vending machines can cost up to $25,000 each and you must also find a good location with lots of foot traffic to be successful. unfortunately, over 95 percent of people who get into this business fail within the first 5 years according to the small business administration. owners of vending machines must often wait nine or ten years before they can breakeven with their original investment. this is a good example of what? a laugable thought: if you buy a $25,000 vending machine how many snickers bars or bags of potato chips will you need to sell just to breakeven?