee vending business

Employees, students, patients and visitors buying coffee, plus larger venues that may sign multi-year placement agreements with you.

Per-cup sales across many machines, with income depending on foot traffic at each site. Some operators add snack or cold drink machines to the same locations to raise revenue per stop.

• Sales and contract negotiation
• Bookkeeping and inventory control
• Machine repair and maintenance
• Managing helpers or a part-time employee

• Check your state and city for vending, food handler or health department permits, and whether your storage space needs approval
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire anyone, plus commercial auto insurance for your van
• Larger venues may require contracts, insurance certificates or competitive bids
• Heavy lifting of machines and supplies, so plan for safe handling
• Cash flow: machines are paid for upfront while income arrives slowly as sales build

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $80,000 to $250,000, depending on how many machines you buy, your storage space and your van. Machines are paid for upfront while income builds slowly, so plan cash flow carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many machines you run, their locations and how much coffee they sell. This is revenue before supplies, repairs and vehicle costs.

Check your state and city for vending, food handler or health department permits, and whether your storage space needs approval. Also check workers' compensation once you hire, commercial auto insurance for your van, and venue contract or bid requirements.