How to find and negotiate vending machine locations in the UK, including realistic revenue-share terms and what to put in a placement agreement.
Quick answer: Approach site owners directly with a clear pitch on footfall fit, offer a revenue share of 10% to 20% of takings or a flat monthly fee, and always confirm terms in a written placement agreement covering access, restocking, and notice periods.
Why location is the part most guides skip over
Almost every vending machine guide tells you that location is the single biggest factor in profitability, then moves straight on without explaining how to actually approach a site owner or what terms to offer. This guide covers that gap.
Where to look for locations
Offices, gyms, schools and colleges, hospitals and care homes, warehouses and factories, and transport hubs are the classic high-footfall locations for vending machines in the UK, each with different demand patterns and different decision-makers to approach.
Smaller, overlooked locations, such as independent gyms, trade counters, and communal areas in blocks of flats, often have far less competition from established vending operators and can be easier to secure as a new operator building your first few sites.
How to approach a site owner
Identify the actual decision-maker first. For an office, this is usually office management or facilities; for a gym, it is typically the owner or manager; for larger sites, it may be a facilities company rather than the business itself.
Lead with what the machine does for them, not what it does for you. A vending machine reduces staff time spent buying snacks off-site, improves retention of visitors who stay on-site, and costs the location nothing to have installed.
Bring specifics to the conversation: the machine type you propose, example products suited to their audience, and a clear revenue-share or fee offer, rather than a vague request to “see if it works out.”
Revenue share versus flat fee
Revenue share is the most common UK arrangement, typically 10% to 20% of gross takings paid to the site owner, scaling towards the higher end for premium, high-footfall locations or where the site owner expects a stronger cut for granting access.
A flat monthly fee, commonly £20 to £100 depending on the site, suits low-footfall locations where a percentage share would barely be worth calculating for either side, or site owners who prefer predictable income over a variable share.
Some larger sites, particularly hospitals and transport hubs, run a formal tender process rather than a direct negotiation, so check whether the location has a procurement process before approaching informally.
What to put in a placement agreement
Put every agreement in writing, even for a favour from a friend’s business, since verbal arrangements are the most common source of vending disputes once a machine is generating real income.
Cover access hours for restocking and maintenance, who is responsible for the electricity supply, the exact revenue-share percentage or fee and how often it is paid, and a clear notice period for either party to end the arrangement.
Include what happens to the machine if the site owner ends the agreement, since removing a machine from a location with short notice can be logistically difficult if this is not agreed in advance.
Negotiating renewal and expansion
Review performing locations after three to six months and use real sales data, not guesswork, to negotiate a second machine or a better product mix if a site owner asks for more from the arrangement.
A location that consistently underperforms is usually better relocated than kept running at a loss out of loyalty to the relationship, and most placement agreements should include a mutual notice period specifically to make this possible without conflict.
Common mistakes when securing locations
Agreeing a revenue share without checking the site’s actual footfall first is a common early mistake, since a generous percentage on a quiet location still adds up to very little income.
Skipping a written agreement in favour of a handshake deal leaves you with no recourse if the site owner changes the terms, restricts your access, or ends the arrangement without notice.
Overpromising a revenue share to win a location, then struggling to make the machine profitable at that percentage, is a trap many new operators fall into when competing for a desirable site.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage revenue share is normal for vending machines in the UK?
Most UK arrangements sit between 10% and 20% of gross takings, with premium or high-footfall locations towards the upper end of that range.
Should I offer a flat fee or a revenue share?
Flat fees suit low-footfall sites where a percentage share is not worth calculating. Revenue share suits higher-footfall sites and aligns your incentive with the site owner’s, since both benefit when sales are strong.
Do I need a written contract for a vending machine location?
Yes. A written placement agreement covering access, payment terms, and notice periods protects both parties and is the single most common gap that causes disputes later.
How do I find good vending machine locations as a new operator?
Approach offices, gyms, and smaller independent businesses directly with a clear, specific pitch, and consider overlooked locations with less competition from established operators while you build your first few sites.