Guides for property managers

Where to put vending machines in a multi-floor office building

Snack vending machine suited to a shared office building break area

In a single-story office, the machine goes in the breakroom and that's the end of the conversation. In a multi-floor building with several tenants, where it goes decides whether people use it.

Start with where people already walk

The best spot is one people pass without making a special trip. In most office buildings that means near the elevators, next to the restrooms, or on the path between the parking entrance and the suites. A machine tucked into a basement storage hallway will be forgotten, no matter how well it's stocked.

The common options

Shared breakroom or tenant lounge. The best choice when the building has one. There's seating, people linger, and it's already where food happens.
Ground-floor lobby or elevator lobby. The most traffic in the building. Works well if there's an alcove so the machine isn't the first thing visitors see.
A mid-building floor. In taller buildings, a second location partway up saves the upper floors an elevator trip.
Inside a large tenant's suite. A tenant with enough staff can support its own machine in its own breakroom.

What the spot needs

The requirements are short. Each machine needs a standard grounded outlet within reach, a level floor, a few inches of clearance behind it for airflow, and room in front for the door to swing open when we restock. The route in matters too. We check doorways, elevator size, and any tight corners before delivery day so there are no surprises.

How many machines

Start with fewer than you think. One well-placed combo machine, or a snack and beverage pair in a single location, is the right opening move for most buildings. Sales data tells us quickly whether the building can support a second location. Starting small and adding is better than spreading thin and having three machines that each look half empty.

After-hours access

If part of the building works late, such as a call center, a medical tenant, or cleaning crews, put the machine somewhere that stays unlocked after 6 p.m. A machine behind a door that locks at the end of the business day misses the people who need it most.

Frequently asked questions

How much floor space does a machine need?

Roughly the footprint of a large refrigerator, plus room in front for the door to open during restocking. We confirm exact dimensions for your space before install.

Does a vending machine need special wiring?

No. A standard grounded outlet is all it needs.

Can we start with one machine and add more later?

Yes, and that's what we recommend. Sales data from the first machine shows whether a second location makes sense.

Will a machine fit in our elevator?

In nearly all commercial buildings, yes. We check the delivery path, including doorways and elevator dimensions, before scheduling the install.