How to Buy an Existing Vending Machine Business

Purchasing an existing vending machine business can be a great way to get started in this industry. Taking over a business with established accounts and routes means less time building up from scratch. However, there are important factors to consider when buying a vending machine company. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about acquiring an existing vending business.

Why Buy an Existing Vending Business?

Buying an existing vending machine business has several key advantages compared to starting from nothing:

• Established accounts and routes: Taking over a business with existing customers means you can hit the ground running. You avoid the upfront work of finding locations and negotiating accounts.
• Proven equipment: Assuming the machines are in good working order, you know the equipment is field-tested and profitable in the current locations.
• Instant revenue: With accounts already in place, you start earning income right away instead of waiting months or years to build up your customer base.
• Gain experience: Running an existing business allows you to learn the ropes without trial and error. You benefit from the current owner’s knowledge.
• Better valuation: An operating business with steady cash flow and assets is worth more than just a list of potential accounts.

Of course, buying an existing business also comes with some downsides and risks you need to consider. Performing thorough due diligence is essential.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Vending Business

Purchasing an existing vending company is not as simple as just taking over the accounts. Here are some important factors to evaluate:

Financial Records

Carefully review recent tax returns and profit/loss statements. Make sure income and expenses match what the seller claims. Verify cash flow and profit margins over the last few years. Have a qualified accountant audit the books if possible.

Equipment Condition

Inspect all machines and vehicles to assess their physical and working condition. Check for repairs and maintenance needed. Ensure equipment will remain reliable for years of service. Factor in upgrade or replacement costs.

Customer Accounts

Confirm the total number of accounts and get details like location names, address, machine types, sales history, commissions, and contract terms. Make sure accounts are active, profitable, and stable.

Terms of Sale

Review the asking price and desired deal structure. Consider getting valuations done separately by a business appraiser and equipment appraiser to support negotiations.

Staffing Needs

Factor in labor requirements for routes, repairs, accounting, etc. Decide if you will retain existing staff or need to hire. Get details on wages and benefits.

Insurance and Licensing

Make sure all necessary business licenses and permits are up to date. Review insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage. Identify any needs to change policyholders.

Owner Transition

Discuss the prior owner’s willingness to train and consult during an initial transition period. A gradual hand-off can help retain accounts during the change.

Finding an Existing Vending Business for Sale

Once you decide to purchase an existing vending company, the next step is finding one available for sale. Here are some options to locate good prospects:

• Business brokers – Many vending businesses are listed by brokers. Search sites like BizBuySell.com for available listings.
• Public sale listings – Websites like LoopNet.com allow vending companies themselves to post listings publicly.
• Vending associations – Join a local vending association and network to find owners thinking about selling.
• Word of mouth – Talk to others in your geographic area. Owners may be open to selling but haven’t officially listed yet.
• Vending publications – Publications like Vending Times often include ads for whole businesses or routes for sale.
• Business consultants – Businesses that assist vending owners with valuation and sale can guide qualified buyers to potential deals.
• Bank and lenders – Financing partners working with vending operators may know those looking to sell before any listing.

The best option depends on your location and timing. Cast a wide net using multiple approaches to find the greatest selection.

Valuing an Existing Vending Business

Determining fair value is critical when negotiating the purchase price. Consider these factors when assessing the worth of a vending machine business:

• Balance sheet – Add up all business assets like vehicles, equipment, and cash balances. Factor in liabilities too.
• Inventory – Estimate the current value of products, supplies, spare parts, etc.
• Financials – Review past sales, profits, and cash flow. Weigh trends over the last 3-5 years.
• Accounts – Consider the number, size, profitability, and length of customer accounts. Bigger and longer-term ones hold more value.
• Routes – More efficient routes with less dead time between stops are worth more than scattered accounts.
• Staff and systems – Existing processes that improve efficiency justify higher valuation. Skilled employees add intangible value.
• Goodwill – Longstanding reputation, brand identity, and customer relationships all contribute to intangible value beyond hard assets.
• Sales trends – Growing, stable sales indicate higher earnings potential than declining revenue.

There are also more formal valuation methods like comparing price-to-revenue or price-to-earnings ratios to industry averages. Many factors influence worth, so use multiple approaches.

Purchasing Process and Negotiation

Once you identify a potential acquisition target and agree on pricing, you can move forward with the deal. Here is an overview of the typical purchasing process:

• Letter of intent (LOI) – Non-binding agreement addressing major deal terms like price, structure, contingencies, etc.
• Due diligence – Thoroughly review financials, accounts, equipment, legal issues, etc. Perform inspections.
• Purchase contract – Binding agreement stipulating final price, closing timeline, representations and warranties, conditions, etc.
• Obtain financing – If needed, secure lending for purchase price and operating capital.
• Closing – Sign final paperwork and transfer funds. Register ownership change. Begin transition plan.

Expect negotiation back-and-forth throughout the process. Sellers want maximum price and limited liability. Buyers want suitability assurances and fair pricing aligned with real value. Compromises and concessions are normal in any acquisition. Hire experienced advisors to ensure your interests stay protected.

Transition After Purchase

The purchase agreement often includes an initial transition period for training and hand-off from the selling owner. Manage this well by:

• Training alongside staff – Ride routes, make sales calls, and review systems together
• Communicating changes – Inform customers and employees of the change in ownership
• Documenting processes – Update manuals with policies, procedures, account info, etc
• Reviewing performance – Check sales figures, costs, etc. and adjust plans as needed

Expect some account churn during the transition. Try to retain relationships by showing customers you plan to maintain great service.

With careful research and planning, buying an existing vending machine business can help skip the startup phase and begin generating profits faster. Weigh the benefits against any risks and price to find the right opportunity. Manage the takeover process patiently to retain accounts while putting your own mark on the business.

Key Steps for Evaluating a Vending Business Purchase

The purchase process requires carefully evaluating all aspects of the potential acquisition. Here is a checklist of key items to consider in your assessment:

Financials

• Review 5 years of tax returns, profit/loss statements, and balance sheets
• Verify sales and expense figures against bank records
• Calculate profit margins over time for trends
• Project future cash flows based on historical performance

Equipment

• Inspect all machines on location and in warehouse
• Assess physical condition, maintenance records, years of service
• Road test vehicles; check maintenance logs and ownership titles
• Research cost to repair, upgrade, or replace equipment as needed

Products

• Analyze sales by product for profitability
• Confirm availability and pricing of inventory/supplies
• Review restocking process and distributor relationships
• Identify any proprietary products or special sources

Accounts

• Confirm total number of locations and machine counts
• Check sales and commissions for each account
• Review account contracts and terms
• Discuss account history, growth potential, and risks

Employees

• Verify staffing levels for each function
• Review wage rates and employment terms
• Assess skill sets and performance
• Gauge experience, training processes, and turnover

Systems

• Examine route management, inventory, accounting systems
• Check technician dispatch and work order processes
• Review any proprietary software or databases
• Assess cybersecurity policies and backup systems

Legal

• Verify all necessary licensing and permits
• Review employer compliance like payroll taxes
• Check for liens, lawsuits, insurance claims
• Confirm trademark/IP ownership if relevant

Valuation

• Compare key metrics like price/revenue, price/earnings
• Weigh fair market value of all equipment and assets
• Calculate customer lifetime value based on retention
• Consider brand, staff, systems contributions to goodwill

Conducting due diligence across all of these areas allows you to make an informed assessment of the asking price and negotiate any needed adjustments.

Sales and Financing Options for Funding a Purchase

For most buyers, coming up with the full purchase price in cash is unrealistic. Here are some options to consider for funding the acquisition:

Business loan – Banks and alternative lenders provide financing specifically for buying an existing business. They assess ability to repay based on the company’s financial track record.

Seller financing – The seller carries a portion of the sale amount for a period before full payment. This provides flexible terms but less security than 3rd party financing.

Rollover 401(k) – Individuals can use retirement funds to invest in a business without tax penalty. Requirements include setting up a C corporation and solo 401(k) plan.

Home equity loan – Tapping accumulated home equity can provide funds for a business purchase. However, it risks your home if the business fails.

Personal assets – Some buyers fund a purchase using non-retirement investments, valuables, or property sales. This also represents risk.

Partners – Bringing on co-owners or silent investors spreads risk and can expand funding capacity. But it means giving up equity and control.

Seller holdbacks – Holding back full payment through earn-outs or retained equity means less upfront cost. But more obligation carries forward.

Analyze the costs, risks, tax implications and repayment terms for any financing option. Having a combination of sources helps reduce the burden on each.

Buying an Existing Business: Pros vs. Cons

Pros	Cons
Established customer base	Potential for hidden liabilities or conditions
Proven equipment and systems	Account attrition from transition
Existing staff with experience	Overpaying if valuation is inaccurate
Start earning quickly	Prior mismanagement damages reputation
Skip startup costs and learning curve	Taking on debt for purchase
Gain owner & staff expertise	Untransferable relationships dependent on owner
Worth premium over startup value	Resistance from staff towards new owner
Lower trial-and-error costs	Unexpected costs to repair, upgrade assets

There is no universally right or wrong answer regarding buying an existing business versus starting your own. The pros and cons come down to your specific risk appetite, skills, and finances. Buying a modest size business with stable finances and operations can provide the best scenario for many entrepreneurs.

Key Terms to Understand

Here are some important terms that often come up when buying an existing vending machine business:

Cash flow – The net cash generated by regular business operations, calculated as revenue minus expenses. It represents earnings capacity over time.

Discounted cash flow – Projecting future cash flow, discounted to current value based on inflation and uncertainty over time. Used in valuation models.

Goodwill – An intangible asset representing things like brand identity, customer loyalty, intellectual property, and reputation, quantified through valuation methods.

Working capital – The excess of current assets over current liabilities. Measures liquidity to cover near-term operating costs.

Turnover rate – The portion of assets converted to revenue in a period, indicating how productively assets are used to generate sales.

Inventory turnover – The number of times inventory is replaced in a period. Higher turnover indicates efficiency.

CAPEX – Capital expenditures for long-term assets like equipment, vehicles, or facilities. Adds to balance sheet value but not current profits.

OPEX – Operating expenses for regular business functions like payroll, maintenance, rent, utilities. Reduces current profitability.

EBITDA – Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Measure of operating profitability excluding financing costs.

Understanding these financial metrics allows for in-depth analysis of the business’s profit drivers, efficiency, earnings capacity, and valuation.

Final Tips for Buying a Vending Company

If acquiring an existing vending machine business interests you, keep these final tips in mind:

• Seek listings priced based on profit, not just revenue or assets. Lower sale prices linked to earnings.
• Look for steadily growing sales and profit margins, not rapid expansion or declines.
• Focus on sellers with detailed records, transparent finances, and quality assets.
• Be conservative in projections and valuation assumptions. Don’t overpay for potential.
• Negotiate an initial training period before full hand-off.
• Communicate early and clearly with staff and customers around the transition.
• Be prepared to replace poor performers among staff or accounts if needed.
• Seek legal and accounting guidance to cover all liabilities and obligations.

With careful research, realistic valuation, and strategic negotiations, buying an existing vending machine business can prove a profitable endeavor and faster route to business ownership. Just be sure to protect your interests during the acquisition process.

Frequently Asked Questions When Buying a Vending Business

How much funding is required to buy a vending business?

The upfront cash needed depends on the sale price and your financing terms. Often 20-40% down payment is required through bank/SBA loans. Have additional working capital for supplies, staff, unexpected costs. Purchase price often ranges from 2-5x yearly profits.

What is the process for obtaining financing?

Start with your business plan, personal/business financial records, collateral assets, and purchase agreement terms. Meet with lenders like banks, credit unions, and alternative lenders to present your qualifications and plans. Be ready to personally guarantee loans.

Should I make an offer contingent on financing?

Making your purchase offer contingent on securing financing by a certain date is recommended to avoid being stuck without funds. However, sellers may pass on contingent deals for ones with secured financing.

How much customer attrition is common when buying a vending business?

Expect to lose 10-20% of accounts in the transition, depending on how established relationships are with the owner. Maintaining service quality and communicating early reduces attrition. Budget for some loss.

What are the tax implications when purchasing a vending business?

You inherit the assets at their fair market value, which becomes your cost basis if you later sell. Goodwill and intangibles cannot be depreciated for tax purposes. Consult a tax expert for your situation.

Key Points in Summary

• Purchasing an existing vending company allows starting with established accounts, equipment, and staff rather than building from scratch.
• Carefully analyze financial records, equipment assets, product inventories, account contracts, staffing, systems, and legal compliance during due diligence.
• Consider both tangible assets and goodwill value when assessing fair valuation and making an offer. Get professional valuations.
• Be prepared to finance a portion of the purchase through loans, seller financing, home equity, retirement funds, investors, or private assets.
• Manage customer and employee communications closely during the ownership transition period to maintain relationships.
• Weigh the pros and cons relative to your personal financial situation, skills, and business goals when deciding between buying or starting new.
• Work closely with lawyers, accountants, and advisors throughout the acquisition process to protect your interests in negotiations.
• Buying the right vending business at a fair price can provide a faster, lower-risk entry point to business ownership. But still approach the opportunity carefully and strategically.

Conclusion

Purchasing an existing vending machine business can allow you to skip past the most challenging startup hurdles of establishing accounts, buying equipment, and recruiting staff. Taking over an already operational company means generating revenue immediately. However, careful analysis must still be conducted to avoid inheriting problems or overpaying.

This guide has covered major factors to research like financial records, asset condition, customer accounts, staffing, and valuation methods. Understanding your financing options is also key. With thorough due diligence and strategic negotiations, buying the right vending business under the right terms can prove less risky than building one from zero. But there are still challenges around maintaining customer retention and properly valuing goodwill and other intangibles.

By following best practices around evaluation, financing, purchase terms, and transition management, buying an existing vending operation can be an excellent path to business ownership. Just be sure to enlist experienced legal, accounting, and business advisors to protect your interests in the transaction. Do your homework upfront to set your acquisition up for success.