Let’s talk vending machines, one of the most underrated power plays in a laundromat.

If you're debating whether to own your vending machines or let a third-party company stock and manage them, here’s my advice: own them. Every time! I’m not just saying that because I like to control everything (though...maybe a little). I say it because vending machines, when done right, can become a subtle but powerful piece of your laundromat’s ecosystem.

Here’s the Setup I Recommend:

📦 Two machines:

• One for snacks and drinks

• One for laundry supplies

We’re not just tossing in a few dusty dryer sheets and a half-melted candy bar. We’re talking variety and value. For your laundry supply machine, I like to stock:

• Multiple soap options (liquid and pods)

• Fabric softener

• Bleach

• Dryer sheets

• Dryer balls

• Laundry bags

• Stain treatment

• Branded t-shirts (yes, they actually sell A LOT)

And in the snack machine? Let your zip code decide. More on that in a minute.

The Great Healthy Snack Debacle of Store #3

When I opened my third store, my wife, who’s a nurse and way healthier than me, convinced me to stock the vending machine with “better-for-you” options. Think: gourmet canned coffee, fancy granola bars, bougie water in recyclable packaging. It was classy. Clean. Instagram-worthy.

But after 45 days? We sold nothing. Zero. Zilch.

Turns out, my customers are all-in on the worst offenders. Give them the brightest food dyes, artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup, and non-dairy chocolate milk that probably isn’t even chocolate. You know, the stuff that feels like it might outlive us all.

Bottom line: you have to know your community. Give them what they want, not what you wish they wanted. Otherwise, your vending machine becomes a sleek, glowing monument to good intentions and poor sales.

Profit Isn’t the Point (But It’s Nice)

Here's the kicker: I don’t use vending machines to make a killing. I keep snacks around $1 and laundry supplies around $3. Why?

Because every snack bought = time spent in the store = less idle time on machines = more turns per machine per hour. If I can keep people entertained and occupied, I effectively cut my machine usage time in half, which doubles my revenue during peak times.

And sure, I still make several thousand bucks a month from vending. That doesn’t hurt either.

Connect to Your Rewards System

Another huge plus to owning your machines: integration.

Buy new machines that can connect to your laundromat’s loyalty system. Give points for purchases. Offer discounts for members. It’s just one more way to tie the whole customer experience together and keep people coming back.

Bonus: Got Outdoor Space?

If your storefront has any kind of exterior space, especially near a sidewalk or lot. Consider grabbing a nice used soda can machine for the outside (try Facebook Marketplace). These are low-maintenance, cheap to stock, and can bring in cash from people just passing by, or folks waiting in their cars.

They’re the silent sentinels of passive income.

Final Word

Vending machines aren’t just about snacks and soap. When used intentionally, they become part of your strategy to increase dwell time, reduce machine wait time, improve customer experience, and yes - boost profits.

So if you’re still handing this off to a third party, it’s time to rethink it. Don’t rent out that square footage to someone else’s vision. Use it to support yours.

Until next week,
Josh
Founder, Laundry Advisors
Helping you build laundromats that don’t just break even, they break records.

💬 Share this blog with a fellow laundromat owner who's still letting someone else stock their vending machines with overpriced off-brand cola.
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