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Is an ATM Business Profitable: How Much ATM Business Owners Make

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Is an ATM business profitable? Well, yes. Otherwise they wouldn’t exist! Not all ATM machines are owned and operated by financial institutions. Many ATM machines are owned and operated by independent ATM deployers (IADs). 

An IAD’s main source of revenue comes from the surcharge fee imposed on transactions. However, there is more than one way to own (and profit from) an ATM business. When simplified, ATM business profit comes down to a few factors: location, transaction volume, surcharge fee, and operating costs.

For any business, the goal is to maximize revenue and minimize costs. The difference equals profit. In this article, we’ll provide you with a few formulas you can use to calculate ATM business profit. But we’ll also provide you with a look at other ways to make money in the ATM business. Keep reading to learn how to make your ATM business profitable.

How to Calculate Your ATM Business Profit

There are a couple of rules of thumb you can use to gauge how much money your ATM might generate. However, remember that there are many factors that can affect the success and profitability of a location (more on that later). So no location is a guarantee. These formulas simply help to give you an idea of whether or not a location is a good fit and what you can expect in terms of revenue. 

Rule of Thumb #1

The first rule of thumb says that approximately 2-3% of people that actually see an ATM machine in an establishment will likely use the ATM. Say, for example, that your location has an average of 200 customers visiting each day. One would expect or speculate that approximately 5 of those 200 people would use that ATM daily.

You can then take that number of people and multiply it by the amount of your surcharge. If you take that number and multiply it by how many days the location is open during the year, you’ll be able to estimate how much money your machine might make in a year. You can also get a monthly revenue estimate. 

(5 x Surcharge Amount) x Days Open Per Year = ATM Revenue Per Year

Use the calculator here to help do the math more quickly.

Rule of Thumb #2

The second rule of thumb suggests that the number of adult patrons an establishment has in a given day—plus or minus 10%—will use the ATM on a monthly basis.

This rule of thumb is more commonly followed if the establishment accepts credit cards or gives cash back at the point of sale (POS). However, alternate payment methods will affect ATM usage but will also convert some users to cash. This also helps lower credit card fees the establishment pays. Usage could be affected by as much as 20%-40%.

# of Adult Patrons Per Day +/- 10% = # of ATM Uses Per Month

Use the calculator here to help do the math more quickly.

Basically, once you purchase an ATM machine and set it up with processing, it could pay for itself in less than a year if it’s in a good location. It could pay for itself in as little as a few months in a great location. After that, you begin to profit!

The Location Factor

A high-quality location makes an ATM business profitable. While it is actually very difficult to lose money with an ATM business, the sooner your machine pays for itself, the sooner you can begin to make a profit. 

An ATM can be installed anywhere. But for it to be successful, there has to be a need for the service. That means that the more people who both have access to the machine and need cash, the more profitable your ATM business will be. 

So, when selecting a location for your ATM, look for places that see a lot of business or foot traffic, aren’t near direct competition, and offer opportunities to spend money. Cash-only locations are even better and can automatically increase your profit estimates. 

Once you are in business, you will make money every time the machine is used. But you have to make sure that you get enough transactions in a month to cover operational costs.

Operational Costs

Fortunately, there aren’t a ton of operational costs to consider each month. Essentially, you’re looking at travel costs to and from the location, receipt paper and cleaning supplies, and maybe wireless service and general liability insurance. 

If you make more revenue from your machine than what it costs you to operate your business each month, you will profit. 

Don’t forget to factor in revenue share when estimating your profit. If the location receives a portion of the machine’s surcharge revenue, add that to your operational costs if you calculate your profit based on the flat surcharge fee. Or, you can adjust the surcharge in your calculation based on the share that you receive.

Remember, too, that you will have a couple of thousands of dollars tied up in vault cash. This is the cash that you load into the machine to be dispensed each transaction. It’s a good idea to add that amount to your startup costs when determining your ROI goals.

Revenue Streams That Make an ATM Business Profitable

Surcharge

IADs make the bulk of their revenue from the surcharge fee imposed on ATM transactions. The average surcharge fee is about $3-$3.50. Ultimately, this decision is yours. Although, some location owners will want a say in how much to charge their customers for ATM service. So you will work together to find a number that works for everyone. You want a rate that is competitive but that also pays the bills….

Scale

To really make an ATM business profitable, place more than one machine. On average, if you want to earn $1,500 per month from your ATM business, you’ll need 5-7 ATMs in average locations. 

Not all locations perform equally. Obviously, 2 or 3 great locations will make your ATM business profitable faster. But every IAD has a few good ATM locations, a few slow ATM locations, and a few great ATM locations. If your machines have a topper, a wrap, or custom screen graphics, you might also be able to increase your revenue by selling ad space. Then you’ll really be in business!

Other Opportunities in the ATM Business

There are other ways to make money with an ATM business besides owning and operating your own machines. You can really assume responsibility for any one part of the process and hire yourself out to others in the industry.

For example, you can be an ATM site locator. This is someone who negotiates with location owners on behalf of ATM owners. 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. 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 also 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 to make your profit.

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

An ATM Business Is Profitable

If you’re considering an ATM machine or want to get into the ATM business as a side hustle to earn some extra cash or as a passive income, you need at least 3-4 people per day to use your ATM (if it’s available 7 days a week) to pay for the machine and make a few bucks. If you’re looking to make salary-level income, consider scaling your business and placing 5-7 machines.

It is difficult to provide an exact number or even range for how much ATM business owners make. But we can provide you with some guidelines to help you predict your own earning potential based on your location and opportunities available to you. An ATM business is very customizable and therefore very difficult to generalize. But if you follow industry trends, there is really no way you can lose.

Despite certain challenges to an ATM business like location negotiation, competition, and technological advancements in payment platforms, where there is a need for cash there is an opportunity for you to make money. So if you’re a motivated entrepreneur who doesn’t quit too soon, then the ATM business is for you. 

Most people fail because they quit too soon. If your first locations are slow, don’t get discouraged. You can always move them to better locations!

For detailed guidance at every stage of the ATM business process from an ATM business mentor and ATMDepot.com CEO himself, check out the ATM Business Road Map. You can try it risk-free for 30 days. And you don’t have to complete the course to get started right away!

7 Tips for Maximizing ATM Revenue in 2022

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We’ve talked about maximizing ATM revenue before, but we think it bears repeating. Plus, some things have changed in the economy and the industry in recent years. So, here is a modified, modernized, fresh list of things you can do to maximize your ATM revenue this year.

What is ATM Revenue?

Your ATM revenue is the money your machine brings in. So, how many people use your ATM in a day? A month? A year? The number of transactions made multiplied by your surcharge equals your revenue. The more revenue you make, the more profit you make because that means there is more left over after you cover business expenses. Maximum revenue is good for your business, and it’s good for you!

How to Make ATM Revenue Projections

There are a couple of ways you can predict your revenue and set revenue goals. First, if your ATM machine is in a store, restaurant, or other business, you might expect an average of 200 customers to visit the establishment every day. Now, the ATM industry estimates that about 1-5% of people who see an ATM actually use it, so you can count on about 6 or so people using your machine each day.

Another way to figure revenue projections is to determine how many adult patrons the establishment sees in a day. This should equal (plus or minus 10%) the same number of ATM transactions your machine will have in a month. This number might be a little lower if the establishment accepts credit cards or offers cash back at the point of sale (POS). 

For estimation’s sake, then, say the establishment where your machine is located sees 200 patrons a day. At the higher end of the spectrum, you could expect 200 ATM transactions in a month. At the lower end of the spectrum, you might expect 20-40% less (120-160). Multiplied by an average surcharge of about $3.00, you’re looking at a range of about $360-$480 in revenue each month.

Now, these figures won’t be exact. As you can see from the following list, there are a number of factors to take into consideration when it comes to maximizing your ATM revenue. So if you are experiencing numbers lower than the projections you get from the formulas, try implementing one or more of these 7 tips.

How to Maximize ATM Revenue

1. Adjust Surcharge

One of the most obvious ways to bring in more money is to adjust the surcharge. This is, after all, where your revenue comes from. However, while raising your surcharge could bring in more revenue, it could also deter customers if it’s too high.

If you already have a relatively high surcharge (the average is about $3.00), lowering it might bring in more users. Eight transactions at $2.50 is more than 6 transactions at $3.00. So you’ll want to experiment to find the sweet spot. 

Your surcharge fee will also depend on your competition. Consider the rates of nearby ATM machines. If you can offer a lower surcharge, you might be able to corner the market. If you don’t have any competition, you might be able to increase your surcharge without compromising the number of transactions you see.

And don’t forget, if your ATM is located in an establishment with a liquor license, your surcharge could be upwards of $4.00. So the establishment where your machine is located is a factor as well.

2. Diversify Denominations

Believe it or not, not all denominations perform the same in every location. In areas where there are more high dollar withdrawal amounts, higher denominations like 20s are standard and convenient for users. However, ATMs in areas where people prefer to withdraw smaller amounts of cash at a time perform better with smaller denominations like 5s or 10s.

To change the denomination(s) your machine dispenses, speak with your ATM processor. They will need to set you up with the right cassette and programming to make it happen.

3. Advertise

People cannot use your machine if they don’t know it exists. Therefore, advertising is key. There are a number of simple things you can do that won’t cost you a thing.

First of all, make passersby aware that your ATM is nearby even before they enter the establishment. Consider putting up a sign in the window for some cheap, easy advertising. Make your own sign for free, or purchase one depending on your needs and the preference of the location owner.

Second, advertise your ATM on the establishment’s website or on Google Maps. Make sure that people who are researching the establishment online or are looking specifically for an ATM machine know that there is one at that location.

Third, make sure the machine can be seen by patrons of the establishment. Is it in plain sight with no shelves or corners hiding it? Are there zero obstructions, making it easy to get to? Is the area well-lit? These are all factors to consider when it comes to drawing in more users, and the best part is that they can easily be adjusted without spending any extra money.

Now, if you do find that you need to do a little more, you might want to put some money into your advertising. You can purchase a topper for your ATM machine that helps make it more visible. You can even get one that can display messages and graphics to add to its appeal. Use LED signs and lights with bright colors to catch customers’ attention.

4. Offer Incentives

Your ATM might have the ability to print coupons on the ATM receipt paper. This is a great way to encourage repeat business. Gas discount coupons work well for gas stations. Car wash coupons, BOGO offers, and free drink with purchase are other good ideas. Customers are more likely to use an ATM if they get a bonus or extra benefit.

5. Update and Upgrade

Customers might not feel comfortable using your machine if it looks old, run-down, and out-of-order or likely to malfunction. If you are looking for ways to maximize your ATM revenue, we’re sure this isn’t the state of your machine. But customers might not know that just by looking at it. 

Make sure the area around the machine is clean, the machine itself is clean, the decals are new and not peeling, and your machine is fully stocked and functioning during all hours of operation. The less downtime your machine experiences, the more opportunities you open to transactions.

Your machine might look great! But certain upgrades can make your machine stand out from the competition. Earlier we mentioned using LED lights, topper, and graphics to help advertise your machine, but these features can also make your machine look more inviting if it’s already in a conspicuous area.

As long as you ensure your software is updated, then you minimize the downtime of your ATM and speed up transactions. This keeps users coming back. Upgrades are a nice touch if you find that you need them. 

6. Change Locations

You might want to experiment with the placement of your machine as well. Place the machine near the door where patrons have two opportunities to pass by it (coming and going). Or near the cash register where almost every patron is sure to stop and probably need cash. You might also consider placing it near a particularly popular aisle where more people are likely to spot it. Be strategic.

If your machine can be hooked up outside, you might want to consider this as well. This opens business up to passersby who never intended to enter the establishment in the first place. It’s also quite obviously visible this way, and if the establishment isn’t open 24/7, you open your machine up to more transaction opportunities by extending its hours of operation.

Finally, if all else fails and you aren’t seeing the numbers you want to, it might be a matter of slow business or foot traffic to the location. If you aren’t seeing at least 200 patrons in a day/transactions in a month, you might consider looking for a busier, more profitable location.

7. Scale Your Business

Now, if your machine is doing as well as you could hope, but you still want to bring in more revenue, it might be time to scale. This could mean adding another ATM machine or two (or ten!) to your route, or it could mean branching out into the Bitcoin ATM business. 

Cryptocurrency is rising in popularity. If you live in an area with a heavy population of crypto users, it might be worth it to give it a shot. Bitcoin ATMs (BTMs) allow users to purchase bitcoin with cash or debit card, and they can sell bitcoin for cash as well. Adding a BTM to your route would provide an additional source of revenue.

Maximize ATM Revenue in 2022

There is no shortage of opportunities when it comes to the ATM business. If one strategy doesn’t work, it doesn’t take much effort to try another! That’s the beauty of passive income. 

Unfortunately, we don’t have the perfect recipe for your success. It will require some trial and error. That’s because no two ATM businesses look the same. There are so many factors to consider, but that also means that there are many possibilities to explore. Find what works for you and your personal revenue goals this year.

Improve ATM Performance and ATM Attractiveness to Maximize ATM Profits

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Owning and operating an ATM business is a simple way to earn passive income. But what if your ATM performance isn’t as high as you expected? Is there anything you can do to maximize ATM profits?

You have to keep in mind that although an ATM business is unconventional in many ways, at the end of the day it is still a business. For instance, what do store owners do during slow periods? They run sales, offer coupons, and take out ads. You can do the same for your ATM. 

If your ATM isn’t performing well, don’t worry and don’t quit. There are things you can do to improve your ATM performance, maximize ATM profits, and get that passive income flowing.

Why Isn’t Your ATM Performing?

Before you look at the ways to improve your ATM performance, you need to diagnose the problem. After you identify the reason(s) why your ATM isn’t performing, then you can determine an appropriate solution.

The first factor you want to consider is the location. Is your ATM placed in someone else’s store? How much traffic does it get? Does the location have good reviews? You want your ATM machine in a store where a lot of people pass by and drop in.

What about hours of operation? Is the location 24/7? If not, is your ATM machine inside or outside of the store? Your ATM might not be serving your customers at the times when they need it most.

Think about the placement, too. Is the ATM in a place where people feel safe using it? If the ATM machine is hidden, poorly lit, or not under video surveillance, this could be deterring customers.

Finally, consider your surcharge. Is it too high? Is there another machine close by that offers a lower surcharge? If so, you might want to experiment with a lower fee.

Of course, you might not be sure what the problem is exactly. In that case, there’s no harm in trying all of the following ways to improve ATM performance and maximize ATM profits!

How to Improve ATM Performance

1. Advertise

The first thing you want to do to get customers to use your ATM is make sure they know it’s available. Is there a sign at the location that passers-by can see from the street? If not, add one.

Advertise inside the location as well. Add a topper to the machine that catches the attention of customers and patrons of the location. There should be a clear path to the ATM machine as well. If it’s in patrons’ line of sight, it will be easier to access and therefore will attract more customers.

Does the location or store have a website or Facebook page? If so, you might want to list “ATM” online as a service offering. That can spread the word to people who aren’t even on site or nearby. 

2. Offer Incentives

You might want to partner with the location owner to offer some sort of incentive to customers for using the ATM machine. Coupons can be printed on the ATM receipts to encourage both ATM use and in-store purchases. This creates a win-win situation for you and the location owner.

3. Upgrade Features

Adding upgrades to your ATM machine is an easy way to spruce up an older ATM machine. Even if your machine is new, adding additional features could help customers notice your ATM machine and set yours apart from the competition.

Add a topper to run graphics, messages, store promotions, ads. Install a lighted keypad to make the machine more attractive. And if you don’t already have a camera on the premises, adding one will make customers feel more comfortable using your machine.

You can also invest in a UV-C light device that scans the keypad to sanitize it. This could impress your customers by looking out for their health and safety and set you apart from the competition.

4. Lower Surcharge

You have to set your surcharge strategically. The average ATM surcharge fee is around $2.50-$3.00. If your surcharge is higher than this, it could be deterring customers.

If your surcharge is too high, you might lose customers to a machine with a lower surcharge. Scope out the surrounding area and see what other machines are charging. (If yours is the only ATM nearby, then surcharge likely isn’t your issue.) You want to offer a competitive rate: high enough for you to make income but low enough to encourage transactions.

You can experiment with this. Lower the surcharge for a while. If transactions don’t increase, then this probably isn’t the issue. So raise it back to the original surcharge so that you at least continue to make the same amount of money from the transactions you do get. Only lower the surcharge if it draws in more customers. 

You might also consider offering lower denominations from your ATM machine. Customers in the area where your machine is may need to take out less than a $20 bill. Dispensing a different denomination than the other ATMs around you could also help you stand out from the competition.

5. Move the ATM

If all else fails, move the ATM. This is one of the unique benefits of running an ATM business: it’s mobile. If your location is slow, hidden, going downhill, then it might be a good idea to move the ATM to a different store when your agreement is up. However, let’s not jump to switching locations just yet. Strategic placement of the machine at its current location could do the trick. 

First of all, can passers-by see the ATM before entering the store? If not, is there a place that would make this possible? People have to know that an ATM machine is available in order to use it.

Second, is the ATM machine easy to get to? You might consider moving it close to the front door or straight ahead from the front door without any shelves, lines, or other obstacles. Not only should the machine be easy to get to, but ATM users don’t want to be hidden from cameras or the public eye when they access their accounts. An obscure ATM machine isn’t safe, and your customers are attuned to this.

Third, can the ATM machine be moved outside? If this is feasible, it could extend the hours of operation of your machine if the store isn’t open 24/7. This also solves a couple of the other problems: visibility and accessibility.

Finally, is the ATM in an area where people need cash? There might not be a need for an ATM at its current location. Maybe there are other machines in close proximity that are proving to be too much competition. Or maybe there aren’t a lot of opportunities for people to make cash purchases at any other businesses in the area. If this is the case, it might be time to look for a new location.

How to Improve ATM Attractiveness

Would you rather use a dingy ATM or a shiny new one? Not only does shiny grab users’ attention, it also suggests a certain degree of safety and trust. We aren’t saying you have to purchase (or should have purchased) a brand new ATM. There is nothing wrong with a properly refurbished ATM machine.

What we are saying is that customers are more likely to use a machine that’s clean, attractive, and safe. Users don’t want to use a machine that looks old, run-down, poorly maintained. They might fear losing their debit cards if the machine doesn’t look trustworthy.

There are a few things you can do to make sure your ATM machine is attractive and enticing to customers. First, clean it. Wipe it down regularly. Replace the decals if necessary. Clean the area around the ATM, too. You want people to approach the ATM, not shy away from it.

Second, upgrade some features. Add a topper to run messages and advertisements. Get a security camera. Install a lighted keypad to attract customers and make the machine more attractive. Especially if your machine is used or refurbished, adding a lighted keypad could be a nice touch. 

Third, make sure your machine is functional and has little to no down time. An out of order sign could lose customers’ trust and prevent them from returning to that machine. So if anything ever goes wrong, address it immediately. This includes keeping the machine stocked with cash and receipt paper at all times.

Finally, regularly update your software. You want your machine to run as quickly and smoothly as possible. And you don’t want to run into any technical issues. The more available your machine is, the more potential there is for transactions.

Conclusion

If none of these tips are possible or effective for you, you might want to consider moving to a new location while keeping this list in mind. In order to improve ATM performance and maximize ATM profits, people have to know that the machine exists, they have to need cash, and they have to feel comfortable using the machine. 

It might require a little trial and error to get it just right. There are a lot of factors to consider and a lot of decisions to make. Be strategic and don’t be afraid to try and try again. That’s the beauty of the ATM business: it’s easy to be flexible. Want to know what locations experience the best ATM performance? Check out our article “Choosing an ATM Location: 9 Best Locations for ATM Machines” here.

Doing Business with International ATMs

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Doing Business with International ATMs

Doing business at a local ATM machine is not at all that uncommon, but what about trying to transact business with an ATM that’s located outside of your native country? Is it as easy to do, as it would be at home? Are the fees reasonable or astronomical? What about customer service, or support systems?

All of these are certainly legitimate concerns for any person who is trying to use an ATM machine out of the country. And, if you’re an ATM machine owner, it’s certainly a topic that you want to address with your customers so that you can help them to avoid any issues. Working with the proper channels that are necessary in order to have your ATM location properly mapped can mean the difference in you either losing, or gaining, business.

Customer Protection

Dealing with financial institutions abroad can be quite interesting, especially given that each banking institution operates under its own set of guidelines. There are of course some areas where financial institutions operate under the same principles (legal, etc.), but there is flexibility on other areas where things can be changed or adjusted to fit the bank’s mission or objective. To protect the customer, there are a few things that they need to be aware of when doing business with international ATMs. Some include:

– Locally-Owned

Try to only deal with ATMs that are owned and/or operated by the financial institution that owns them. This means, avoiding unknown, unheard of or ATMs that are ill-placed in different areas. If the customer experiences any problems with such machines, it would be a horrendous task to try and lay claim to any losses while in a foreign country.

– Conversion Fees

Take note of any “conversion fees” that are a part of the ATM transaction. These fees are also known as international withdrawal fees, and are assessed whenever a customer withdraws money in another country from an ATM machine. Generally, these conversion fees are a matter of doing business, but it’s important to stay aware o the fees, which should run no more than between 1% to 3% per purchase, or per instance (debit card purchases inclusive).

– Balance Inquiry

A charge for a simple “balance inquiry” at an ATM machine can result in a nominal fee being tacked on to your account. As a one-off transaction, this may not be especially important, but depending on the institution’s policies and fees, this amount can certainly add up quickly. It’s probably going to be best (and more economical) to find an alternate method to check your bank account balance to get this information. One such suggestion would be to do an online inquiry, which would likely not result in a charge from your local banking institution.

Other Financial Services

Customers can also turn directly to the financial institution that issued the card if they want to get more financial services, in addition to the ATM services. This is especially important if the traveler will be going abroad and may need other services like currency exchange information, information about withdrawal limits or any other cash restrictions or any limits on cash advances for the local currency. Dealing directly with the issuing institution will help answer any questions or vague understanding that the customer may have about cash, ATM and traveling. It’s always best to have a thorough understanding of any money issues that may exist in other locales before arriving there.

In order for customers to locate ATM’s in a specific country or within a particular region, they can reference an ATM locator to find out if there is one in their area. Usually, owners send ATM location information periodically to MasterCard and Visa card corporations. This location information is logged and made available on the card-issuer’s site(s) so that customers can quickly locate an ATM location. Since this information is updated frequently, it does in fact contain the most current and accurate ATM location information that would be available to customers worldwide.