In 2025, laundromat vending machines are not just extra amenities—they are powerful tools for boosting your laundry business revenue streams. Today's machines have evolved far beyond the basic snack dispensers of the past. By using profitable vending strategies, laundromats can greatly increase their income with minimal effort.
In this blog, we’ll explore how smart vending technology, vending product selection, and cashless payment options, like Laundroworks card readers, can transform your vending operations.
The Vending Landscape Today
More customers prefer healthier laundromat snack vending options instead of traditional sugary treats. Here are some important trends:
-
Bottled water recently became the top-selling drink in vending machines, surpassing sodas.
-
Snacks like dried fruits, granola bars, or yogurt-covered pretzels sell quickly, especially among younger families and health-conscious shoppers.
-
Sales of ice cream and other classic snacks have gone down.
-
Self-service laundry amenities and phone chargers are now common in vending machines as product options expand.
Fast service, digital payments, and the right product mix keep customers happy in 2025. Meeting their expectations means more vending sales for your laundromat.
The Vending Machine Ownership Decision
Choosing whether to own or lease vending machines impacts your laundromat’s profits and workload. Here’s how to decide:
Owning machines:
Profits: Keep 100% of revenue.
Control: Full choice of products, prices, and promotions.
Responsibility: Handle your own vending machine maintenance and restocking.
Financing: Machines can be financed, spreading costs over time.
Leasing machines:
Costs: Lower initial investment, ideal for new owners or those unsure about customer demand.
Maintenance: Provided by vending company.
Profit Split: Typically, vending operators take 20–40% of revenue.
Key contract tips (if leasing):
-
Clearly define profit sharing percentages.
-
Outline specific maintenance responsibilities.
-
Agree upfront on product selection flexibility.
-
Watch out for hidden fees or restrictive terms.
Evaluate carefully based on your laundromat’s goals, resources, and expected laundromat vending machine ROI. Some laundromat owners start with leasing, then move to ownership once vending profitability is proven.
Strategic Machine Selection
Choosing the right vending machine depends on your laundromat’s size, customer base, and technology needs. Here’s how to make the best choice:
1. Match machine type to your space
-
Small laundromats → Compact combination machines (snacks & beverages) save space.
-
Medium & large laundromats → Multiple machines for snacks, drinks, and laundry essentials maximize revenue.
2. Energy efficiency saves money
-
ENERGY STAR-rated machines reduce electricity costs.
-
Brands like Crane Merchandising Systems & Vendo offer durable, energy-efficient options.
3. Key benefits of modern vending machines
✅ Combination machines maximize space.
✅ Bright digital displays attract customers.
✅ Smart machines track sales & inventory automatically.
✅ Energy-efficient models cut operating costs.
Investing in the right vending machines ensures higher customer satisfaction, lower costs, and greater vending machine ROI for your laundromat.
Vending Machine Placement Strategy
Where you put vending machines in your laundromat affects sales. Smart placement encourages more purchases.
Best places to put vending machines
✅ Near the entrance: Grabs attention as customers arrive and leave.
✅ By seating areas & folding tables: Encourages purchases while customers wait.
✅ Near high-traffic zones: Anywhere customers frequently pass or gather.
Boost sales with signage 
-
Use bold, clear signs to guide customers to vending areas.
-
Highlight best-sellers with phrases like “Grab & Go Snacks” or “Laundry Essentials Here”.
Common placement mistakes to avoid
❌ Hiding machines in corners: Makes them easy to overlook.
❌ Poor lighting: Reduces visibility and discourages purchases.
❌ Blocking walkways or equipment: Creates clutter and frustration.
Good vending placement makes it easy for customers to grab what they need while increasing your earnings.
Product Selection Optimization
Stocking the right products boosts vending sales and keeps customers coming back.
Match products to your customers
-
Families → Juice boxes or kid-friendly snacks
-
Students & young professionals → Energy drinks, protein bars or phone chargers
-
General laundromat customers → Bottled water, laundry essentials or healthy snacks
Popular vending machine items
⭐ Healthy snacks: Granola bars, nuts, dried fruit
⭐ Beverages: Bottled water, energy drinks, coffee
⭐ Laundry essentials: Detergent pods, dryer sheets, stain remover, laundry bag
⭐ Tech accessories: Phone chargers, earbuds, portable power banks
When you stock popular items based on popularity, customers buy more, and your profits grow.
The Laundroworks Advantage
One of the smartest vending strategies for laundromats today is using Laundroworks card readers. These easy-to-install card readers allow cashless payment vending, making buying easier for customers who prefer cards or mobile payments.
Laundroworks card readers integrate smoothly with your laundromat’s existing payment systems. Customers use one simple payment method for both laundry machines and vending items. This convenience encourages customers to spend more while in your laundromat.
Another advantage is detailed customer usage data. With Laundroworks, you see exactly what items sell best, when customers buy most, and how much money vending brings in. This helps you make smart inventory decisions.
Revenue Maximization Strategies
Boosting vending machine ROI starts with smart pricing and inventory management. Here’s how to maximize profits:
1. Pricing strategies that increase sales
-
Psychological pricing: Setting prices at $1.99 instead of $2.00 may encourage purchases.
-
Markup strategies for vending: A 50-100% on items markup ensures profitability while keeping items affordable.
-
Seasonal specials: Offer limited-time products during holidays or special events to drive more sales.
2. Vending inventory management
-
Rotate products regularly: Keeping selections fresh boosts interest and sales.
-
Eliminate waste: Smart machines adjust inventory based on demand, preventing overstocking and shortages.
3. Data-driven adjustments
-
Understand what products you are restocking most and what products sell least.
-
Offer different items throughout the year, such as warm drinks in winter and less ice cream.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Clean, working vending machines bring in more money and improve customer experience. Follow these simple maintenance steps:
1. Routine maintenance tips
-
Clean machines regularly, especially touchpoints like buttons and screens.
-
Fix jams or broken parts as soon as they occur.
-
Monitor inventory levels to prevent empty slots and lost sales.
If you lease machines, ensure maintenance responsibilities are clearly outlined in your contract with the vending operator.
2. Troubleshooting common issues
-
Machine jams: Post clear instructions for customers to report issues. Train a team member to handle quick fixes.
-
Cashless payment problems: Laundroworks readers are highly reliable, but if an issue arises, customer support can quickly assist with troubleshooting.
Regular maintenance minimizes downtime, keeps vending operations smooth, and ensures your laundromat maximizes revenue.
Calculating your vending machine returns
To determine whether your vending machines are truly profitable, use this simple formula:
Calculate your total costs
Include:
-
Machine purchase or lease fees (if owned, divide cost over expected lifespan)
-
Inventory costs (products stocked in the machine)
-
Maintenance expenses (repairs, cleaning, and restocking labor)
-
Utilities (electricity usage of the vending machine)
Track monthly revenue
Record all vending sales each month. By integrating your vending machines with Laundroworks payment, this is done automatically.
Formula:
( Total Monthly Revenue - Total Monthly Costs) ÷ Total Monthly Costs × 100 = ROI %
Optimize for higher returns
-
Adjust pricing to improve margins.
-
Refine product selection based on best-selling items.
-
Monitor costs and switch to lower-cost vending machine suppliers when possible.
By tracking ROI consistently, you can fine-tune vending operations for maximum profitability while letting Laundroworks automate sales tracking and inventory management for you.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Running a profitable vending operation in your laundromat is easier when you avoid common mistakes. Here are key pitfalls to watch out for and how to fix them:
1. Failing to compare wholesale prices
✅ Always check prices from multiple suppliers before purchasing inventory.
✅ Compare costs at Sam’s Club, Costco, and local wholesalers to find the best deals.
✅ Avoid impulse buying, which can cut into profits.
2. Choosing the wrong machine size
❌ Too big: Leads to unsold inventory and wasted space.
❌ Too small: Requires constant refilling, causing customer frustration.
✅ Match machine size to customer traffic and available space to balance stock and sales.
3. Not knowing what customers want
❌ Stocking random products without considering customer vending preferences can hurt sales due to leftover goods.
✅ Conduct simple surveys or use sales data from Laundroworks card readers to track popular items.
✅ Offer snacks and drinks that match your local demographics and culture.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve vending machine ROI, keep customers happy, and maximize profits in your laundromat.
Conclusion
A good vending plan helps your laundromat earn more while making customers happy. Picking the right machines, placing them well, and stocking popular vended products drive success. Laundroworks card readers make buying easier, boosting sales even more.
