The first thing we have to fine out is what the vending business is. It is mostly store owners and individuals, who buy or rent several machines, stock the merchandise and keep some of the profits, and who operate vending machines in the USA. Governmental or quasi-governmental entities maintain such machines as U.S. Postal Service machines. There is, however, an independent machine business, operated by people, who have never been in business before. It is divided into two categories: bulk candy and soda/snack vending.

Operators of both types of the independent vending have to persuade locations to accept a machine. Bryon Krug's book Vending Business-in-a-Box advises: "The key is not being discouraged when people tell you no. Unless you are a natural-born salesman, you will get turned down many more times than you are told yes - . . . ninety percent of the time, people tell me no or I find out that the person with a decision-making authority isn't there. However, that is okay, as there are thousands of businesses within forty minutes of me and each location that says yes is worth fifty dollars up to one thousand dollars or more to me. Thus, even if I only get five or ten good locations per day (and a large number of "no's" to go with them), it is still well worth my time to find locations."

Profits and sales depend much on the location, where soda/snack or candy machines are placed. Several possibilities are listed in Krug's book Vending Business-in-a-Box. The types of the location should be:
•Next to the entrance
•Near to the exit
•Next to the water fountain
•In front of the restroom
•In the break room
•By the coffee maker
•Next to the other vending machines
•By the receptionist
•Next to the cash register
•Next to the listening station at a music store
•Next to the change machine
•In the waiting area (e.g. at oil change places).

Candy machines are one of the most popular ones and can be described as 'mechanical machines that vend a handful of candy, a bouncy ball, or perhaps a capsule with a small toy or jewelry, for one or two coins.' In comparison with soda or snack machines, bulk candy machines are quite inexpensive. Furthermore, they offer gross margins. You can purchase gumballs, for instance, in bulk for two cents a piece and then sell for twenty five cents. In order to place candy machines for free, many operators donate a percentage of the profits to charity.

Cans or bottles of soda and/or small packages of snacks are soled in soda and snack machines. They are full line vending machines. Many locations need such machines and they even request the installation of a machine from a vending company. This is surely a great advantage for soda and snack machines operators. Many companies also realize that moving these machines is rather difficult. As a result, soda and snack machines are less likely to request a removal, unless an operator does a poor job of servicing the machine.

Candy machines are very good promotional tools, but how candy machines can promote your company? Candy is one of the easiest things in the world to give away. Everyone seems to want some; hence, printing your logo on each delicious bite can be a good marketing plan. You can place a candy machine in front of your office or put some candy filled tins on the front counter of your office. Remember that candy and snacks are always a welcome way of promoting your company.