Tag Archive for: ATM locations

13 FAQs About How to Get Into the ATM Business

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If you want to know how to get into the ATM business, there are a lot of factors to consider. First, you might want to be sure that getting into the ATM business is something you really want to do. Therefore, you will want to be able to weigh the rewards against the costs before you get invested.

Then, once you are sure you want to start an ATM business, you will likely have a lot of questions about what to expect and how to handle certain situations. We’ve found that many new independent ATM deployers (IADs) have some of the same curiosities and concerns when it comes to getting started. 

Our hope is that by answering these frequently asked questions all in one place, IADs will understand how to get into the ATM business and become confident about getting started. 

What Is an ATM Business?

Before understanding the ins and outs of how to get into the ATM business, you should know what “ATM business” means. Did you know that not all ATM machines are owned and operated by financial institutions? That means that there are other companies and individuals who purchase ATM machine equipment, place it in locations where there is a lot of foot traffic and demand, and make money from each transaction. 

Individuals who purchase, place, and operate ATM machines are known as independent ATM deployers, or IADs. However, there are a lot of other ways to get involved and make money in the ATM industry. There are ATM vendors who sell ATM equipment to businesses who want to operate their own machines. There are vaulters who work with ATM operators to handle the cash stocking. And there are site locators who match businesses and operators so that both parties benefit from the placement.

Regardless of your role, the following FAQs and answers can help you better understand how to get into the ATM business and start making money. 

1. How much does it cost to start an ATM business?

Of course, the question that is on the forefront of everyone’s mind is financial investment versus reward. One reason an ATM business is the ultimate side hustle is because it has a low overhead compared to many other businesses. The biggest cost is the ATM machine itself. This can be about $2,000-$3,000. The next cost is the cash you use to stock the machine if you will vault your machine yourself. This is still your money at the end of the day, but it will be tied up in your business as an investment.

There are other costs that vary from operator to operator. For example, you might pay for installation and programming, equipment upgrades and add-ons, and/or advertising. These are all optional.

So while it’s hard to provide an exact number, you can expect to start an ATM business with just a few thousand dollars. The vault cash is the only expense you need in full up front. You can handle installation yourself if you are comfortable, purchase ATM equipment on credit and pay over time, and you can add custom graphics, cameras, and other features over time and as needed once you start making money.

2. What are the ongoing costs of operating an ATM?

Now, those are the costs to consider when it comes to getting up and running. Ongoing costs will include internet service, insurance, maintenance, and travel.

Purchasing your own wireless device to provide your ATM machine with an internet connection separate from the location’s ISP is essential to maintaining consistent service. If anything happens to the location’s internet and your machine loses connection, you will lose more business than it would have cost to provide your own connection. 

Insurance is optional, but the location may require you to obtain at least general liability insurance as a condition of your placement agreement. General liability insurance typically covers bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, and legal defense. 

Maintenance costs will include cleaning supplies, receipt paper, and any technician calls. These costs can be unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to set aside some money or budget for these things.

Finally, you might want to consider the travel to and from your machine. This is why it is important to try to place your machine close to where you live or work or already go regularly. The farther out of the way your machine is, the more you will spend on travel costs.

3. How do I make money from an ATM?

There are a lot of different ways to make money from an ATM. As an ATM site locator who negotiates with location owners on behalf of ATM owners, you can request a flat rate or negotiate for a share of the surcharge. As an ATM vendor, you can mark up the price of ATM equipment to earn an upfront commission and/or keep a share of the surcharge for servicing the machine.

But most commonly, individuals will purchase and operate their own machines, generating revenue from surcharge fees imposed on transactions. Surcharge fees can range anywhere from $1-$10 depending on the location. Setting the right surcharge fee depends on the location. How much demand is there for cash in the area? How much competition is there? What is the average withdrawal amount? 

When setting a fair surcharge fee, you want it to be high enough to make your return on investment as soon as possible but not too high that customers opt for service elsewhere. Typically, the best surcharge fee is the one that brings in the most users. But you will monitor your data when you start and make adjustments as necessary.

4. What is the typical profit margin for an ATM business?

As an IAD, you can expect to make an annualized return of 35%-70% or more. With just one machine, you can make a few hundred dollars a month. 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 your ATM business for your salary and make thousands of dollars, plan to scale your business.

To calculate your ATM business profit, multiply your surcharge by the number of transactions you expect to see in a day or month. Then subtract any business costs, and that will be your profit for any given month or year. There are some formulas and calculators you can use to help set the right surcharge fee and estimate your revenue.

Remember that you can always adjust your surcharge fee or even move your machine to a more successful location if you don’t see the numbers you want. And of course, the more machines you operate, the more revenue you will generate.

5. How do I choose a location for my ATM?

Choosing a location for your ATM requires you to consider a number of factors. First, you either need to find a business that wants to offer ATM service to its customers or a gap in the market. Areas that experience high foot traffic and also provide opportunities to spend cash are the best locations for ATM machines.

Remember that you make money from each transaction made on your machine. So you want to see as many transactions as possible. This should really influence where you place your ATM. Will a lot of people pass by your machine? Will those people need cash? Are there clear benefits of an on-site ATM machine for the location owner? 

It is best to start looking near where you live, work, or already travel to frequently. The more you have to travel to and from your machine, the less profit you will make because more of your revenue will be spent on travel costs. 

We’ve created a list of the best ATM locations and how many transactions each typically sees. But each IAD’s situation is unique, so the right location will really depend on the need in your area.

6. Do I need any special license or permits?

You do not need a specific license to operate an ATM business, but you will need some sort of business name to complete the agreement with the ATM processor as your ATM vendor and to open a business bank account. There are a few options.

You can establish a limited liability company (LLC) to separate your personal assets from your business liabilities. This can be a good idea depending on the scale of your operations, your risk tolerance, and your specific business goals. 

The simplest and most common route among new IADs is to create a sole proprietorship and operate under a fictitious business name, or a DBA—doing business as. There are also partnerships and corporations that can be created depending on your business model and goals.

7. What kind of insurance do I need?

You don’t necessarily need any kind of insurance. However, the owner of your location might require that you at least purchase a general liability policy. General liability insurance 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.

ATM insurance is an inexpensive way to protect yourself against expensive accidents. Since your ATM machine is not owned by a bank, you are not subject to FDIC protection. While you can get ATM business-specific insurance, you don’t have to. A general liability policy might be enough, depending on your needs.

8. How do I choose an ATM provider?

There are a few qualities to look for in an ATM provider or processing company. First, it’s a good idea to look for a company that also sells ATM machines. This way, you can get equipment and service all in one place. And you know the machines you get from your ATM processor can process using their service.

You might also want to look for flexibility in payment options. Automated payments make your income even more passive and your paydays quicker. You might also want the option to split payments between multiple people or accounts. 

Of course, you want to work with a company that offers free processing. The least amount of hidden and unclear fees, the better. Make sure your ATM provider is transparent about any fees and processes.

Maybe most importantly, choose an ATM provider that offers reliable support. Especially when you are just learning how to get into the ATM business, you want to be confident that you will succeed. The best ATM providers will view your success as their success, offer resources, and be available when you need them.

9. How do I manage cash for my ATMs?

There are a few ways to handle cash vaulting. The most profitable way is to do it yourself. You will need a bank account with a balance that you will withdraw regularly for the sole purpose of stocking your machine. You might need $2,000 or so depending on how busy your machine is and how often you will stock it. Withdrawal amounts from your machine get redeposited to that account by your ATM provider. 

Another option is to have the location owner or other location employee handle the vaulting. This is sometimes a good option for IADs who don’t have enough cash available to tie up in the machine; businesses usually do. However, this extra task might cost you more in a revenue share, meaning you might have to pay a portion of the surcharge revenue to the location owner for taking care of this work.

And of course there are independent vaulters and vaulting companies. Your ATM provider might also offer this service. This is the most expensive option, but it alleviates the burden for you.

10. What kind of maintenance do ATMs require?

Fortunately, ATM maintenance is very simple. Just make sure it is clean, attractive, and functional. Keep it stocked with cash and receipt paper, address any errors immediately, and wipe the machine down regularly. If any decals start to peel, replace them. If someone vandalizes it, clean and repair it. 

Most maintenance you can easily conduct yourself. For more complex problems, simply contact your ATM provider or other ATM technician for help. Consult the manual for your machine when necessary, and check YouTube for how-to videos to save yourself time and money working with someone else. 

Know your machine well by monitoring the activity. That way you can identify errors and anomalies more quickly. The faster you resolve an issue, the less time you spend out of business, and the more money you make.

11. How do I handle security concerns?

There are a number of ways criminals can tamper with an ATM machine to try to access cash or customer account details. However, the simplest barriers can easily deter this activity. The most important thing you can do is be vigilant.

It is a good idea to keep your machine under surveillance. Whether it is always in eyeshot of a location employee or in the line of security cameras, advertising this kind of monitoring can deter criminals as well as reassure customers of their safety. 

Make sure the machine is bolted firmly and evenly to the ground to prevent the machine being moved. Test your machine’s security by trying to nudge or shift it. If it doesn’t give, you are good to go! The more time it will take someone to get access to the machine, the less likely they are to pursue it.

Therefore, you want to try to barricade the machine as well. Keep a straight path to it open, of course, but blocking the sides with furniture or displays can make getting to the machine more difficult. 

And again, know your machine well. You don’t want someone to install a pinhole camera or fake front to your machine that would compromise customer account data. Regularly inspect your machine to ensure that it hasn’t been tampered with. 

12. How do I attract business to my ATM?

There are a lot of free and inexpensive ways to bring more traffic to your ATM machine. A little bit of promotion can go a long way; you need to let people know your ATM exists! 

You can purchase an ATM sign and coordinate with the location owner about displaying it, but if you want to save some money at the start, just consider strategic placement. Put your machine close to a payment counter or somewhere else where all or most customers will pass by and see it.

You can also coordinate with the location owner to offer coupons printed on receipts and even advertise deals and discounts for cash payments. Cash payments save businesses on credit card processing fees, so discounts for cash payments is a win-win-win scenario that can encourage more ATM transactions. 

And take advantage of your ATM screen. Create custom graphics that appeal to users and also brand yourself at the same time. You can do this yourself or hire out for it, but some ATM providers will add custom screens as a perk!

13. What is the best ATM equipment?

You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing ATM equipment. To keep it simple, the leading brands are Hyosung and Genmega. But this doesn’t mean you have to purchase one of these brands. What you do want to look for is reliability and ease of use. 

Be wary of used machines. They might come with complicated issues, be noncompliant, or simply no longer work with ATM networks. Purchase new or certified refurbished. This ensures that the machine will function properly. Newer machines also tend to be more user-friendly because any issues with older models are typically improved with newer ones.

You also have a lot of options when it comes to features. The screens, cassettes, locks, etc. will vary from model to model. So shop around and make a list of features that are “nice to have” and features that are “need to have”. This will help you narrow down your options based on your budget. 

How to Get Into the ATM Business

There is a lot of information for you to consider when starting an ATM business. However, we hope that this list of frequently asked questions helps to simplify some of that information and put you at ease knowing what to expect at every stage of the process. 

Working with a knowledgeable, supportive ATM provider can make or break your business. ATMDepot.com specializes in helping people go from zero to ATM business owner. If you want to get into the ATM business as soon as possible, request an ATM Start-up Kit or check out the ATM Business Road Map risk-free to get a detailed guide for starting an ATM business from the ground up. 

An ATM business is the ultimate side hustle. It is simple, inexpensive, and rewarding. With decades of experience and a wealth of resources available to you, we can show you how to get into the ATM business today!

ATM Marketing: 5 Ways to Promote Your Business

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There are many ways to promote your business if you are a small business owner. But what if you are an ATM business owner? Well, many strategies will still work for you. And we highly encourage you to try some of these strategies if you want to scale your ATM business. 

The best part is that each of these 5 ways to promote your business costs little to nothing! That’s good news because it means that you can scale your ATM business without cutting into your profit which equals more passive income for you. Here’s how.

Why Promote Your ATM Business?

You will want to promote your ATM business to either get your first placement or to get additional placements after your initial installation. Promoting your business basically means advertising yourself. People need to know that you place ATM machines in order for them to seek you out for ATM service.

Of course, there are a number of steps and strategies you can use to actively get that first placement, and you can continue to use them. But advertising increases the chances of opportunities coming to you. That saves you a lot of time, energy, and other resources making cold calls and site visits that don’t convert to placement agreements.

The more passive opportunities that come your way, the more of your revenue you get to pocket. Next, we’ll show you 5 free and affordable ways to promote your business.

5 Ways to Promote Your Business

Social Media

First and foremost is social media. Why? Because that’s where everyone is! Social media is a great place to let friends and family know that you are in the ATM business. That way, they can refer you to business owners they know who might be interested in ATM service. Or, maybe they identify a gap in the market for you! 

If you have a hundred friends, that’s a hundred hooks you’ve got in the water! Basically, social media is a free and easy way to expand your reach with little to no effort on your part.

How to Optimize Social Media

Now, to improve your social media efforts and rewards, you will want to be active on your ATM business social media account. Here are some ideas of interesting and engaging content you can post to keep your page or channel active:

  • If you resolve an issue, share the experience! This will show your dedication to, knowledge of, and skill in maintaining your machine. 
  • Record short, informational videos. This will also demonstrate your knowledge as well as educate your audience on the ins and outs of how ATMs work. Promoting ATM and cash usage is good for your business, too, aside from getting placement opportunities.
  • Always post a relevant photo or graphic. This is an effective way to make your post stand out in a feed and makes scrollers more likely to stop and check it out! 
  • Memes are always fun. Adjust existing memes to relate to your ATM business experiences, or create your own. An expectation vs. reality meme or video could be a fun way to dispel myths and educate about ATMs, the ATM business, and how it all works.
  • Share interesting, relevant videos and articles related to your business. Sharing informational industry news can be an easy way to stay active on your page without having to create a lot of content.
  • Creating short, educational posts about ATMs and your business can help demonstrate your value. Make it obvious what you do and how you help local businesses.

Don’t Forget to Brand Yourself!

Your social media business account isn’t just for friends and family. Make it public and shareable. This will help you reach more people outside of your immediate circle. You can also be found this way by people actively searching for ATM servicers in their area. 

Then, if your page is kept current, you add branding (logo, theme, business name, etc.), and you display your unique style and personality, all of these factors can help you beat out any competition. Portraying a professional yet personable business identity, or brand, will make businesses want to work with you. Then, you can proudly share your social media with leads who can research you further and reach out when they are ready! 

ATM Business Card

ATM business cards demonstrate preparedness and professionalism. They are very handy when you encounter an unexpected potential opportunity. Keeping business cards on hand ensures that you are always ready to share your brand and contact info with whomever you might encounter day to day. 

However, you can also use business cards when you actively approach businesses with your ATM service offer. A business card is a good way to leave behind your information if the decision-maker isn’t on-site or available at the time of your visit or if the prospect initially declines or wants time to think about it. 

Traditional business cards are effective ways to promote your business because they are tangible. They will hang around, keeping you, your business, and your offer at the front of the location owner’s mind. Having something physical lying around after you leave keeps your prospect from forgetting about you. 

You can create your own business cards or use templates on websites like Shutterfly. You can order 50 cards for around $15. We even have some ATM business card tips you can use to get the right information out there!

While traditional business cards are effective marketing tools because of their tangibility, dot. business cards offer a new way to quickly and easily share your contact info. You only need one, and prospects can simply scan a QR code from their phones to get your digital business card! This way, it can’t get lost or trashed during spring cleaning, so it’s easy for a lead to access when he or she is ready to discuss your offer.

ATM Business Flier

An ATM business flier functions similarly to a business card. It’s something tangible you can leave behind if a prospect isn’t ready to talk at the time of your initial visit or if he or she wants time to think about your offer. The main difference is the type of information a flier includes.

A business flier will be larger than a business card. It will likely be printed on standard document paper. This allows you to be more specific about yourself and your business. You might add a personal bio, testimonials, and, most importantly, your value. 

On an ATM business flier, you will want to list the benefits of ATM service and the pain points you are able to solve. This can sometimes be a more effective reminder of your service than a business card which only shares your contact information.

Topper

A topper is a lighted sign you can purchase for an existing ATM machine. You can use it to display your name, your brand, your phone number, etc. This is a good way to reach strangers, anyone passing by or using your machine who is happy with your service and interested in ATM service him- or herself.

It also doubles as a marketing tool for the location itself. You can advertise specials, promotions, or new products and services for the store or business where your machine is placed. Generating more sales for your location is a good way to get a renewed contract and referral. Then, you can add to your ATM business flier your track record of increasing sales to the list of benefits you offer! 

Referral Program

Finally, you can create a referral program. This program is completely customizable. You can make it look however you want. The point is that you encourage friends, family, and location owners to scout out prospects on your behalf. In exchange for gifting you with a promising location, you can offer a reward. 

The incentive is up to you. You can offer a flat rate or a portion or percentage of the surcharge fee up to a certain amount or for a set period of time. If a friend or family member puts you in contact with a business interested in ATM service, you can gift a set amount to the person who made the referral. If the location owner of your current placement makes a referral, you can adjust the surcharge split in his or her favor.

A referral program is a good way to encourage people to actively try to put you in contact with more prospects. This motivation can help overcome any shyness or reservations someone might have about making a pitch on your behalf.

Conclusion

Not only are these 5 ways to promote your business simple and affordable, but you can use them all in conjunction! The more strategies you employ, the better your chances of reaching more people, getting more opportunities, and signing more placement agreements.

Whether you need to get your first ATM machine up and running or if you are ready to add more machines to your route, you’re going to have to get your name out there. 

Remember that the best part of these strategies is that they help create opportunities for leads to come to you. This saves you time and energy because you are meeting leads that are already interested in what you have to offer. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have contacted you! 

So what are you waiting for? Start experimenting with ways to promote your business today!

Cannabis Crypto: An Alternative Business Model for IADs

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What do cannabis, crypto, and ATM businesses have in common? They are high-risk industries unsupported by the federal government. All three of these industries are prone to unlawful business practices. 

Not fully supported by the federal government, these businesses find it difficult to bank safely and affordably. Often, business owners have to find a work-around, pay ridiculous fees and taxes, and/or face extreme scrutiny and audits. 

Could cannabis crypto be an alternative business model for IADs that serves as a solution? Find out how the three industries overlap and can work together.

ATM Businesses as High-Risk Accounts

It’s no secret that many banks are hesitant to take on ATM business accounts. The cash-heavy nature of ATM businesses make them high-risk due to the potential for money laundering activity. Banks have to be especially wary of such liabilities. They are held responsible for servicing companies that conduct unlawful business practices. 

In 2021, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) finalized its rule to ensure fair access to banking services by various financial institutions. This means that banks cannot make blanket decisions for whole categories of customers when provisioning certain services. Instead, they must conduct individual risk assessments for each customer.

However, many ATM owners still report difficulty finding ATM business-friendly banks. That’s probably because of the difficulty in making a good impression during the risk assessment….

Not only are ATM business accounts risky for banks to service, they are also expensive. The potential for audits, compliance reviews, investigations, and regulation changes are heightened for banks that do take on ATM business accounts. 

They also face federal penalties for servicing a company that engages in money-laundering activity or fraud. Banks that service ATM businesses have to meet their cash needs as well. It can be costly to order the cash necessary and make drop-off arrangements. 

These costs might be manageable for larger banks, but they are notoriously less likely to take on ATM business accounts due to the scrutiny they already face. And smaller banks are less likely to take on the extra costs. Therefore, there are few banks that IADs consider ATM-business friendly. And the ones that are can still close accounts at any time with little to no warning.

This uncertainty is a costly threat to ATM business owners. They cannot consistently provide their service if their access to cash is disrupted abruptly.

Cannabis Illegal Under Federal Law

Similar to ATM businesses, legal cannabis businesses also struggle to find access to safe, affordable banking. Although legal in many states, whether medicinal or recreational, cannabis is still illegal under federal law. This means that banks, federal institutions, are bound by certain regulations when it comes to providing services to businesses in the cannabis industry. 

Dispensaries cannot accept debit and credit transactions for cannabis-related goods and services. Since cannabis is illegal at the federal level, banks and credit card companies won’t allow these transactions to take place over their networks. And banks have to tread lightly to avoid breaking money laundering laws or servicing businesses that engage in illegal business practices.

That leaves dispensaries no option but to accept cash exclusively. You can imagine the risks this poses to these businesses. Not to mention the costs. 

Barred from the traditional banking system, dispensaries are forced to pay excessive fees to bank at state-chartered institutions or hoard cash on-site. And keeping cash on-site is not a cheap alternative. This makes dispensaries targets for robberies and increases the level of internal theft.

Add to that the costs of increased security such as safes, cash-counting equipment, cameras, weapon detectors, and other physical reinforcements. And to combat internal theft, there are the costs of background checks and training.

Nor is cash a hassle-free alternative. Cash transactions in the cannabis industry are especially subject to meticulously scrutinized payment and tax speculation. This causes dispensary owners to fear federal-level accusations of illegal or suspicious business practices.

The stigma surrounding the cannabis industry for the potential of criminal activity hurts dispensaries’ ability to provide legal goods and services to their customers.

Crypto Not Accepted as Legal Tender

Although a popular payment solution for many reasons, cryptocurrency is not accepted as a legal tender. It is a high-risk investment because of its volatility. Furthermore, since it’s a decentralized currency, it is difficult to regulate and, more importantly, to tax. 

“[Crypto-savvy retailers] will accept cryptocurrency payments and be exposed to either capital-gains risk or the risk that these currencies will lose their value suddenly and without warning when tax payments and rent are due,” says Khurshid Khoja. The unpredictable nature of crypto makes it impossible to rely on 100%. This means that businesses still must depend on banks for operations such as payroll, taxes, and other expenses like utilities.

Anyone can use cryptocurrency to purchase goods and services. But because it lacks the qualities of traditional currency, it isn’t considered a legal tender. Therefore, although it may be a convenient form of exchange for consumers, merchants run into complications when accepting it. Add this to the number of complications cannabis businesses that want to accept crypto payments already face.

SAFE Banking Act

The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act is intended to give companies access to banking services that are currently unavailable. The SAFE Act would eliminate penalties for financial institutions that provide services to cannabis businesses. Therefore, it would prevent cannabis businesses from experiencing unexpected account closures.

It has passed multiple times in the House but has yet to be approved by the Senate. Without it, the cannabis industry lacks access to loans, capital, and basic bank accounts. 

The SAFE Banking Act would also allow dispensaries to minimize the amount of cash they store on-site. This would in turn minimize the amount of robberies they experience. This contributes to the overall safety of dispensary workers and the surrounding communities.

Cannabis Crypto: A Possible Solution

The Problem

Cannabis locations are already prime locations for ATM placement due to their reliance on cash transactions. Additionally, because of the nature of the business, cannabis dispensaries are not authorized to own or operate ATM machines. 

They’ve even run into problems with cashless ATM machines. Visa prohibits their use because oftentimes point-of-sale (POS) purchases get miscoded as ATM cash disbursements but do not actually disburse cash which affects the interchange.

So dispensaries cannot accept debit or credit transactions, and cash transactions are a liability. But what about crypto payments? According to Cheyenne Ligon and Sage D. Young, crypto isn’t a fool proof solution, but it’s a start. 

Benefits for Dispensaries

First of all, the blockchain associated with cryptocurrency allows dispensaries to process payments affordably and prevents them having to go through third-party processors. Furthermore, crypto wallets offer a level of security not provided by the traditional banking system. 

While the federal government is concerned about the use of crypto in illegal activities such as money laundering and tax evasion, the crypto wallets actually ensure accurate reporting by using the blockchain as an audit trail. It can indicate how businesses receive payment and from which wallets.

Cannabis crypto also benefits customers by offering them a safe and convenient alternative to cash or card payments. “Crypto transactions make paying for cannabis goods and services more accessible, as anyone with a smartphone can make a low-cost transaction,” says Casia Lanier.

Although the number of crypto users is relatively low, it is increasing steadily. The more businesses that accept and promote crypto payments, the more public perception crypto will receive, and the more widely accepted it will become.

For those in the business of cannabis, crypto-to-cash payment platforms have encouraged the crypto-curious to take the leap. Benefits include less volatility and guaranteed compliance.

More and more dispensaries will be moving to cannabis crypto payments, if for no other reason, for an alternative to traditional banking services that aren’t available for them today.

The rise of instant crypto-to-cash payment platforms has helped some crypto-curious cannabis companies feel more comfortable about accepting crypto payments, both in terms of avoiding volatility and ensuring compliance with regulations. 

According to Lanier, “the potential for crypto transactions becoming accepted forms of payment is high, and the barriers to entry are almost non-existent for businesses across every industry…For businesses thinking of integrating crypto payment solutions, there is no better time to do it than now.”

Cannabis Crypto an Alternative Business Model for IADs

This is good news for IADs. Cannabis crypto provides ATM owners with a new and relatively untapped market for machine placements and uses. 

Bitcoin ATM machines (BTMs) function very much in the same way as regular ATM machines. This makes them approachable and user-friendly for business owners, consumers, and IADs. 

By offering BTM services to cannabis businesses, IADs can bring cannabis, crypto, and ATM industries together to bypass traditional federal banking regulations that so often shut these businesses out.

Want to convert your ATM machine into a BTM? Interested in getting into the cryptocurrency game? Contact us today to discuss your options!

Choosing an ATM Location: 9 Best Locations for ATM Machines

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Based on our experience in the ATM business, we’ve developed a list of the 9 best locations for ATM machines. The list is ordered from locations that see the most transactions monthly to the locations that see less but that are still lucrative.

Let’s look at some numbers:

An ATM placed at a slow location could make a minimum of $180 a month. It would require that at least two people use it every day for a $3 surcharge. On average, you should expect your ATM to process 150-180 transactions a month. That’s 5 or 6 a day.

The point is, it’s very easy to run a successful ATM business. You just need to choose the right location. We can help.

The Importance of Choosing a Good Location

The bottom line is that your ATM machine only makes money if people use it. So think about where people need access to ATMs and what locations people frequent the most consistently.

Don’t give up right away if the locations you’re considering already have machines. A new machine is almost always preferred over an old one. Do some investigating and see if existing machines are in working order, outdated, and compliant. 

If you find a poorly maintained ATM taking up prime real estate, see if you can swoop in with a better offer. 

Choosing a “bad” location doesn’t necessarily mean your business won’t be profitable. It just means you might not be making as much as you could. It will take you longer to meet your ROI and you’ll make less revenue in the long run. 

A poor location sees, in our experience, 2 or less transactions a day. That translates into a 25-30% annual return. That’s still a profit. If, after a while, you aren’t seeing the revenue you want, you can move the ATM to another location! 

You’re looking, ideally, for an ATM location that sees 80-100 transactions a month. That equals about 40-70% ROI annually. If you find a location that earns more, great!

There’s no problem with trial and error when it comes to choosing a location. You can also consult with the ATM company or processing provider you work with. Someone who has been in the business a long time and personally operates ATMs on a daily business is the best advisor when it comes to discussing potential locations.

What Makes the Best Locations for ATM Machines?

Cash Only

Top performing ATM machines can be found where people spend large amounts of cash. Cash only establishments kind of encourage this behavior and therefore are perfect locations for ATM machines.

High Traffic

ATM machines are there for customer convenience. So you want to make sure your machine is clearly visible, easy to access, and safe to use. Locations with heavy foot traffic encourage more ATM transactions because of the number of people who see the ATM regularly. 

The more people who pass by your machine, the more opportunities there are for transactions. And high traffic areas can make customers feel safer accessing their accounts because they are surrounded by witnesses.

Good Reviews

Again, you want your machine to be where the people are. If you arrange to have your machine placed in a business that doesn’t get many consistent customers or has poor reviews, you’re missing out on revenue. Businesses that people enjoy patronizing and that get good reviews are where you want your machine. Because that’s where everyone is at!

Liquor License

Liquor stores and other locations where liquor is served are good locations for ATMs. Similar to convenience and grocery stores, liquor stores are one-stop-shops, if you will. Rather than have to make one more stop to get cash, it’s convenient to be able to do so from the place the customer is already shopping. 

ATMs in liquor stores also typically have higher surcharges. So not only is the ATM market cornered in a liquor store increasing transactions, but you make more per transaction too.

Proximity to Other Machines

The closer your ATM is to other machines, the more competition you have. Will customers use your machine or the one down or across the street? You basically have to split customers.

There are only three instances where it would be advantageous for you to place your ATM in close proximity to another:

a. You offer a lower surcharge that gives users an incentive to choose your ATM over others

b. There’s just that much foot traffic that more than one ATM is necessary to avoid lines and overcrowding

c. The ATMs nearby are old, outdated, and/or frequently out of order

Again, when it comes to choosing a location for your ATM, consider the users’ needs. The biggest selling point of your ATM should be convenience.

Close to Your Home or Work

If you want to make the most profit from your ATM business, you need to minimize costs where possible. Traveling to and from your ATM is one place to start. If you place your ATM close to places you already go, you save time and money having to access it. Make sure your ATM is convenient for you, too. Otherwise, you don’t pocket as much revenue as you should.

You’ll need to regularly access your ATM to load cash, add receipt paper, clean the machine, and address any technical errors. Customers can’t use your machine and you can’t make money if your ATM isn’t in working order.

If you have a little experience running an ATM business already, it’s okay to venture out and maybe install an ATM farther away if you find a really good location. You might even hire someone to visit and load the machine for you if your ATM does really well and you can afford to do so.

9 Best Locations for ATM Machines

The numbers provided in this section are based on ATM Depot’s experience in the ATM business. There are many factors that contribute to a location’s success, most of which we covered above. However, there are seasonal and geographic factors as well. 

Keep in mind that these numbers are averages. The best rule of thumb is to gauge a business’s popularity and success. If a business is busy, regularly draws in customers, and has a good chance of staying around for a while, your numbers are going to be higher than a location with minimal success.

In terms of revenue, the following locations have the highest profit potential. However, they are usually supplied with ATMs from the beginning, so it’s difficult to get started in these locations unless you know someone and have an in.

1. Casinos

ATMs in large casinos see around 1,500-3,000 transactions monthly. And we’ve seen casino ATMs with upwards of 3,000 transactions monthly. Small casinos see around 30-800 transactions monthly. 

Not only do these ATMs get a lot of traffic, surcharge fees are also typically quite high. High traffic plus high surcharge equals great profit.

While casino ATMs get the most transactions of any other location, they are difficult to obtain. You’ll often see bank-controlled ATMs in casinos, but that isn’t always the case. The best way to get access to this money-making location is to rely on preexisting relationships.

Is there a service you already offer a casino? Do you know someone in charge at a casino? Is there another service you could add to your ATM machine pitch that would incentivize a casino owner to partner with you?

Because casino ATMs are so necessary and lucrative, you’ll rarely find a location in want of one. You might, however, be able to negotiate a better deal than the current ATM owner. Keep in mind that all of this is easier to navigate if you already know someone in the casino business.

2. Gentlemen’s Clubs

We offer the same advice for seeking out a gentlemen’s club as a location for your ATM machine. Gentlemen’s club ATMs see around 300-800 transactions monthly but are so coveted that competition to get in is high. Unless you know the owner of a club, you’d have to be a pretty good salesperson to get the attention of someone who’s already set up with ATMs.

But again, it’s not impossible or unheard of. If you’ve been in the ATM game for a while, you might be ready to pursue these high-demand locations. If you’re new to the business, though, check out the rest of our list.

The following venues are more easily attainable. So, rather than expend all of your effort trying to get started in the hard-to-get locations, you could already be making money by aiming for an easier target.

3. Hotels

Traffic to hotel ATMs depend on hotel occupancy, of course. The more people staying at a hotel, the more potential for ATM transactions. So while small hotel ATMs see around 100-150 transactions monthly, medium hotels 100-200, and large hotels over 200, these numbers might depend on the success of the hotel itself. 

A medium, non-branded hotel with great reviews might bring in more guests and get more ATM traffic than a large, well-known hotel that people don’t enjoy staying at. 

And it depends on the geographic location, too. What hotels do people have to choose from in your area? What’s the competition look like? Where do people like to stay when they come to your town? Are hotels downtown busier? 

These are all things to keep in mind when gauging which locations have the potential for the most revenue.

4. Nightclubs and Bars

Nightclubs and bars are typically cash-heavy locations. They see around 250-500 transactions monthly. Patrons don’t want to risk losing their cards or having them stolen, so they might opt to use cash instead. Many clubs and bars require cash-only cover charges, too. 

And then there’s tipping. It’s quicker and easier to slide your favorite bartender a few bills than having it charged to the card. Cash tips are more profitable for bartenders as well since card charge fees aren’t taken out of cash tips.

5. Convenience Stores and Gas Stations

Convenience stores and gas stations should provide customers with as many goods and services as possible. That’s what makes them convenient. Customers want to stop at these locations for as much of their needs as they can because it’s quick and easy. 

C-stores and gas stations are easy to find and small enough that customers don’t have to spend a lot of time looking for what they need. ATMs at these locations are also preferred by customers because they offer a greater sense of security. There’s almost always an attendant monitoring the activity.

You can expect your ATM to get 200-400 transactions monthly in a convenience store or gas station.

6. Restaurants

Here again we have the tipping factor. Charge tips are automatically recorded and reported for taxes while cash tips can be estimated and sometimes unreported altogether making them more profitable. Therefore, servers and bartenders typically prefer cash tips.

There is also a charge to run a card. Sometimes, this charge is taken out of the servers’ tips. They leave at the end of their shifts with the tips they earned minus the fees for the number of customers who paid with a card.

Smaller restaurants might be cash-only for this reason or charge the fee to the customer’s transaction. In these cases, it ends up being cheaper for the customer to pay in cash.

ATMs in and around fast food restaurants see around 75-150 transactions a month. Quick service restaurant ATMs see around 100-150 transactions a month. And you can expect 150-200 transactions a month from an ATM in close proximity to cafes, diners, and luncheonettes.

So consider the type of restaurant you’re looking at and determine whether or not it gets enough patrons to earn you as many transactions and revenue as possible.

7. Barbershops and Hair/Nail Salons

Similar to bars and restaurants, barbershops and salons are tip-heavy locations and usually charge customers extra to pay with a card because of the charge fee. 

These locations typically pass the fee on to the customer rather than taking it out of employee wages, so it ends up being cheaper for the customer to pay in cash. Without the fee, customers are more likely to tip more, so these locations strongly encourage cash payments.

Barbershop and salon ATMs see around 250-300 transactions a month. 

8. Microbreweries

This category kind of encompasses any new or trendy location. They bring in a lot of customers because of the novelty. People want to check out shiny, new locations especially if they’re bored with their previous options. These are also places people like to hang out. 

If a location draws a lot of people, you want all those people to pass by and use your ATM.

9. Parking Lots

Parking lots and parking garages are common in densely populated areas. That means that many people will be around regularly to see and use your ATM. Downtown areas and locations with a variety of shops and activities bring tourists and locals alike to spend cash all year round.

What all of these locations have in common is that they are places where people prefer to pay with cash and they are places many people like to go on a regular basis. The combination of traffic and need make ATM businesses successful in these areas.

Of course, your experience will vary. You know your town better than anyone else, so use our list of What Makes the Best Locations for ATM Machines to guide your search.

Site Location Agreement (SLA) and Revenue Split

Each of the 9 locations on our list of best locations for ATM machines will likely be owned by someone other than you. This means that you’ll have to talk to business owners to create a partnership for running the ATM.

Convenience stores get about 23% more in sales from ATM users. But while an ATM machine in itself can bring more sales to the location therefore benefiting the store, location owners will be most likely to let you use their space for a share of the ATM revenue.

So when choosing the best location for your ATM, make sure the contract between you and the site location owner is a win-win. You want to make as much profit as possible, so you’ll have to weigh the number of transactions you expect against the percent of revenue split between both parties.

Other Locations to Consider

A Retail Store You Own

If you own a retail store and are considering adding an ATM machine, you can add to your monthly profits. As long as you advertise it and make it visible to passers-by, an ATM machine could bring in more customers or at least more foot traffic in and past your store.

Encouraging cash payments could lower your credit card fees, and you can offer coupons on ATM receipts to push sales. Additionally, about 30% of the cash withdrawn from an ATM in a store is spent in that store. At the very least it encourages impulse buys.

So adding an ATM service to your existing business could be very profitable for you.

The Office Where You Work

This only works if your office meets the following criteria:

a. There are 100s of employees

b. There is a cafeteria or someplace to spend cash

The more employees there are, the more opportunities there are for ATM transactions. Before placing an ATM in your office, make sure there’s a good balance between the amount of traffic and need for the service.

Commercial Building

Large shopping centers are typically supplied with ATMs by banks, but smaller ones might not be. If you already know the owner of a commercial building, see who if anyone is providing them with ATM service. There might be an opportunity for you.

Condo Complex

Here again you have to consider the amount of traffic in addition to the need for ATM service. If there is a condo complex with many units and nearby locations to spend money, you might consider placing an ATM in a condo complex. Keep in mind that you will need to speak with HOA to get approval.

The Best Locations for ATM Machines

When scouting locations, look for high-traffic areas, cash-only locations or locations with a high rate of cash paying customers, and locations where other ATMs are scarce. You also want to look for places customers will feel safe using the ATM such as locations with lots of foot traffic.

Be aware of new businesses that might not have ATMs yet and locations where ATMs are old, outdated, and frequently out of order. These all make for great opportunities to get your foot in the door and ask about starting a partnership to run your ATM.

You can check out liquor stores, bars, restaurants, convenience stores, shopping centers, and parking lots. For your first ATM, it’s a good idea to choose a location close to home or work until you get used to the process. You can even look into setting up your ATM in the office or building where you work if there is enough of a demand for it.

If you haven’t set up a location yet and are nervous about approaching businesses, check out our article How to Get Your First ATM Placement. It covers how to borrow authority to give yourself credibility and what to say so that you can get other business owners to trust you and convince them to join a partnership with you.

Remember, the location of your ATM could make or break your success.