Guide
How to start a vending machine business in Canada
Starting a vending business comes down to three things: a location with enough people, a machine that suits it, and the time to keep it stocked. Here is how to do each in Canada, and when buying an existing route makes more sense.
1. Find the location first
Don't buy a machine and then look for a spot. Ask businesses with 25+ people on site and no food nearby: auto shops, warehouses, small manufacturers, clinics, apartment buildings. Offer a clean, modern machine with a card reader, and a small commission if they ask for one. Put the agreement in writing.
2. Pick a machine that suits the location
For a first site, a used or refurbished snack or combo machine with a card reader keeps the risk low. Match refrigeration to the site: drinks sell where people work physically; coffee sells in offices and waiting rooms.
3. Register and handle tax
Register a sole proprietorship or corporation in your province. Once your sales pass $30,000 in four quarters you must register for GST/HST and charge it. Some cities require a business licence, and fresh food machines may need public health approval.
4. Stock, service and grow
Buy product from cash-and-carry wholesalers or warehouse clubs at first. Telemetry on the card reader shows what sold, so you restock exactly what is needed. Once one machine is earning, the same playbook works for the next location.
Or buy a route that already earns
Buying an existing route skips the location hunt. You pay more up front, typically 12–24 months of net profit plus the machines, but the income starts the week you take over. See vending routes and vending businesses for sale.
Questions
Is a vending machine business profitable in Canada?
Yes, on good locations. A well-placed snack machine commonly sells $300–$800 a month, and margins after product and commission run 20–40%. Most failed vending businesses had machines on weak locations.
Do I need a licence to run a vending machine business in Ontario?
There is no provincial vending licence in Ontario. You may need a municipal business licence, and fresh food machines must meet public health rules.
How much money do I need to start?
One used machine with a card reader and first stock can be under $3,000. A small route of five to ten machines usually costs $15,000–$60,000 to buy outright.