Shabaz Khan, a 31-year-old from Kilmarnock, Scotland, has turned a simple vending machine investment into a lucrative side business generating £43,000 in annual revenue. Concerned about the rising cost of living, Khan began exploring ways to supplement his income in 2023 and spent eight months researching the vending machine industry.
From one machine to six
In April 2023, Khan purchased his first refurbished vending machine for £2,400 and spent an additional £400 on stock to launch SnackZone Vending. Within the first month, he generated £854 in sales and quickly reinvested the profits to acquire five more machines. His first machine alone brought in over £10,000 in revenue during its first year.
Impressive profit margins
Now operating six machines, Khan expects his business to deliver approximately £20,000 in profit on £43,000 revenue after a full year. Despite this success, he has no plans to leave his full-time job at a charity and reinvests all earnings back into the enterprise.
Khan spends just four to five hours per week on the venture, filling machines before work, during lunch, or after work. Each refill takes less than 10 minutes. He recouped his initial investment of around £3,500 within 10 months.
Learning curve and future plans
Khan admits there was a steep learning curve, especially in managing stock and understanding customer preferences. He currently has machines placed in care homes and other locations, with plans to expand to two more sites soon. His ultimate goal is growth rather than immediate profit, driven by the challenge of building something new.
