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Gable Asset Finance specialises in bespoke funding solutions for businesses operating in the UK vending machine sector. Whether you run a single machine in a staffed office, a growing route business servicing multiple locations, a hospitality group adding machines to outlets, or a technology-led start-up deploying smart vending networks, we design finance packages that let you grow quickly without draining working capital.
This page explains the vending market opportunity in the UK, the equipment types you might buy, and detailed finance options — hire purchase, operating and finance leasing, asset loans, refinance, sale & leaseback and blended funding. We also cover tax & VAT considerations, maintenance and insurance, lender expectations, case studies and a practical application checklist so you can move from enquiry to funding with confidence.
The UK vending industry has evolved beyond coin-operated snack machines. Modern vending combines cashless payments, telemetry, robotics, fresh and chilled product capability, coffee-on-demand and digital signage — and it benefits from several strong market drivers:
For entrepreneurs and established businesses alike, the ability to install machines quickly and scale without large capital expenditure is a core reason to consider financing rather than buying outright.
Understanding the machine types helps match the right finance product to the asset life, resale value and revenue model.
Traditional high-volume units for crisps, confectionery, chilled drinks and water. Common in offices, factories, railway stations and leisure centres.
Temperature-controlled units for sandwiches, salads, dairy and fresh snacks. Used in hospitals, universities, and commuter hubs — higher CapEx but higher margins.
Specialist units that deliver coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Can be automated bean-to-cup or capsule-based systems for workplace and retail environments.
Machines dispensing electronics, PPE, cosmetics, phone chargers, beauty products and even clothing items. Favoured in airports, train stations and event venues.
Equipped with remote monitoring (stock, temperature, payments) and cashless payments. Telemetry improves route planning and reduces downtime.
Bulk snack dispensers, capsule toy machines, and machines for promotional or seasonal products. Often lower cost per unit, easier to deploy in multiples.
Below we outline the most common finance products used by UK vending operators, the mechanics of each product and when each is most appropriate.
How it works: The lender purchases the machine and hires it to you. You make fixed monthly payments and own the machine once the final payment is made (subject to option to purchase).
Best for: Operators who want ownership and capital allowances. Typical HP terms for vending machines range from 24 to 60 months depending on age and type.
Benefits: Predictable payments, ownership at term end, straightforward accounting.
How it works: The funder retains legal ownership while you pay rentals related to the machine’s cost. At the end there is usually an option to buy at a pre-agreed residual sum.
Best for: Businesses wanting long-term use but not immediate ownership. Often used where tax or accounting treatment is a consideration.
How it works: You rent the machine for a fixed term and return it at the end. The funder handles residual value risk and often remarketing, making upgrades simple.
Best for: Businesses that need the latest technology, want low monthly costs and prefer not to own the asset.
How it works: A loan is advanced to purchase the machines outright. You own the machines from day one and make repayments to the lender.
Best for: Businesses that prefer ownership and have strong balance sheets. Loans can be secured or unsecured depending on size and credit strength.
How it works: If you already own machines, you sell them to a funder and lease them back. This releases capital while keeping them in operation.
Best for: Operators with assets on the balance sheet who want to free up working capital without disrupting operations.
How it works: For operators with predictable electronic payment streams, some lenders offer facilities where repayments are linked to card takings or machine revenue. These can be structured as a percentage of takings or as a blended repayment.
Best for: New locations or smaller operators that want flexibility to match payments with sales volumes.
For multi-location rollouts or technology-enabled networks (smart vending), blended structures combine HP, leasing, working capital lines and sometimes grant funding for sustainability features. Project finance can be used for larger deployments with identifiable income streams.
Choosing depends on your business goals, tax position, upgrade requirements and cashflow profile. Key decision factors include:
Typical commercial expectations for vending finance in the UK:
Tax treatment is important and you should consult your accountant. Typical points:
Lenders care about upkeep because well-maintained machines preserve value and revenue. Consider including:
Preparing a strong application speeds approval. Lenders typically request:
Background: A route operator with 45 machines won new contracts and needed 30 additional units to fulfil sites quickly.
Solution: Gable Asset Finance arranged a blended package: hire purchase for premium coffee and chilled units, and an operating lease for low-cost snack machines to allow easier upgrades. The deal included telemetry hardware financed alongside the machines.
Outcome: The operator expanded with zero cash deposit, increased monthly revenue by 38% and used telemetry to reduce restock visits by 22%.
Background: A university wanted vending and micro-market kiosks across three campuses to provide 24/7 snacks and fresh food to students.
Solution: We structured a development-style facility combining a short-term loan for initial installation and operating leases for the kiosks. A P&L forecast and concession agreement with the university underpinned the finance.
Outcome: Deployment completed in phases; the project was cashflow positive in month four and enabled the operator to pilot new product ranges.
Background: A boutique coffee brand wanted to deploy unattended bean-to-cup machines in office blocks and co-working spaces.
Solution: Hire purchase with seasonal payment alignment and a maintenance agreement. Units were financed alongside a stock facility to ensure initial consumables were available.
Outcome: The brand scaled to 15 sites within six months and used predictable HP repayments to manage margins during rollout.
Yes. Lenders will assess the business plan, projected revenues and the founder’s experience. For new routes, merchant-linked finance or higher deposit options are common. Specialist start-up lenders and some dealer finance packages support first-time operators.
While not mandatory, telemetry and cashless payment capability significantly strengthen applications because they deliver reliable income reporting and reduce revenue leakage. Some lenders offer preferential terms for telemetry-enabled machines.
Simple HP or lease deals can complete in under two weeks. More complex multi-site or blended funding typically takes 3–6 weeks depending on documentation and legal requirements.
Yes. Full-service leasing and some HP deals bundle maintenance. This makes budgeting easier and improves machine uptime.
Options commonly include purchasing the machine (HP), returning or upgrading it (operating lease), or refinancing to extend ownership. Gable will advise on the commercial and tax implications.
Contact Gable Asset Finance for a free, confidential discussion. Tell us how many machines you need, the types of units, locations and anticipated revenue per site — we’ll provide an initial funding plan and indicative costs.
© Gable Asset Finance — specialist finance for UK vending operators, retailers and technology providers.
Gable Asset Finance can arrange business finance and leasing to fund new and used Vending Machines in the UK. We can offer business finance and leasing options for:-
We can arrange business finance and leasing for all kinds of vending machines ; energy efficient snack vending machines to food vending machines to hot drinks vending machines including:-
Gable Asset Finance can arrange business finance and leasing solutions on new and used vending machines. From drink vending machines, snack vending machines, to combo vending machines. Please call us today so we may organise a competitive quotation.