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Before starting a vending machine business, it is very important to know which types of snacks and drinks are most popular in the industry. Market research is especially valuable in the vending business, where save for product selection and location. Customers will be pleased to have the snacks and drinks they like. Whether you operate a combo, snack, or beverage vending machine, your chances of success grow significantly when you stock it with products that are already in high demand.
But what are the most popular snacks and drinks for vending machines items today? From sodas to energy drinks, and from salty chips to sweet candy, industry data shows that a handful of brands dominate the market year after year.
Plan Your List of Most Popular Snacks and Drinks for Vending Machines
There isn’t one perfect solution that works for every location. It takes some testing and adjustments to find what sells best in each place. A smart approach is to give the business a checklist of the most popular snacks and drinks for vending machines and ask employees to mark what they’d like to see stocked. Avoid giving them a blank list because people might suggest items that are hard to find or not popular enough. For example, I’ve had customers request unusual options like black licorice or raisins, but I had to decline since those products usually don’t sell well to most people.
Top Popular Vending Machine Snacks and Candy
Every snack vending machine should include popular brands that people already know and enjoy. Customers in the United States have many different tastes. The more popular snacks you stock in your vending machine, the better your chances of offering something each customer will want.
Below are some of the top vending machine snacks in the United States.
1. Snickers Bars
Americans can’t resist a good chocolate bar, and Snickers tops the list as the favorite in the U.S., with about 50 million people enjoying it every year. It’s no surprise that Snickers is one of the most popular snacks in the automated retail and self-service machine industry. Whenever you can, make sure to include Snickers in your snack or combo machines.
2. M&Ms
M&Ms are a timeless favorite and a must-have in almost every vending machine across the U.S. Adding M&Ms to your machine is always a good idea, and you can switch up the flavors to see which ones your customers love most. The top favorite items are peanut butter, milk chocolate, white chocolate, almond, and English toffees.
3. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
When a customer comes to your vending machine looking for a satisfying crunch, you want them to find this iconic snack in stock. These snacks are come in several fillings, coatings, and different sizes.
4. Clif Bars
If you want your vending machines to attract health-conscious customers, Clif Bars are a perfect option for you to have. They’re loved by people who like to keep a quick, organic snack on hand, whether in their bag or car. Stocking Clif Bars in your machine will draw in this crowd, and once they stop by for their favorite bar, you can encourage them to grab other items too, like a drink, to boost your overall sales.
5. Doritos
One of the most addictive and favorite snack items of American people is Doritos. They’re a good choice to put in vending machines because people often buy a drink to enjoy with their chips. If you stock Doritos in a combo vending machine, make sure to include popular sodas like Coke or Pepsi, as they’re the top choices people like to have with their Doritos.
6. Sun Chips
Sun chips is one of the most populer snack as whole grain chips in the market. The Original Sun Chips flavor in the blue wrapper is quite popular. You can also put some Garden Salsa Sun Chips and Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips.
7. Hershey’s Chocolate Bar
If your vending customers are craving chocolate, Hershey’s classic bar is a perfect choice. This famous chocolate has been loved for over a century and is known in all across the U.S. The original Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar was launched in 1900, and since then, the brand has created many delicious versions of it.
8. Lay’s Classic Potato Chips
A vending machine without chips is missing out on big sales. Many people visit snack machines just to grab a bag of potato chips. Lay’s Classic Potato Chips are one of the top favorites in the country, and their bright yellow bags instantly grab attention. Adding them to your vending machine is always a smart move—they’re crispy, tasty, and sure to sell fast.
9. Oreo Cookies
Oreo is one of the most famous cookie brands in the world. When people look for cookies in a vending machine, Oreo is usually their first choice. If your machine is placed in an area where teenagers often visit, it’s a great idea to stock Oreos. Youngers love them because they’re tasty, affordable, and come in fun flavors.
Other Drinks to Stock in Your Vending Machine
Offering customers their favorite drinks is a great way to boost your vending machine profits. If your machine sells snacks, make sure drinks are available too. You can either place a drinks vending machine next to your snack machine or use a combo machine that offers both. In the U.S., sweet fizzy drinks like soda are the most common beverages people buy from vending machines.
Carbonated Soft Drinks and Soda
Bubbly drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are classics. For those who prefer citrus, Sprite and Mountain Dew are also popular.
Juice, Water and Juice Drinks
Orange juice and fruit blends bring flavor and vitamins. Brands like Tropicana, Minute Maid, Ocean Spray, and Apple & Eve join the top beverage trends. Quench your team’s thirst with water, the healthiest option. Today, brands like Dasani, Aquafina, Nestle, and Poland Spring offer flavored or seltzer waters. That way, your team can drink great-tasting office water.
Sports Drinks
For employees who exercise before or after work, sports drinks are a popular refreshment. Try brands like Gatorade, Powerade, Vitamin Water, and Propel.
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are another top beverage trend. Keep your team going with Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, and Bang. Smoothies are also important.
Coffee
Coffee is a workplace essential. Bring your team their favorite brands such as Folgers, Maxwell House, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Starbucks.
Tea
From iced tea to hot tea, offer your employees variety. Some top brands to include are Lipton, Snapple, Arizona, and Nestea.
Fully cooked meals, on the go
Vending machine foods can offer much more than quick bites and beverages—some even provide full meals! These machines are stocked with pre-packaged dishes that include automatic heating features, making them ready to eat right after purchase. Each meal can stay fresh for several days before needing replacement, and machines offering lunch and dinner options tend to perform well in busy locations.
By including both lunch and dinner choices in your vending machine treats and refreshments list, customers can enjoy greater variety and convenience.
Pastas
Sometimes customers just want a hearty serving of their favorite pasta. Dishes like spaghetti, penne, and lasagna are always popular and reliable choices for both customers and business owners.
Food bowls
Food bowls, like Buddha or taco bowls, are great options to include among the most popular snacks and drinks for vending machines. These single-serve meals are filling, easy to grab, and perfect for people on the go. Choices like meal-sized salads, veggie stir-fries, and taco bowls without wraps or shells can be big hits with the right customers.
Soups
You can’t go wrong with a warm bowl of soup—it’s simple to make, satisfying, and full of nutrients. Whether you choose chicken or lentil soup, both can be comforting and enjoyable any time of the year.
Seasonal and Location-Specific Products
Tailoring your product selection to location can dramatically increase sales
| Location Type | Recommended Products | Profit Potential |
| Office Buildings | Healthy snacks, premium coffee, fresh food | High (premium pricing possible) |
| Schools/Universities | Energy bars, juice drinks, hot food options | Medium-High (high volume) |
| Hospitals | Healthy options, gluten-free snacks, herbal teas | Medium (regulations may apply) |
| Entertainment Venues | Novelty items, customized treats, shareable snacks | High (impulse purchases) |
Most Profitable Vending Machine Items
Generally, carbonated soft drinks are the most profitable vending machine items. They sell fast, have few instances of spoilage, and can be marked up by as much as 200%. As a vending machine business owner, though, you should be assessing the profitability of the entire vending operation and not the profitability of singular items. If you can sell a lot of one product, the cumulative profits from that one product will be more than the profits from a ‘more profitable’ product that sells only a few units.
The profitability of your vending machine business depends on:
- Location
- The Popularity of Vending Products
- Mark up on vending products
Healthy Drinks and Snacks Every Office Vending Machine Should Have
A vending machine filled with healthy drinks gives employees better ways to stay hydrated and alert during the day. Refreshing, nutrient-rich beverages help keep their energy steady without the sugar crashes that come from sodas or energy drinks.
Smoothies, protein drinks , black coffee, Low-Sugar Coffee Options and many other options you can add in your vending machines.
Conclusion
Whether you already own vending machines or plan to start, choosing the right locations is key to earning more profit. Dropship Vending can guide you in finding the best spots and help you make smart decisions to get the most revenue from the money you have invested.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Businesses can work directly with their vending machine providers to request healthier snack and drink selections.
Healthier vending machine options can sometimes be more expensive than traditional snacks, mainly due to higher-quality ingredients and fewer artificial additives.
