Initial Setup and Investment Machine Cost: ~$7,500 - $9,500 (delivered with proper shipping terms). Bulk Supplies: ~$500 (includes sugar and sticks). Total Startup Cost: Under $10,000. Shipping Advice: Use Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) to avoid surprise shipping costs (~$3,000 extra). Top Vendors: Side Vending Location Strategy Crucial Step: Secure a location before buying the machine to avoid risk. Best Outreach Methods: In-person visits are most effective. Cold calling and emails are alternatives; paid ads don’t perform well. Operations and Maintenance Cleaning Schedule: Clean after every 100 servings to maintain quality and appearance. Deep clean (burner cover, furnace head) weekly or bi-weekly. Restocking Frequency: Machine holds up to 300 servings; refill after about 150 servings. Key Spare Parts: Furnace, water pump, sugar motors — essential to avoid downtime (shipping parts takes 1-2 weeks). Ongoing Costs Liability Insurance: $100-$150/month (depends on location). Cleaning Service: 1-3 cleanings per week; pay cleaners ~$50 per visit. $50 cleaning cost for every $1,000 in revenue (5% cleaning expense). Revenue & Profitability Cost of Goods: ~$0.30 per serving. Selling Price: Up to $10-$15 per serving. Profit Margin: Insane markup — buying for $0.30 and selling for $10. Potential Revenue: $1,000 for every 100 units sold. Goal: Distinctive Vending projects $500,000 in revenue for 2024. Challenges Machine Downtime: Machines will break; comfort with basic maintenance is essential. Expectation vs. Reality: Not a plug-and-play business. Requires regular visits to maintain and repair machines. Summary Strategy Location first, then machine. Control your shipping terms to avoid hidden costs. Outsource cleaning for passive income. Buy spare parts in advance to avoid downtime. Huge margins but comes with maintenance demands. More Cool Vending Machines Perfume Vending Machine Reel Webinar Podcast Clip Website Helmet Cleaning Vending Machine Reel Website