Vending Machine Operators in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: August 2024
NAICS 45421Revenue
$8.6bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
52,540
Businesses
17,728
Wages
$X.Xbn
Vending Machine Operators in the US industry analysis
Vending machine operators stock and maintain vending machines that sell everything from snacks and soft drinks to technology and hand sanitizer. Because of the breadth of products sold in these machines, operators derive their demand from numerous markets, which limits volatility to a degree. Despite a rapid recovery in 2021, the losses from the pandemic disruptions have proven too significant to overcome. Consumer behavior has been altered and customers have become less willing to pay the premium for food and beverages from vending machines. Revenue for vending machine operators is expected to slump at a CAGR of 2.6% to $8.6 billion through the end of 2024, with a dip of 0.4% in 2024. However, growth in the prices of vending machine products has helped fuel a slight uptick in profit.
Trends and Insights
- Growing health consciousness is at odds with several products common in vending machines. It also gives operators an opportunity to capitalize on a renewed demand for healthy foods.
- Rising health consciousness among consumers has decreased demand for soft drinks and candy. Conversely, healthy snacks have become a much more common product in vending machines and are offered more extensively than in previous years.
- Vending machines draw more business to locations with more consumers. The Southeast is a massive downstream market for operators because of the high concentration of the population.
- Consolidation among upstream suppliers makes vendor concentration difficult. Vendors will always be beholden to their suppliers’ price and supply changes.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $8.6bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The industry is still reeling from the pandemic
- As the pandemic swept through the US, most offices, schools, universities and in-person events had to close down. Foot traffic around vending machines dropped and revenue plummeted. It has remained below pre-pandemic levels through the end of 2024.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Rising health consciousness across the nation limits growth
- Many of the vending machine business comes from sales of snacks, candy and soft drinks. As information has become more widely accepted regarding the dangers of overconsumption of soft drinks and highly processed foods, consumers have gradually begun switching their preferences.
Biggest companies in the Vending Machine Operators in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Compass Group Plc | 222.6 | 19.0 | 8.5 | |
Aramark Corp | 111.3 | 9.5 | 8.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Candy, Food and snacks and Hot beverages and other products. Candy is the largest segment of the Vending Machine Operators in the US.
Trends and Insights
Return to regular routines and in-person events boosted demand for food and snacks
- This segment includes chips, nuts and seeds, cookies, crackers and pastries. Vending machines that carry these products are located in business offices and schools, on college campuses and at larger-scale in-person events like conferences.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Arcade, Food & Entertainment Complexes in the US
- Street Vendors in the US
- Fast Food Restaurants in the US
Complementors
- Soda Production in the US
- Bottled Water Production in the US
- Juice Production in the US
International industries
- Street Vendors in Canada
- Soft Drink and Pre-Packaged Food Wholesaling in Australia
- Soft Drink and Pre-Packaged Food Wholesaling in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Vending machine operators provide and service automated machines that sell merchandise – primarily snack foods and soft drinks but also cigarettes, ice cream, newspapers and other goods. This industry does not include revenue from soft drink producers that operate their own vending machines.
What's included in this industry?
Retail sale of cold beverages via vending machinesRetail sale of hot beverages and other products via vending machinesRetail sale of food and snacks via vending machinesRetail sale of candy via vending machinesCompanies
Compass Group PlcAramark CorpPurchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CONVENIENCE STOREFRANCHISEREMOTE MONITORING SYSTEMMICROMARKETIndustry Code
NAICS 45421 - Vending Machine Operators in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Growing health consciousness is at odds with several products common in vending machines. It also gives operators an opportunity to capitalize on a renewed demand for healthy...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Rising health consciousness among consumers has decreased demand for soft drinks and candy. Conversely, healthy snacks have become a much more common product in vending machi...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Vending machines draw more business to locations with more consumers. The Southeast is a massive downstream market for operators because of the high concentration of the popu...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Consolidation among upstream suppliers makes vendor concentration difficult. Vendors will always be beholden to their suppliers’ price and supply changes.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Specialization and regionally specific companies cause major players to be fragmented. No operator claims more than 5.0% of the market and many companies have a large presenc...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Compass Group Plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Aramark Corp's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Compass Group Plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Aramark Corp, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Operators face varying levels of regulation across states. Some states require operators to obtain a license, while others, like Ohio, don't.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Wages can threaten profit during times of uncertainty. One reason is that upkeep, transportation and maintenance still have to be carried out.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in United States is $8.6bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in 2024?
There are 17,728 businesses in the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 2.6 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Vending Machine Operators in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Vending Machine Operators market in United States are Compass Group Plc and Aramark Corp
What does the Vending Machine Operators in the US in United States include?
Retail sale of cold beverages via vending machines and Retail sale of hot beverages and other products via vending machines are part of the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Vending Machine Operators in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Compass Group Plc.
How competitive is the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Vending Machine Operators in the US industry in United States.
