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How to Start an ATM Business: A Guide for ATM Beginners

How to Start an ATM Business

Contents

  1. How it Works
  2. Paperwork and Documentation
  3. Choosing Equipment
  4. Determining Surcharge Fee
  5. Cash Needs and Vaulting
  6. Programming and Installation
  7. Setting Up a Business Bank Account
  8. Finding and Negotiating a Location
  9. Ownership and Responsibilities
  10. Revenue and Costs
  11. Other Opportunities in the ATM Business
  12. How to Start an ATM Business Startup Checklist
  13. Glossary

1. How it Works

Benefits of Becoming an IAD

An independent ATM deployer (IAD) is someone who owns and operates at least one ATM machine. If you want to start an ATM business, IAD is the most lucrative position. In the simplest terms, as an IAD, you purchase an ATM machine, install it in a busy location, keep it functioning, and earn passive income from surcharge fees.

There are many benefits if you want to start an ATM business. First of all, you are your own boss. That means that you can set your own hours, control your own income, and outsource any parts of the business you don’t want to handle. 

Additionally, an ATM business has a relatively simple business model. It requires a comparably low initial investment, you make passive income, and you can easily scale the business by placing more machines. 

As an IAD, you make money every time someone uses your machine. Your return on investment (ROI) can happen in as quick as a few months depending on the location. You can monitor all activity remotely. And, there is an increasing need for ATM services. 

Making Money

As an IAD, you can expect to make an annualized return of 35% – 70% or more. Remember, you make money every time someone uses your machine to withdraw cash from their checking, savings, or other accounts. At, say, $3 per transaction, a location that sees 5 transactions a day can expect to make about $450 a month. 

And that’s just from one machine. Once you get familiar with the process, you can scale your business and add more machines to your route. A few machines create good supplemental income; 12 – 24 machines would be considered a full-time ATM business that only requires 10 or so hours of your time a week.

In just a few steps, you can learn how to start an ATM business. Before you can operate an ATM machine, you need to find a processor, ISO, or sub-ISO; a location, a bank, and a machine. In the upcoming sections, we’ll explain everything.  

2. Paperwork and Documentation

If you want to start an ATM business, you need to find an ATM processor. You can purchase an ATM machine from anywhere; but without a processing company, your machine won’t be able to communicate to the card networks and therefore will not work. You can find an ATM processor that also sells machines, or you can purchase a machine elsewhere and then find a processor to work with.

This processing company will help make sure your ATM machine is registered, legal, and compliant. This will require some paperwork. Here, we’ll tell you what to expect so that you’re prepared. This will alleviate some stress and make sure your business gets set up quickly and smoothly.

Verify Your Identity

The process for setting up an ATM business is similar to opening a bank account in the sense that you have to verify your identity. You will have to provide the ATM processor with a copy of your driver’s license, and you’ll have to pass a background check. 

The background check is mostly to make sure you haven’t been convicted of a felony or a financial crime. If so, you won’t be able to legally operate an ATM business. However, keep in mind that you can still register the business under a friend, family member, or business partner.

Equipment Order Form

You will also need to complete an equipment order. Often it’s a form on an online purchase.

Bank Account

You will need an ATM business bank account for cash that goes into the ATM and for the ATM processor to put the money back into. 

It can be tricky to find a bank, but we explain this at length in another article. If you want to learn about the best banks for the ATM business, read here

Once you have an ATM business bank account established, you can complete the ACH form and submit a voided check for your ATM processing so you can set up the ATM you purchased.

Other Forms

There is an ATM application form known as an ATM Operator Agreement. If you plan to operate ATMs in 3rd party retail locations, you’ll need to complete the IAD Operator Agreement .The agreements are the legal contracts between you and the ATM processor that list the rights and obligations of you as the IAD and ATM owner and those of the ATM processor.

The ATM processor is responsible for enabling transactions, moving funds, and providing you with remote online access to your ATM machine and its activity. This contract also confirms the details of your payment schedule.

And, as with any other income source, you will need to complete a W-9 form to report residuals for tax purposes.

A placement agreement, or site location agreement (SLA), is the contract between you and the merchant or owner of the location where you will place your ATM machine. It typically outlines the responsibilities of each party and the revenue split if applicable. You can work with a lawyer to draft this contract or use our customizable template in our member area.

3. Choosing Equipment

There are three types (smallest to largest) of ATM machines you want to check out: wall mount, free standing, and through-the-wall (TTW). The type you want will more than likely depend on how much space you have available to place the machine and how busy the location is. For example, since a wall mount ATM is smaller than a free standing ATM, it will hold less cash. 

ATM Manufacturers and Recommendations

Free standing machines can be installed anywhere there is a power supply which makes placement a little more convenient than TTW. The bulky part (the interface) of a TTW ATM extends from the front of the ATM (the chassis) which fits into or through the wall protruding into the next room. This can require some construction, but it is highly secure and can facilitate 24-hour access when facing outdoors.

The most well-known and trusted ATM manufacturers are Hyosung, Genmega, and Triton. Triton is the only ATM made in the USA.

If you have limited floor space, the Genmega Onyx-W is a space-saving option that can be mounted to a counter-top or vertical surface. Additionally, the free standing Hyosung Halo II (Hyosung Halo 2) is a very popular model that has a proven track record for longevity and few problems

The through-the-wall Genmega GT3000 is compact and weather-resistant. It’s a great option for outdoor space or where space is limited. The G2500 is comparable to the Halo II and is the latest option for a brand-new Genmega ATM machine. A little bit lower in cost, it’s our second most popular machine after the Halo II.

New vs. Refurbished

It doesn’t really matter whether you buy a new or refurbished ATM machine. The five main differences are lifespan, technology, usability, compliance, and total cost of ownership (TCO). You will need to find the right balance between these factors to choose the ATM that’s right for you.

For a first time ATM buyer, we recommend a new machine. Each new model becomes more user-friendly which can be helpful for someone just learning the mechanics of an ATM machine. Plus, new ATMs can be shipped pre-programmed, meaning they are ready to use upon arrival.

But there is nothing wrong with purchasing a refurbished machine. It can, however, limit your options as not all models will be available. So weigh your feature “wishlist” against your budget, and see what models and deals your ATM processing company can offer.

Most importantly, make sure that any used or refurbished machine you purchase is certified refurbished. A certified refurbishment should include specific standards checks, detailing, and upgrades, replaced decals, the newest software, and updated security. Otherwise, you risk spending any money you saved up front on repairs and maintenance costs down the line.

Also be careful not to purchase a discontinued model. Some heavily discounted machines can be so outdated that they no longer meet legal requirements or process transactions.

4. Determining Surcharge Fee and Additional Percentage Charges

The surcharge fee is the cornerstone of how to start an ATM business. It’s the fee that users pay for the convenience of accessing their accounts from your machine and serves as the primary source of your revenue. Surcharge fees can range from $1-$8, with a standard fee hovering around $3.

However, there’s another avenue for maximizing your revenue: charging an additional percentage on top of the surcharge fee. This allows you to charge more for higher cash withdrawals made by the customer. Popular percentage options range from 1.5% to 2%, with 1.75% being the industry average.

By implementing this strategy, you can raise the maximum amount that can be charged to at least $200-$300 or higher. Keep in mind that this approach may require more capital to ensure sufficient cash availability in the machine.

Balancing Competitiveness and Profit
When determining the surcharge fee and additional percentage, it’s crucial to strike a balance between competitiveness and profitability. You want your surcharge to be high enough to achieve a quick return on investment (ROI) but not so high that you deter potential customers.

Location-Specific Considerations
The right surcharge fee and additional percentage will depend heavily on the location. ATMs situated in event spaces, casinos, bars, and other high-traffic areas can command a higher surcharge and percentage. Conversely, ATMs in low-income areas should have a lower surcharge and percentage to better serve the local demographic.

Revenue Share with Location Owner
Another important consideration is your revenue-sharing agreement with the location owner. Your Service Level Agreement (SLA) should specify how much of the surcharge fee—and potentially the additional percentage—goes to the location owner. This is crucial for calculating how long it will take to reach your ROI.

Collaborate with Merchants
The location owner may also have insights into what would be a fair, competitive surcharge and percentage to charge their patrons. Collaborating with the merchant can help you set a fee structure that benefits both parties.

5. Cash Needs and Vaulting

Cassette Types

The amount of cash your machine will hold depends on the cassette you select. One cassette can hold from 700 notes to 2,000 notes, and the number of cassettes a machine can accommodate will vary. There are fixed cassettes and removable cassettes. 

Fixed cassettes must be refilled in place. Removable cassettes can be refilled in an alternate, secure location. Additionally, a multi-cassette dispenser gives you the option for more than one denomination.

Don’t worry about this too much when you are getting started. You can just use the cassette your machine comes with.

Denomination Options

The standard denomination for an ATM machine is 20s. It’s common, easy to obtain, and facilitates most withdrawal amounts (the national average being $80). However, if your ATM machine is located in a low-income neighborhood or by a laundromat or carwash, 5s or 10s might be more convenient for your customers’ particular needs.

Vault Cash

You can’t start an ATM business without vault cash. Load your machine with about $2,000-$3,000 in cash at first. Then monitor the activity to see if you need more or less to facilitate withdrawals in between vaulting. You can use your own money to vault the machine. (You can use less than $2,000 if that’s all you have and just refill the machine more frequently.) 

Factor this into your startup costs, and your ATM processing company will add the total withdrawal amount back to your account via ACH. When the machine runs low on cash, withdraw it from your ATM business bank account and load it again.

Alternatively, you can delegate vaulting to the location owner who could use funds from the store’s business account. This extra responsibility for the merchant might cost you a bigger share of the ATM revenue, though.

You can also hire a third party vaulting company to handle your cash needs. This is the most expensive option but can help you avoid vaulting hassles.

Vaulting frequency depends on how much cash you load and how much activity your ATM sees. Use real-time online ATM monitoring to identify trends such as withdrawal amounts and high-usage days (paydays, weekends, holidays…). Then you will be better able to predict how much cash to load and when. 

Although you’ll eventually be able to single out the best days to load cash, if you do the vaulting yourself, try to keep an irregular schedule. You don’t want someone to be able to predict when you and the cash will be vulnerable.

6. Programming and Installation

If you want to know how to start an ATM business, you need to know how an ATM works to some extent. However, there are many resources available to help.

Programming

Some ISOs, sub-ISOs and ATM resellers offer to have the ATM pre-programmed at the factory for a nominal fee. This makes it especially easy to just bolt it down, plug it in and use it when it arrives. 

You can opt to do the programming yourself using videos and instruction manuals and help from your ATM provider. You can also see if your ATM processing company offers call-in assistance where you can work with someone over the phone if you have questions during the process. Or, of course, you can hire a professional technician to handle the process for you.

If you opt for the latter, make sure you are present and take notes or ask if you can record the process. That way you can do it yourself a little easier the next time if you want to. 

Programming the machine involves setting up the home screen and distinguishing the denomination(s) to be dispensed. (If you ever want to change the denomination, you need to let your ATM company know.) 

The machine can be programmed after it arrives at the location. Or, you can pay to have it pre-programmed before the ATM company ships it. Many ATM providers require the ATM programming and master keys to be completed by a professional field technician. Otherwise, you can inquire about call-in or scheduled programming.

Installation

You can also install the ATM machine yourself or hire a professional. First, you need to make sure the space is ADA compliant. This means that people with disabilities should have equal access to the public service of your ATM machine. This is not just your responsibility but also the responsibility of the merchant. 

For example, the reachable buttons on a mounted machine cannot be higher than 48” from the ground so anyone can reach all controls. And to ensure wheelchair access, the minimum clear floor or ground space required is 30 x 48 inches (10 sq. ft.). So it is the responsibility of the merchant to ensure that this space remains clear rather than obscured by inventory or other furniture.

You will also need a power supply. Look for 110/115v 15a outlets that aren’t dedicated to other major appliances. Try to avoid glass doors and windows, too, to minimize break-in and theft temptations.

When installing the machine to the floor, it’s best to bolt it down on a flat, level surface to prevent damage and theft. You will need some equipment such as a center punch, hammer drill, concrete bit, and red head anchors. Wall mount ATM machines should come with all necessary mounting equipment.

Finally, you’ll want to connect your ATM machine to a wireless communication device. Having control of your own wireless communication device ensures that you never have to worry about dealing with the location’s ISP. This gives you more control and reliable service.

7. Setting Up a Business Bank Account

To start an ATM business, like any other business, you will need a business bank account. This can be tricky for an ATM business, unfortunately, because the cash-heavy nature poses certain money laundering risks for financial institutions. However, there are some best practices you can utilize to help find a bank to work with you.

Be a Profitable Customer

First, prove to the bank that you are worth their time. Banks make money off of customers’ account balances. This is the money that banks invest in loans and other opportunities that earn them interest payments; very little of customers’ account balances are actually held at the bank as cash. 

As you know, your ATM business bank account will frequently have a low balance because you will regularly withdraw it to vault your machine. So, to make up for this, offer to move or purchase other products. For example, start a line of credit, move loans, and/or open other accounts. This is the type of customer that banks profit from; this is the kind of customer you want to be.

Be Honest

Second, be open and honest with the bank. Start where you already have strong relationships, whether it’s at a tier 1 financial institution or a local, regional, or community bank. Both have their pros and cons. 

Tier 1 financial institutions are subject to more scrutiny and audits on ATM business accounts, so if you aren’t able to make yourself worth their time, they might turn you down. Smaller banks, on the other hand, might not be able to accommodate your cash or staffing needs. The only way to know whether a bank can or will work with you is if you let them know exactly what your banking needs are up front. 

Be Respectful

Finally, be respectful, polite, patient, and understanding. Banks are not obligated to take you on as a customer. Each account is a strategic business decision for them. If you are denied, the bank has its reasons. It’s not personal. It might just depend on the experiences they’ve had with ATM business bank accounts in the past. So respectfully move on.

Once you do find a bank to open your ATM business bank account, be sure to show your appreciation. ATM business accounts require a lot of work. Treat the bankers kindly, bring gifts, build relationships. Be a customer they want to keep around. 

There will be lots of documentation the bank will request to open your ATM business bank account. Be organized, prompt, and patient. Jump through whatever hoops you need to with a smile on your face. After all, the bank is doing you a favor.

8. Finding and Negotiating a Location

Finding a location to place an ATM machine can be a daunting task for some people learning how to start an ATM business because it requires some degree of negotiation. Unless you know someone with a business or starting a business where they will want an ATM on site, you will have to find potentially lucrative locations and convince the merchant to work with you. 

Some ATM vendors also offer locations via their website inquiry system, like ATMDepot.com. We receive requests for placements and work with our nationwide IAD network to fulfill the requests. Some vendors sell locations, some partner with their IADs, and some vendors offer location finder services. 

The cheapest way to get locations is with good old pounding the pavement. Go out, meet people, talk to them, tell them you’re giving out free ATMs, and strike up a conversation. There are many strategies you can employ to simplify this process.

The Best Locations

It’s a good idea to start where you are already a regular customer. You already know the business well and maybe even some of the employees. You can use this existing relationship to help you negotiate a placement. However, your ATM machine will only be profitable for you and the location if people use it. So more than looking at familiar places, you’ll want to find gaps in the market.

The best ATM locations are places where people need access to cash. Cash-only businesses (especially cannabis dispensaries); nail salons, barbershops, tattoo shops, and similar services where tipping is expected; new businesses not already approached; and locations that have liquor licenses are good places to start. 

Think of places in your city that experience high foot traffic. Then, scope out the area and see if you can find gaps in ATM access. This doesn’t necessarily mean places where there aren’t already ATM machines. Places where ATMs are old, worn, or out-of-order are good opportunities as well. 

If you see an ATM in one of these conditions, inquire with the location about their satisfaction with their ATM. Maybe they own it and are tired of the required upkeep. Or maybe their current IAD is unreliable and they’d be interested in changing partners. You can always add the prospect of a shiny, new ATM on the premises as a selling point. 

Negotiation Tips

Your number one goal when approaching locations for ATM placement is to get in touch with a decision maker, whether that’s a manager or the owner. You want to speak to or meet with someone who has the authority to approve ATM placement at that location. With these tips, you should have no problem starting an ATM business.

Make an Appointment

Whether you cold call or arrive in person for the first contact, make sure you end up with an appointment with or contact information for the person in charge. Then, the negotiating can begin. Although cold calling is a tried and true method of contacting leads with your offer, appearing in person can be more successful for a couple of reasons. 

Do Your Research

If you check out the location in person, you can get a better idea of the layout of the store and what business looks like at that location. This will be valuable information for you to refer to in your negotiations. For example, you can identify prime locations for an ATM machine and point out opportunities for the location to bring in more foot traffic and sales.

Leave Something Behind

Second, you can leave information behind. Whether it’s an ATM business card or an ATM business flier, leaving behind something tangible can help make sure that your offer doesn’t get overlooked. It also gives the decision-maker some information before calling you back; that way neither their time or yours is wasted. 

Offer Value

When you get a meeting, emphasize the benefits the location will experience from having an ATM on the premises. For example, it offers a convenient service for customers, can bring in new customers, and encourages cash transactions which save money on credit card transaction fees at the counter.

Offer value, listen to the objections your prospect might have, address them, and give them time to think. Leave information behind along with your contact information. If nothing else, maybe he or she knows someone interested in your offer.

Borrow Authority

It can be especially difficult to get your first placement without a portfolio under your belt. Just align yourself with your ATM provider using their name and credibility to back you up. Explain that you work with a reputable ATM company and therefore are serious and committed to providing reliable service.

Emphasize that as it is your first placement, you are particularly committed to creating a positive experience. After all, all future placements will rely heavily on your performance at this first location. You can also add that without other machines to manage, you are able to devote more time and attention to this initial placement.

If approaching location owners still makes you nervous, you can use scripts to help you know exactly what to say. As an ATMDepot.com member, you can use ours!

9. Ownership and Responsibilities

Once you secure a location, you are ready to start an ATM business. You now have a place to deliver, program, and install your machine for use. All that’s left is documenting the final details: ownership and responsibilities.

Site Location Agreement (SLA)

If you place your ATM machine in a location owned by someone else, you will need a site location agreement (SLA). This is the legal and binding documentation of the location owner’s approval to place your ATM in his or her store. This is also the contract that documents each party’s responsibilities.

For example, you will want a clause that clearly outlines ADA requirements, one that clarifies who is responsible for vaulting the machine, and one that defines the revenue share. The location owner might want a share of the surcharge revenue as a condition of allowing your ATM placement. This could be a percentage, a set amount, or even only after you make your ROI. 

Ownership and Responsibilities

Other processes and responsibilities include making sure the machine is clean and operable. You don’t make money if your machine isn’t working. And you don’t want to develop a reputation for being unreliable if your machine is frequently out of order. 

So someone needs to handle any error codes. These could result from jams, low cash, low receipt paper, or other maintenance issues. You also want to make sure the ATM and the area around it remain clean so that customers feel comfortable using it. 

You retain ownership of the ATM machine, even if you place it in someone else’s store, and even if you split the revenue. Your name is associated with the ATM machine and your ATM business. Any responsibilities you wish to delegate will be indicated on the associated contracts that detail the agreements.

Whatever terms you and the location owner agree upon regarding ATM operation should be documented in the SLA. You can work with a lawyer to create a personalized contract or agreement, or you can use one of our templates on ATMDepot.com if you are a member.

10. Revenue and Costs

Revenue is the money that your ATM machine brings in the form of transaction fees and advertising. Profit is what is left over after you earn back your initial investment and subtract any costs associated with operating your ATM business.

The point of learning how to start an ATM business is to make money. So how much can you make?

Surcharge Fees

The surcharge fee is the convenience fee ATM users pay for access to their bank accounts and cash. This is your number one source of revenue. You want to make your ROI as quickly as possible so that you can start to profit as soon as possible. So you might want to work backwards.

For instance, if your initial investment is $5,000 (ATM equipment + vault cash + other costs), it would take about 4-5 $3 transactions a day to make that back in a year (assuming the location is open 7 days a week). So determine a goal and work from that. 

Keep in mind that the money you put in the ATM is not really invested. Those funds are either in the ATM, in the bank, or on their way back to the bank. While that money is tied up, you can liquidate it or use it if needed in an emergency. So, only use your hard costs to calculate your ROI for each location.

Monitor the activity the first few months, too, and adjust as necessary. Because 6-7 transactions at $2.50 earns you more than 4-5 transactions at $3. So if you can increase your ATM traffic by setting a lower surcharge fee, that might work out in your favor in the long run. Then, you can always increase the surcharge fee after you make your ROI.

So if you want to make thousands of dollars, you will need more than one machine. One machine is plenty to start with to learn the ins and outs of the business. One machine can generate some extra passive income to help supplement your regular salary or fund a savings account or large purchase. But if you want to rely on ATM business income, plan to scale your business.

Ad Space

If the merchant is in agreement (you will want to cover this in your SLA), you can sell ad space to local businesses to display on your ATM screen. Your ATM can be programmed to display carousel (or rotating) ads on the welcome screen or transaction screen, whether it’s for your own ATM business, the location itself, or other local, small businesses. This can be a great extra source of revenue.

Costs

When you start an ATM business, there are some costs you’ll need to consider. So how much will you be subtracting from your revenue in the form of business costs? First, consider your initial investment, then look at regular costs you will need to factor into your income.

One-Time Costs

ATM equipment will be your biggest cost. ATM machines can range between $1,300 and $8,000 depending on size and age. However, you should realistically expect to pay about $2,200-$3,000 for the machine itself. 

Some costs you can avoid by putting in the work yourself. It just depends on your budget, time, and savvy. For example, ATM programming, installation, and custom screens can be done by you or a professional for a price.

You might want to factor in vault cash or not; that’s up to you. This is still your money at the end of the day, but it’s money that’s tied up in your ATM business operation that you won’t be able to use for anything else. 

Many new IADs start by purchasing an ATM on a credit card that offers 12 – 18 months interest free financing. This is a great way to reduce the one-time out of pocket costs and spread them out over time paying them from the surcharge revenue.

Additional Costs

You can get an ATM machine as it comes, or you can pay for extra features and upgrades like a topper, removable or multiple cassettes, eLock, etc. You also want to purchase a wireless device and service so that you don’t have to rely on the location’s ISP. 

Except for the wireless device, these are “nice-to-haves” that can be purchased later after you start making money. A wireless device is practically a necessity. If you use the merchant’s ISP and have even one communication issue that puts you out of business for a few days, you lose more than what having a wireless device costs.

You might also want to look into an ATM business insurance policy. It isn’t legally required, but it can provide you with some peace of mind knowing that you are covered in the case of an accident. You can purchase insurance at any time, and you can always adjust your policy. As you start making more money, you might spring for more coverage.

General liability is enough to start. General liability insurance is designed to protect your assets. It’s the most common and most important policy business owners purchase. It typically covers bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, and legal defense. You can expect to spend about $400-$700 a year for $1 million in general liability coverage.

General liability insurance, however, won’t cover your machine or the cash inside. So if you want more than general liability coverage, you will need to look for a more specialized insurance policy. Typically a policy to cover ATMs has a minimum of $2,500 per year, so it wouldn’t be worthwhile until you have a few ATMs to cover.

Regular Costs

Insurance premium and wireless service will be regular costs if you opt for them. But there are some costs that you can’t avoid. 

When looking for potential placement locations, consider transportation costs. If a location is farther than you normally travel or is out of the way of where you live or work, then transportation to and from the machine will technically cost your ATM business.

You will also have to regularly purchase receipt paper for your machine and any cleaning supplies necessary for keeping your ATM approachable and workable.

It’s a good idea to set a little money aside each month for maintenance costs. Hopefully you won’t regularly have to pay to handle maintenance or technical issues, but these things are unpredictable. So having some money set aside for this can put your mind at ease and make sure you are able to get back in business as soon as possible!

Finally, you might have placement costs. If your location does not require a share of the surcharge revenue, then it’s all yours! But you might need to factor in revenue share as a regular cost of your business. Or, you might have found a space to lease to place your machine. Factor in this rent cost when determining how much you need to charge to make a decent profit.

11. Other Opportunities in the ATM Business

Just because you want to start an ATM business does not mean you have to be an IAD. There are lots of other ways to make money in the ATM business.

For example, you can be an ATM site locator. This is someone who negotiates with location owners on behalf of ATM owners. So someone who wants to own and operate an ATM machine but doesn’t want to put in the effort of finding a location can hire a site locator.

A site locator typically does not own any machines but matches locations and ATM owners. In exchange, an ATM site locator can request a flat rate or negotiate for a share of the surcharge from the ATM owner. Keep in mind, you could potentially be a site locator as well as an IAD if you wanted to make extra money without managing more machines.

You could be an ATM vendor, or salesperson. There are business owners who want an ATM machine on site and want to operate it themselves rather than working with an IAD. You would explain ATM options and add your commission rate to the cost of the equipment.

You can also be an ATM vaulter. If you have access to cash you can partner with ATM providers to offer cash vaulting services. You travel to each ATM and make sure it’s stocked with cash. You could charge a flat rate or create a fee schedule based on distance and travel time.

12. How to Start an ATM Business Startup Checklist

To summarize, these are the steps involved in how to start an ATM business and the things you need.

1. Find

  • ATM processing company
  • Bank
  • Location
  • Equipment

2. Complete

  • Background Check
  • Documentation and Paperwork
  • SLA and Other Contracts

3. Do

  • Programming
  • Installation
  • Vaulting

4. Start Making Money

5. Scale Your Business

While we won’t say that owning an ATM business is easy, we will say that it is relatively simple. There is a set number of steps involved in getting started, minimal startup costs, and lots of industry professionals with years of experience you can draw upon.

Each ATM business looks different. It’s completely customizable. Do what works for you. Your business will be the most successful if you are happy with it, partner with the right people, and put in the work. After that, let your business work for you.

If you still have questions, contact us at ATMDepot.com today! Want more info or ready to start your ATM Business side hustle? Download our free quick start guide now.

13. Glossary

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – A 1990 civil rights law that gives people with disabilities equal access to public services by mandating certain accommodations.

ATM Owner – The individual, group of individuals, or company that purchases an ATM machine, operates it, and receives the majority of the profits made through the machine.

Cassette – The box in an ATM machine that holds a specific denomination of cash.

Certified Refurbished – Used machines that have been cleaned, fixed, retrofitted with the newest software upgrades, and furnished with replacement decals, making it nicer than just a machine categorized as “used,” before being sold.

Cold Call – An unsolicited call to a lead you’ve never had contact with before in order to convince him or her to buy into a product or service.

E-lock – An electronic lock operated by an electric current.

Independent ATM Deployer (IAD) – An individual, group of individuals, or company that invests money in an ATM to generate income.

ISO – Independent Sales Organization; a third-party company that sells credit card processing services independently from a bank or financial firm to a business that wants to accept credit card payments.

Master Keys – Sets of binary numbers used by the ATM owner to access and program the ATM machine.

Placement – Arrangement where an ATM company or IAD places an ATM in a location and owns and operates all aspects of the ATM machine. The location owner receives a small percentage of the revenue generated from the ATM in return for letting the IAD place the ATM at the location.

Processing – Communication between an ATM machine and a processing network that communicates with the user’s bank in order to approve financial transactions.

Processor – ATM vendor—or company—that sells and provides support for ATM machines.

Profit – The net income collected after investment costs.

Real-Time Online ATM Monitoring – A system that provides updates regarding ATM functions and alerts such as low cash balance.

Return on Investment (ROI) – The ratio between net income and investment. A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment.

Revenue – The gross income collected on an investment.

Revenue Share/Revenue Split – Compensation paid to a store owner in exchange for the space for the ATM machine.

Route – The locations where you own and/or operate ATM machines that you routinely and systematically travel to and from.

Site Location Agreement (SLA) – Also known as placement agreement, is the contract between you and the merchant or owner of the location where you will place your ATM machine that outlines the responsibilities of each party.

Site Locator – A person who finds locations interested in an ATM in or at their location.

Surcharge – The fee that you set for each cash withdrawal transaction made on your ATM.

Topper – A feature added to ATM machines to display ads and other graphics.

Vaulter – The person who loads the ATM with cash.

Vaulting – The process of loading the ATM with cash.

Vendor – Company that sells and provides support for ATM machines.

Wireless Communication Device – Also known as a wireless router, it provides 4G data connection from cellular networks, and will use 5G in the future, with major carriers such as AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

9 New Year Business Quotes for ATM Business Owners

New Year business quotes function much the same way as any other motivational quote you might have seen in your lifetime. The difference is that these quotes can be directly applied to business owners.

The beginning of a new year is inherently motivational for most people. It signifies a fresh start, a second chance, and new opportunities. This applies to us personally as well as professionally. As a business owner, entrepreneur, or self-starter, do you feel more motivated with the arrival of the new year?

If you need a little more motivation or inspiration, here are 9 New Year business quotes to help you achieve business success this year.

1. “Another day, a whole ‘nother set of possibilities.” -MacGyver

We like this New Year business quote because it doesn’t just apply to a new year. You can apply this one to any day. A new year, a new quarter, a new month, a new day…. All signify opportunities to achieve more. 

What are your goals for this year? What are your goals for this month? For today? And those are just the possibilities you’ve listed for yourself. Those don’t even account for the opportunities that will come your way that you might not even expect. Will you take advantage of those opportunities? 

Angus “Mac” MacGyver is famous for his unconventional problem solving skills. Will you be defeated by any problems this year brings, or will you welcome them as possibilities and opportunities? 

2. “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” -Oprah Winfrey

“Cheers” is right! Hopefully you welcome the new year rather than dread it. You should celebrate an end to the previous year, a year surely filled with mistakes that you have since learned from. Take comfort in knowing that this year offers you a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to put into action everything that you learned from last year.

Although it may seem that Oprah gets everything right all of the time, that is far from the case. And if she needs another chance to get it right, cut yourself some slack and try, try again.

3. “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” -C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is a writer known for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Chronicles of Narnia. As a fiction writer, he knew a thing or two about possibilities. You, too, are a writer. Although Lewis’s famous works contain fantastical elements, you have the chance to write your own story. 

What does the new year hold for you? What are you manifesting or working toward? No matter how successful (or disappointing) last year was, you now have the chance to make this year even better. The pen is in your hand. 

4. “A person can succeed at almost anything for which they have unlimited enthusiasm.” -Charles M. Schwab

Sure, easy for Charles M. Schwab to say, a man who accumulated a fortune of around $200,000,000 in his lifetime. Nonetheless, there is truth to what he says. Everyone measures success differently. Success looks different for each individual and for each business. However, if you love what you do, find joy in your work, and are genuinely enthusiastic, there is no doubt that success will follow.

5. “Work smarter not harder.” -Allen F. Morgenstern

We know, we know. You’ve heard this one before. But did you know that it dates back to the 1930s? Allen F. Morgenstern, an engineer, coined the term during a work simplification program with the intent of increasing peoples’ ability to produce more with less effort. 

Now, there is some controversy about this particular new year business quote. So allow us to clarify why we’ve included it here:

First of all, it doesn’t mean you should work yourself to the bone. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask for help. It doesn’t mean you should already have all of the answers. Quite the opposite.

Working smarter, not harder, in the context of your ATM business, means you should rely on those who have more experience in the industry. Ask questions. Ask for help. And plan ahead.

Working smarter also means you should prepare for any and all potential threats to your business. By this we mean ATM security. What potential threats, problems, malfunctions can you prevent this year that will save you time and money resolving in the worst case scenario? 

With the appropriate processes and procedures in place this year, you can ensure more revenue with less effort this year. Just like Morgenstern taught us.

6. “Do more than is required of you.” -General George S. Patton

Does anyone really succeed by doing the bare minimum? General George S. Patton didn’t. One of the most famous American military commanders during World War II, General George S. Patton was known as “Old Blood and Guts” and was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal and the Purple Heart.

General George S. Patton went above and beyond his duty and was revered and respected for doing so. This is what is necessary to make a name for yourself. If you’ve “gotten by” in the past, this year, try to do more than is required of you and see if you notice a difference in your business (and your life!).

7. “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” -Albert Einstein

Once you have some experience in the ATM industry under your belt, you can start to get creative. Experiment with your surcharge. Will a lower surcharge bring in more customers and therefore more revenue? Or is your traffic mostly local regulars where a higher surcharge brings you more consistent income?

What about advertising? Is there anything you can do to draw more attention to your ATM machine or business? Are there any extra features you’d like to add to your ATM machine this year to set your business apart from the competition?

Can you get creative with opportunities in the ATM industry? Maybe you want to start selling ATM machines to locations or get into cryptocurrency ATMs

You don’t have to be a genius like Albert Einstein to be successful. Once you have a little more experience, or intelligence, about the ATM industry, you can start to get creative and have a little more fun with your business.

8. “If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” -Peter F. Drucker

This New Year business quote from Peter F. Drucker, management consultant, reminds us of another: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Do you want to make more revenue? Do you want to scale your business? Are you unhappy in your current position? Would you prefer to work out of a different location?

If there is any aspect of your business that makes you unhappy or uncomfortable, it’s time to make a change. Whatever it is you are doing now that isn’t working needs to stop. 

“Something new” could refer to something material: If you want a new car, you might have to make more revenue. Okay, so what changes could you make to your business that might generate more income?

Or, “something new” could refer to a state: If you want to feel less stressed in your business, you might need to consider a different business model. Is there an aspect of your business you’d like to focus more on? Are there parts you could outsource, maybe parts you dread or don’t really have time for? 

Every ATM business looks different. There is no one way to do it. What do you want yours to look like this year?

9. “A business absolutely devoted to service will have only one worry about profits: they will be embarrassingly large.” -Henry Ford

Henry Ford knew a thing or two about service and profits. His service made him a household name, and he would have been worth about $200 billion today.

Now, your ATM business operates on a much smaller scale than Ford Motor Company, but what is one surefire way to ensure you keep generating profit? Focus your energy and attention on the customer. 

Great ATM customer service goes a long way. Customers are loyal to businesses that listen to them and know them. What do the customers in your area need? What surcharge is convenient for them? Are they able to contact you? How quickly do you address machine issues?

You don’t have a business if you don’t have operating machines. And you don’t have income if you don’t have customers. So focus on them this year.

What Can New Year Business Quotes Do For You?

If you struggle to get motivated or stay motivated, these quotes might just help. Take it from the experts, from business owners, entrepreneurs, and self-starters just like you. They’ve been where you are, they know what it takes. And so do we.If you need help getting started, scaling your business, or exploring other opportunities in the ATM industry, don’t hesitate to contact us here at ATMDepot.com. We can help you reach your business goals this year.

How to Get Your First ATM Placement (Without Any References)

Your first ATM placement is always going to be the most challenging.

Even with the best ATM business resources, the best guidance, and an incredibly supportive ATM processor, you’re still working from limited experience.

But, you’re also working without any references. You don’t have any other placements, yet. So, you have no track record to showcase. That often makes people nervous about signing contracts.

However, there’s a solution to this problem. And, you can absolutely get your first ATM placement without any references.

Here’s how to do it (and exactly what to say).

How to get credibility without references

People ask for references because they want to check your credibility. It’s normal human behavior to assume that if other people trust you, you must be trustworthy.

But, here’s the thing: you can borrow credibility.

In the ATM business, the easiest way to do this is to borrow credibility from your business partners. The easiest partner to borrow credibility from is your ATM processor.

If you think about it, as an ATM operator, you’re essentially selling the ATM processor’s service. The ATM machine is just the computer. But, it’s the connection to the bank that makes the money transfer possible. And, that’s what your ATM processor provides.

So, you can position yourself as a local representative for your ATM processor. That way you can borrow your ATM processor’s reputation to build credibility for yourself.

Obviously, this only works if your ATM processor has a reputation. For example: ATMDepot operates thousands of ATM machines nationwide. We’ve been in business since 2003. And, our CEO, Noah Wieder, wrote a book about the ATM business. He’s been helping ATM businesses since 1996.

That’s a solid track record. If you work with ATMDepot, you can position yourself as a local representative for ATMDepot to borrow some of the ATMDepot street cred.

Showcase the advantages of being your first ATM placement

Which employees always work the hardest? That’s right. The brand new ones. The new employees are always eager to prove themselves and show that it was a good idea to hire them.

Your first ATM placement is like a new job. And, you’re like that new employee. You’ve got the most to lose. So, you’re going to work the hardest.

Also, since you only have one ATM, that one ATM machine literally gets 100% of your attention. That’s a benefit. So, point that out to the client.

Restate the benefits of working with an ATM operator

Even if you’ve already told them why working with an ATM operator is good for their business, reiterating these benefits will help you close the deal.

Remind the client that your ATM machine will:

  • Reduce their credit card transaction fees.
  • Encourage customers to spend money in your client’s business.
  • Generate ATM transaction fee income (if you give a portion of your transaction fee to the business owner, which is a good idea).
  • Take the ATM maintenance responsibilities off the business owner’s plate.
  • Add potential ad space to the client’s business.

This is a classic sales formula: tell them, tell them what you told them, then tell them again. When you restate these benefits, you’re doing the “tell them again” step.

It strengthens your position when you remind the business owner that working with you is an investment, not an expense.

And, depending on how your ATM deployment service is structured, they may not even have to invest much money. The investment might be just the floor space for your ATM and the (very slight) increase in their power bill.

What to say to your first ATM business client

So, we’ve covered the principles that you need to apply. But, we’re going to make it easy to apply them with a script.

Our script covers all these fundamental principles, and applies them in the best order to close the deal.

You can modify this script based on your business and your ATM deployment service. But, if you follow it, you’ll have your first ATM placement in no time.

Here it is:

Where else do I have machines?

That’s a great question. And, I understand why you’d be interested in knowing that.

Well, I work with ATMDepot. And, they run thousands of ATMs nationwide.

They’ve been in business for over 15 years. And, the CEO wrote a book about the ATM business. He’s been helping companies like mine since 1996.

I’d be your local operator. So, I’ll be servicing you personally.

This would be my first ATM in the area. So, you know I’ll be diligent.

Rest assured, it’s an investment for me. And, since you’ll be my first location in the area, you’ll get my undivided attention.

I hope to be able to use you as a referral for my next location. And, the only way I know to make sure you give me a good reference is to provide top notch service.

If you give me a shot to run your ATM, I’m positive you won’t regret it one bit.

Within a few months you’ll be telling your friends how you made one of the best vendor decisions of your business life!

I’d like to help you start saving on credit card fees and give your customers more cash to spend in your store as soon as possible.

Now, how about we sit down for 10 minutes. I’ll go over the program, and we can do some paperwork.

That’s it. Very straightforward. Feel free to tailor it to your needs. But, print it out and practice it. That way you never stumble when it comes time to overcome this classic objection.

What to do now

Want to read Noah Wieder’s book about the ATM business? Get your copy.

Need an ATM processor with a reputation that you can use to get your first ATM placement? Get ATM processing through ATMDepot.

How to Write an ATM Business Plan

So, you’re going to start an ATM business? That’s great! But, you need to have an ATM business plan before you dive in.

As businesses go, an ATM business is relatively simple. There’s not a lot of equipment to maintain. You don’t have to stock any physical inventory. And, you can run the business yourself, if you want.

However, an ATM business plan is still very important, despite that simplicity.

Writing an ATM business plan helps you map out the first years of running your business. And, your ATM business plan forces you to think about all the aspects of running an ATM business, helps you anticipate costs and problems, and creates a checklist for getting your business off the ground.

Additionally, having a written business plan can help secure loans (if you need them) and bank accounts.

Really, your business plan is the first asset you build for your business.

So, let’s get started.

The anatomy of an ATM business plan

An ATM business has all the same high level considerations of any other business. So, the contents of your business don’t need to be special. Your contents page can look just like this:

  1. Executive summary.
  2. Company summary and funding needs.
  3. Products and services.
  4. Marketing plan and analysis.
  5. Management team.
  6. Financial plan and forecasts.

There will be subsections for each of these sections. But, everything will fall under one of these umbrellas.

Your business plan doesn’t need to be a manifesto. As you add the information for each section, a good tactic is to use short headings followed by bullet points. Use the question as the heading, and list the answers to each question in the bullets. That way you can easily reference your business plan when you need it.

These are the questions you need to answer as you fill out each section.

Executive summary

There are three main subsections for your objective summary:

Objectives

The objectives don’t have to be anything super corporate. It’s your business. What do you want your business to do for you in the first year? The first two years? The first five years?

The purpose of your objectives is to set measurable goal posts, so that you know when your business has achieved what you want and if you’re meeting your timeline.

Mission statement

The mission statement is related to what your business does for your customers. The mission should be a direct line to your objectives. What will you do for your customers that will help your business achieve your objectives?

Keys to success

What are the most important things that you’ll need to do to make your business successful?

Be very honest with yourself here. You’re going to be doing most of the work in your business. So, there may be some personal development that’s critical to making your business successful. Or maybe you must secure some additional funding before you can do anything else.

Your keys to success should be mandatory things, the non-negotiables that make the whole thing work.

Company summary and funding needs

Your company summary and funding needs defines who’s going to do what and how you’re going to cover startup and operating expenses.

Company summary

Obviously, you need to define your own responsibilities. But, also define what responsibilities you’re going to outsource.

  • Are you going to hire a vaulting service for your ATMs?
  • Will you hire someone to perform routine maintenance and cleaning?
  • Are you going to perform every installation yourself or have the installation done for you?
  • Will you pay for accounting and bookkeeping or learn to do it yourself?
  • Which ATM processor will you use? Will you need to pay processing fees?

You don’t have to do everything. But, everything needs to get done. And, you need to plan out who’s going to do it, and how you’re going to pay for it…

Funding needs

Startup costs

The most obvious funding needs are your startup costs. Typically, you can budget about $5000 for each ATM machine. That covers the cost of the ATM itself and the cash you need to stock it.

However, $5000 is just a general guideline. Identify which ATM machines you’re going to purchase and plan out how much cash you’re going to put in them. That way you can calculate specific costs.

ATM machines vary in price. And, you need to fill them with more money if you want to refill them less often. Define these variables, so you can very precisely define your funding needs. You’re less likely to run into surprises this way.

Operating costs

Also, calculate your operating costs. Be very specific in this category, too. Think about the gas and vehicle maintenance, if you’re driving to restock your ATMs. Include the cost of vaulting your ATM machines, if you’re paying a vaulting service. And, remember to include payroll if you’ll be hiring anyone.

Business formation costs

Lastly, consider the costs of starting a company (C-Corp, S-Corp, LLC, etc.). You can operate ATM machines as a sole proprietor, without filing any paperwork with the state. But, working as an individual, rather than a business, has some drawbacks.

First, you’ll be personally liable for anything that goes wrong. Raising a corporate veil is outside the scope of this post. But, if you’re operating as an individual, everything you own could be at risk.

Also, it’s very difficult to get a business bank account without a business tax identification number. Actually, it might be impossible (but we’re not bankers or lawyers).

Without getting too far into the legal weeds, suffice to say that owning and operating ATM machines without a corporate entity will be very tricky. It’s better to just start a company.

Corporate startup costs vary from state to state. But, you should figure at least $1000 to cover the filing and state fees. But, again, do some research to get precise numbers.

The purpose of this exercise is to determine exactly how much money you will need to get the business started, and how much it will cost to keep things running. That way you know how much you need to borrow, if you’re borrowing your startup capital. And, you’ll know how much revenue you need to keep the ship above water.

Products and services

This one is pretty straightforward for an ATM business: you provide ATM machines to businesses and events.

But, get more specific than that.

  • How much will your transaction fees be?
  • What will you do as part of your ATM services?
  • Will you provide additional products with your ATM machines (i.e. ATM toppers that advertise for businesses)?

As you negotiate contracts with business owners, you’ll find that each ATM placement has its nuances.

The purpose of clearly defining your products and services is to establish boundaries. You need to know what you will definitely NOT do.

Once you have an agreement and a contract to do something, you have to do it. So, you need to plan out your services. That way you don’t end up bound to a contract that’s not good for you or your business.

Having a clear picture of how your services are structured will also help you with the next step.

Marketing plan and analysis

The target market for ATM businesses is fairly predefined. Or, at least more predefined than many other business markets.

However, it’s still a good idea to narrow your focus and gather some intelligence about the businesses you’ll be targeting. There are a couple of ways that you can select a target market for your ATM business:

    1. Focus on a certain area. If you live in a populated area, you can focus on the businesses near your residence. That way your ATM route will be familiar and maybe even walkable. Or, you can just focus your efforts on an area with a lot of eligible businesses.
    2. Focus on a certain type of business. In reality, an ATM owner can help almost any business by providing ATM services. But, if you narrow your scope to a certain type of business—like casinos or gas stations—you can learn about the business, identify some benefits that are unique to those types of businesses, and position yourself as a specialist in that industry.

 

 

This may seem counterintuitive. If you only focus on one area or type of business, you’re missing a lot of opportunities, right? Not quite.

First, you can always expand in to serving new businesses and new areas as your ATM business grows.

But, narrowing your focus also works as a sales lever. You can build a unique selling proposition (USP)  around being nearby and therefore easy to reach. Or you can use your specialization in helping certain types of businesses as your unique selling proposition.

In short, focusing on a smaller target market makes it easier for you to get your first ATM placements. You can always widen your scope as your ATM business grows.

Management team

The management team might be just you. But, if you have additional team members, define their roles and responsibilities. Don’t leave anyone out.

This is a bit different than defining who you were going to hire. Now, you need to define what parts of the business each person is responsible for and how you’ll measure success.

If you’re the only manager. That’s fine. Define responsibilities and standards for yourself. Starting a business always involves at least a little bit of personal development.

Financial plan and forecasts

The most important part of this section is ensuring that you have a plan to cover all of your expenses and pay off any debts the business has. There are three parts to developing this plan.

Income statement

Your income statement is just a statement that shows your business profits and losses. Before you start a business, there’s obviously not going to be a lot here. But, be sure to prepare one and keep it updated. Most accounting software will run an income statement for you.

Balance sheet

Your balance sheet shows your assets and liabilities. Your ATM machines are assets. If you took out a loan to buy your first ATM, that loan is a liability.

Setting up a balance sheet is pretty straightforward. And, most accounting software will help you construct a balance sheet.

The general rule for balance sheets is that anything which generates revenue is an asset. Anything that does not generate revenue is a liability.

Use a balance sheet template if you want to manually create your balance sheet.

Cash flow statement

Your cash flow statement just shows where money is coming into your business and where money is going out. This enables you to get a high level view of your income and expenses.

Your account software can also help you with this. But, you can use a cash flow statement template to write out your own cash flow statement.

The point of putting together all these reports is first to prepare for tracking your business finances. Things get messy really fast if you have no idea where your money is coming from or where it’s going. And, building these reports once you’ve been operating for several months is a nightmare.

But, as you construct these reports, you’ll be able to estimate your projected revenue and establish a plan for paying off all your debts, coving your operating expenses, and maximizing profits.

As a note, most successful ATM business owners report that they make about $500 per ATM machine each month. Your numbers may be different. But, $500 per ATM per month is a good starting point for estimating your revenue.

It’s just like personal finance. You need to have a plan for what you’re going to do with your money.

One last thing…

That’s it. Your business plan is all done. There’s just one more thing. And, this is the fun part…

Go back to the cover page of your business plan. Think up a name for your business and add it to the cover page. It might seem weird to do this last. But, it’s a lot easier to think up a clever, relevant business name if you know everything about your business.

Now you’re done. And, it’s time to start putting your plan into action.

Copy and paste the following text into an MS Word or Google Doc to create a template for your business plan:

 

[ATM BUSINESS NAME]

  1. Executive summary
    1. Objectives
    2. Mission statement
    3. Keys to success
  2. Company summary and funding needs
    1. Company summary
    2. Funding needs
  3. Products and services
    1. ATM service packages
  4. Marketing plan and analysis
    1. Target areas and business types
  5. Management team
  6. Financial plan and forecasts
    1. Income statement
    2. Balance sheet
    3. Cash flow statement

 

Then fill out each section to write your ATM business plan (remember to add the name LAST). Then, all you have to do is get it done.

If you need help executing your ATM business plan, become an ATMDepot member to get training on how to start and run your ATM business.

An ATM Business Can Save Your Marriage (It’s Not as Crazy as It Sounds)

The title statement may sound outlandish. But, consider these stats about gray divorce (divorce among couples over 50):

  1. Gray divorce has doubled since 1990.
  2. Gray divorce has increased by 700% since 1960.

Those are startling numbers. And, it probably seems unlikely that an ATM business is the solution. But, if you look at why the gray divorce rate has skyrocketed, it becomes clear how an ATM business can help.

Here’s a quick story to illustrate the most common cause of gray divorce:

A young couple meets, dates, and gets married early in life—shortly after college. For the next few decades, they spend most of their time building careers, raising children, and preparing for retirement. There’s a lot to do, and they’re both happy to be doing it together.

Then it comes time to retire. Suddenly, the shared goals are gone. And the man has dedicated the majority of his life working. He spent very little time building relationships or hobbies. Or maybe both of the people in this couple spent very little time pursuing things other than work.

The struggle is that retired people often find themselves with nothing to do. And, this can severely strain marriages. When all the work is done, it’s easy to feel that there’s no need for a team anymore.

But there’s more: having nothing to do is no fun. Retirement is supposed to be enjoyable—at least as enjoyable as a fulfilling career, if not more enjoyable. So, it’s easy to feel unhappy in retirement.

That’s what’s caused this spike in gray divorce: a lack of shared goals and things to do in retirement.

An ATM business solves that problem.

How an ATM business can save your marriage from gray divorce

Being an ATM owner is not a way to get rich quick. When you start an ATM business, you’re playing the long game. And, this long game affords people opportunities to build relationships and develop a routine that can sustain them throughout retirement.

Older Couple having CoffeeBuilding relationships

One of the most important aspects of owning an ATM business is building a successful route. An ATM route is just the common path you take to refill your ATM machines with cash and ensure they’re in good shape.

The benefit of this ATM route for older people is that it provides a place where you show up regularly and get to know people. Socially, it’s like a bar (but far more productive and profitable).

Additionally, each ATM machine will be located in or near a business, and maybe even a bar if that’s something you’d enjoy. And, you have to develop a relationship with that business owner, because your ATM is on their property. And, these business owners may want to be involved, to some small degree, in the operation of that ATM machine (coupons, promotions, lowered credit card fees for them, etc.).

Developing quality relationships with these landlords, business owners, and property owners is key if you want to have an ATM business that’s all about service. And, your ATM business should be all about service. That will make your business successful and will ensure you keep your customers happy so they’ll stay with you for a long, long, time.

But, more than being an important part of your ATM business, these relationships give you people to do things with once you’ve retired. Your ATM business creates a circle of friends that will last a lifetime.

Productive routines

An ATM business also solves the problem of idle time in retirement.

Once you’ve set up your ATM route, you’ll obviously need to run that route regularly to keep your ATM machines up and running. This creates a routine that helps retain a sense of purpose and offers shared goals for you and your partner.

But, the best thing about the routine of an ATM business is that your routine can be as busy or as minimal as you’d like. If you want, you could work nearly full time in your ATM business. Or, it can be as part-time as you like.

And, you’re not just keeping busy. Your ATM business gives you productive work. It’s even better than a hobby, in many ways.

Reaching retirementOlder Retired Couple Enjoying Retirement Early via the ATM Business

Although this focuses most on how an ATM business can protect you from a gray divorce, an ATM business can also help you stay married until retirement.

As we mentioned earlier, an ATM business is not a get rich quick scheme. It’s a long game.

But, running an ATM business can provide reliable income that doesn’t require you to grind it out day after day. And, it’s income that you can earn in addition to your professional income. So, an ATM business can certainly make it easier to retire when you want to.

And, the additional income of an ATM business gives you time to develop relationships outside of work and build a marriage that’s ready for the realities of retirement. It’s also a business that gets you out of the house which is a big plus for decreasing the chance of a grey divorce. Plus, you get to enjoy any neighborhood you wish to pursue, make connections, and have fun at the same time. 

So, your ATM business isn’t just a marriage failsafe for retirement. It’s also something that can sustain your marriage and life until you reach retirement.

And, what about those who are retired or near retirement right now? You can start an ATM business at any time. Yes, the ATM business is a long game. But, it’s a long game that you can start right now, regardless of where you are in your life. Besides, you can start and ATM business with less than $5,000 and the returns on that money will be much better than the bank and much safer than the stock market. You’re investing in yourself and in your retirement. 

If you’re ready to start now, learn more about starting an ATM business.