Guide
The Cost to Host a Nicotine Vending Machine
Under a fully managed model the venue's direct cost is close to nothing. What varies is the share.
Under Afterwrk's model a venue pays nothing for the equipment, installation, restocking, servicing or software, and supplies electricity from a standard outlet. The venue receives an agreed share of net profit. What that share is belongs in the venue agreement, not on a web page.
The two models you will be offered
| Venue-purchased | The venue buys or finances the machine, owns the stock, and keeps the margin. Higher ceiling, and the venue carries the capital, the stock risk and usually the licensing question. |
|---|---|
| Fully managed | The operator owns the machine and the stock, handles the operator-side licensing where applicable rules allow, services the unit, and pays the venue a share. Lower ceiling, close to zero venue cost and risk. |
Afterwrk operates the second. Which is better depends on whether you want a margin or an amenity, and on whether you want a tobacco licensing obligation.
The real costs to interrogate in any offer
- Who buys the machine, and what happens to it if the arrangement ends?
- Who owns the stock, and who eats it if it does not sell?
- Who holds the tobacco retail license for the address?
- Who is liable if a sale is made to someone under 21?
- Who pays for card processing?
- What is the term, and how does a venue exit?
Last reviewed . A person rechecks the sources before this date changes.
Common questions
What will my venue earn?
It depends on your foot traffic, your placement and your product mix. The scenario tool on the revenue share page runs on your numbers rather than someone else's averages.
See whether your venue qualifies
The assessment applies everything on this page to your actual address.