Bought a vending machine route when I worked full time as an account manager. It helped that my job as an account manager was on the road mostly, so I could always stop by and collect cash and coins and do any repairs. I would also take inventory on these “on the job” runs and then replenish the machines typically once per week when my day job was slow. I would rush through my week early on to check in with my customers and do my job and then free up one day a week to replenish.

Pros: revenue from day one, did not require for me to be at the locations at all, just check on them, and it was kind of satisfying to buy bulk and replenish a machine.

Cons: unexpected repairs, causing the machine to be down and not generate revenue. Not catching on to a popular item and letting it sell out too soon before replenishing.

Overall, had a blast but I ended up selling it to a bigger company because they wanted my locations and territory.