Hey there, Vendpreneur!

Welcome to Becoming a Vendpreneur—where every week I help you navigate the challenges of running a vending machine business, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your operation.

This week, I’m sharing 7 insane vending machine niches that can make serious money:

• Portable Phone Charger Vending Machine

• Healthy Food Vending Machine

• Ice Vending Machine

• and 4 more…

But before we jump into more details, I want to share a few quick updates on my two vending businesses, Pod Plug and Vending Machine LaunchPad (VMLP):

🚀 Business Updates

• 🥞 Kicked off the week with an incredible breakfast with my mentor, Daryoush (we covered everything from career goals to team leadership). Bonus: He’s introducing me to his VC friend in LA.

• 🤝 Had an insightful meeting w/ the founder of Vending Exchange, which is a tech platform that connects you with interested vending locations. Excited to see where this goes!

• 📊 Product development is in full swing: added multiple new products to our menu after an epic brainstorming session with the team.

• 📜 Found our new Operating Partner in Jackson, MS! (another step toward expansion.)

• 🎥 Getting way more comfortable on camera. YouTube long-form content coming soon!

• 🎬 Interviewed a YouTube long-form video editor & a media buyer candidate. Both super promising hires, and pulling the trigger on the video editor first.

• 🏈 Hosted 35+ people for an epic Super Bowl party (special thanks to my mom for the insane desserts, especially the banana cream pie 😋).

• 🎓 Mentoring my good friend’s 11-year-old son who wants to start a vending business in Dallas.

• 💡 Officially re-launched VMLP and had our first two sign-ups on day one!

More updates coming soon!

Now, let’s dive into this week’s newsletter. 👇

🔗 Best Links

Curated picks for Vendpreneurs

📱 Top Reads

• Poppi’s vending machine stunt is either genius or a total fail. Here’s my take. 🤯 (X/Twitter)

• These three vending machines in Toronto sell the strangest things.📍 (Streets of Toronto)

 😱 Trending Now

• A crazy vending machine in Japan sells cans of Tokyo air for $3. 🇯🇵 Would you buy one? (TikTok)

• Japan isn’t the only place with wild vending machines… wait until you see China! (TikTok)

A salary will never make you rich.

If you want real financial freedom, you need income that works for you (even when you're not around).

That’s where vending machines come in.

Most people think of vending machines as just snacks and drinks. But the industry is evolving FAST, and new niches are popping up that can make serious money.

Want to know what they are?

Here are 7 insane vending machine niches that can pay you daily in 2025. 👇

1. Portable Phone Charger Vending Machine 🔋

Everyone depends on their phone: for maps, payments, social media, and more. When the battery dies, people will pay to get back online fast.

These machines let customers buy or rent a fully charged power bank on the spot.

💰 Costs $3 per charger, sell for $12
📍 Best spots: Airports, malls, stadiums, bars

2. Ice Vending Machine 🧊

Ice is always in demand, especially in hot climates and peak seasons.

The best part? It’s just frozen water, so the profit margins are HUGE. Once the machine is running, your only costs are water and electricity.

💰 Costs 50 cents for 20 lbs, sell for $4
📍 Best spots: Gas stations, marinas, campgrounds

3. Healthy Food Vending Machine 🥗

People are more health-conscious than ever, and the demand for fresh, nutritious food is booming.

Most vending machines are filled with sugary snacks, but this one offers a better option.

💰 Buy for $3 a salad, sell for $10
📍 Best spots: Airports, gyms, hospitals

4. Coffee Vending Machine ☕

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and people pay big for a fresh cup. This machine serves espresso, lattes, and more. 24/7, no baristas needed.

💰 Costs $2 per cup, sell for $7
📍 Best spots: Offices, train stations, airports

5. Umbrella Vending Machine 🌧️

Unexpected rain = instant demand.

These machines let people grab an umbrella on the spot instead of getting soaked. When caught in a downpour, they’ll happily pay for the convenience.

💰 Buy for $4 per umbrella, sell for $20
📍 Best spots: Train stations, malls, airports, city streets

6. Breathalyzer Vending Machine 🍻 

After a night out, many people aren’t sure if they’re safe to drive.

A breathalyzer vending machine gives them a quick and easy way to check their blood alcohol level before making a risky decision.

💰 Costs 10 cents per straw, charge $2 per test
📍 Best spots: Clubs, bars, casinos

7. Perfume & Cologne Vending Machine 🧴

Nobody wants to smell bad… especially before a date, a night out, or a big meeting.

This machine lets people get a quick spray of designer fragrance on the go. Fresh scent, no need to carry a bottle.

💰 Costs 20 cents per spray, charge $2
📍 Best spots: Bars, clubs, airports, gyms

And That’s a Wrap!

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter.

Hit reply and let me know what you found most helpful this week—I read every single reply and I’d love to hear from you!

See you next Saturday!

-Ethan

Before you go, here are 3 ways I can help you get started in vending:

1.) Vending Machine LaunchPad - Learn exactly how to start and grow your vending business step-by-step and get direct access to me with 3 live calls per week, downloadable resources, templates, and a lot more.

2.) Pod Plug Franchise - With a super low-cost entry franchise, you’ll get three smart machines, starting inventory, and hands-on training. Join the waitlist!

3.) Nayax - Add cashless payments to your machines with Nayax card readers. Use my promo code “ETHANPROMO” for a nice little discount.