Unusual vending machines: 15 best proven weird finds
From gold bars and cars to bait and baguettes, plus the quirky UK machines that genuinely make money.
Most people think of vending machines as boxes of crisps and cans of cola. Around the world, though, machines sell everything from gold bars and live crabs to fresh baguettes and even cars.
This guide rounds up 15 of the most unusual vending machines, explains why some quirky ideas succeed while others fade and shows which unusual vending machines genuinely make money in the UK.
Quick answer: The most famous unusual vending machines include car vending towers, gold bar machines, live crab machines, baguette machines and short story dispensers.
In the UK, the quirky machines that make the most money meet a local need, such as farm milk and eggs, fishing bait, PPE and salon products.
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These unusual vending machines come from all over the world. Some are famous tourist attractions, while others quietly serve local customers every day.
1. Car vending towers
Online car seller Carvana opened a multi-storey glass car vending tower in Nashville in 2015. Buyers insert a large token, and a lift delivers their car to a bay at the bottom.
In Singapore, Autobahn Motors built a 15-storey luxury car vending building. Customers choose a sports car on a touchscreen and watch it arrive within minutes.
2. Gold bar machines
In 2010, a Gold to Go machine appeared in the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi. It dispensed gold bars and coins, with prices updated in line with the gold market.
Similar machines later appeared in other countries, though most were more of a publicity stunt than a big business.
3. Live crab machines
Machines selling live hairy crabs were reported in Chinese cities such as Nanjing. The crabs were kept chilled so they stayed dormant until purchase.
It remains one of the most talked-about unusual vending machines ever, mainly because it sounds so unlikely.
4. Baguette machines
France has machines that bake or finish fresh baguettes on demand, so villagers can buy warm bread at any hour. They became popular in areas where the local bakery had closed or kept short hours.
The UK has its own version in village bread and cake machines. Read our bread vending machine guide for the details.
5. Short story dispensers
French publisher Short Edition created short story dispensers that print a free story on receipt-style paper. You choose a one, three or five minute read at the press of a button.
They have appeared in train stations, airports and offices worldwide, including Canary Wharf in London.
6. Pizza machines
Italian-designed pizza machines mix dough, add toppings and bake a fresh pizza in about three minutes. Customers watch the whole process through a window.
7. Champagne machines
Luxury department stores and hotels have installed machines selling mini bottles of champagne. Customers buy a token or card first, which helps control age-restricted sales.
8. Hot soup and canned bread in Japan
Japanese machines sell hot canned drinks, soups and even soft bread in a can. Canned bread was originally designed for emergencies but became a quirky snack.
9. Ramen and hot meals
Some Japanese machines serve steaming bowls of ramen, while others sell frozen meals to heat at home. Hot meal machines are now spreading in the UK too.
Our hot food vending machine guide covers the UK options.
10. Umbrella machines
Machines at stations and busy streets sell umbrellas when it starts to rain. It is one of the simplest unusual vending machines, and it works because people need an umbrella urgently.
11. Fresh milk machines
Among the most common unusual vending machines in Britain, farm milk machines sell fresh milk at the farm gate. Customers fill their own glass bottles, and some machines also sell milkshakes.
See our milk vending machine guide for how they work.
12. Egg machines
Farm egg machines with small locker doors let customers buy fresh eggs any time. They are some of the most familiar unusual vending machines in rural Britain.
Read our egg vending machine guide to start your own.
13. Fishing bait machines
Anglers arriving before dawn can buy maggots, worms and tackle from chilled machines at fishing lakes. For the lake owner, it means sales even when the shop is closed.
Our fishing lake vending machine guide explains what to stock.
14. Eyelash machines
Lash vending machines sell false eyelashes, glue and beauty products in salons, shopping centres and nightlife areas. Like many unusual vending machines, they often have bright, eye-catching designs.
See our lash vending machine guide for more.
15. PPE machines
On construction sites, PPE machines hand out gloves, glasses, earplugs and hi-vis vests. Workers swipe a card, and managers track who takes what.
Our PPE vending machine guide covers set-up and costs.
Famous vending machine moments
Some unusual vending machines are famous not for what they sell but for what they started. These moments shaped the industry.
- Hero of Alexandria: designed a coin-operated holy water dispenser around 2,000 years ago.
- The Penguincubator: sold Penguin paperbacks from a machine in London in 1937.
- The internet Coke machine: a Coca-Cola machine at Carnegie Mellon University was connected to the early internet in 1982 so students could check stock remotely.
- Car towers: turned the vending machine into a building-sized attraction.
Our history of vending machines guide tells the full story.
Why Japan leads the way
Japan has around four million vending machines, one of the highest numbers per person in the world. That makes it the home of many unusual vending machines.
Low crime means unusual vending machines can stand on quiet streets without being damaged. High land costs make small, unstaffed sales points attractive, and many people value convenience.
Japanese machines also switch between hot and cold drinks with the seasons. Many UK operators now borrow ideas from Japan, especially for hot food and drinks.
Quirky machines across Europe
Europe has its own share of unusual vending machines. Many are built around local food habits.
Netherlands: hot snack walls
Dutch snack bars such as FEBO have walls of small heated compartments, known as automatiek. Customers pay and open a little door to take a hot croquette or burger.
Italy: fresh pizza
Pizza machines that make a pizza from scratch have appeared in Italy and other countries. They show how far hot food vending has come.
France: bread and cheese
Beyond baguettes, some French villages have machines selling local cheese, meat and farm produce. They help small producers sell directly to customers.
These unusual vending machines share one thing: they make local food easy to buy at any hour. That idea works just as well in the UK.
Sustainable and refill machines
A newer group of unusual vending machines focuses on reducing waste. Refill machines let customers top up their own bottles with water, milk or even cleaning products.
Reverse vending machines take back empty bottles and cans in return for a deposit. The UK deposit return scheme for drinks containers is due to start in October 2027, so more of these machines will appear.
Our water vending machine guide covers refill stations for drinking water.
Quirky machines at events
Festivals, sports venues and pop-up events are perfect places to try unusual vending machines. Crowds are large, shops are far away and people want quick, simple purchases.
- Phone chargers and power banks at festivals.
- Ponchos and suncream for changing weather.
- Branded merchandise at concerts and stadiums.
- Earplugs and glow sticks at music events.
Event-based unusual vending machines can be hired or moved between sites. They also give brands a fun way to hand out samples.
Before booking a pitch, check the event’s rules on power, placement and commission. Some organisers take a share of sales, which affects how you price products in unusual vending machines.
Short events also mean little time to fix problems, so test unusual vending machines fully before the gates open.
Unusual vending machines in the UK
The UK may not have car towers, but it has plenty of unusual vending machines that quietly make money. Most fill a gap where shops are closed, far away or inconvenient.
| Machine | Where you see it | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | Farm gates | Fresh, local produce at any hour |
| Eggs | Farms and villages | Simple, low-cost and trusted |
| Fishing bait | Fishing lakes | Anglers arrive before shops open |
| PPE | Construction sites | Controls stock and cuts waste |
| First aid | Workplaces and venues | Quick access to supplies |
| Cake and bread | Villages and farm shops | Sales outside bakery hours |
| Lashes and beauty | Salons and nightlife areas | Impulse and emergency buys |
| Frozen food | Farms and butchers | Local meat and meals 24/7 |
See our guides to the first aid vending machine, cake vending machine and frozen food vending machine.
Why some quirky ideas work and others fail
Unusual vending machines get plenty of attention when they launch. But attention alone doesn’t pay the bills.
The ideas that last solve a real problem. A bait machine at a fishing lake or a milk machine at a farm meets a need every day.
Ideas that rely only on novelty, such as gold bars, often fade once the press coverage ends. People try them once, take a photo and never return.
The rule of thumb: the best unusual vending machines sell something people need, in a place where it is hard to get, at a time when shops are closed.
Could an unusual machine work for you?
If you are thinking of launching one of these unusual vending machines, ask yourself a few simple questions first.
- Is there real demand? Will people buy this every week, not just once?
- Is the location right? Is it somewhere shops are closed or far away?
- Can the product be vended? Does it fit a spiral, locker or fridge?
- What are the rules? Does it need chilling, labelling or age checks?
- Can you restock easily? Fresh products need regular visits.
- Will it make a profit? Check margins after stock, fees and commission.
Use our vending machine profit calculator to test the numbers before you buy.
Choosing a machine for niche products
Most unusual vending machines are not special machines at all. They are standard machines stocked with different products.
- Spiral snack machines: suit boxed or bagged items such as lashes, chargers and small accessories.
- Glass-front drinks and combo machines: handle bottles, cans and mixed products.
- Locker machines: suit eggs, cakes, bread and odd-shaped items.
- Smart fridges: suit fresh food, dairy and premium products.
- Refrigerated machines: needed for milk, bait and chilled food.
Irelley machines can be adapted for many niche uses. Browse our combo vending machines, the 24H smart vending fridge or all vending machines for sale.
Rules to check first
Unusual vending machines can bring unusual rules. Check these before you launch.
- Food hygiene: register with your local council if you sell food.
- Temperature control: chilled food must stay at safe temperatures.
- Allergens and labelling: customers must be able to see allergen information.
- Age-restricted products: tobacco cannot be sold from machines, and high-caffeine energy drinks are due to be banned from vending in England.
- Raw milk: has its own rules in England and is banned from sale in Scotland.
Our energy drink vending machine guide explains the upcoming energy drinks ban.
Unusual vending machine ideas for UK sites
Looking for inspiration? These unusual vending machines suit specific UK locations and solve real problems.
- Phone chargers and cables: at stations, hospitals and festivals.
- Toiletries and travel essentials: at hotels, airports and student halls.
- Pet treats and poo bags: near parks and dog walking routes.
- Swimming goggles and caps: at leisure centres and pools.
- Ice cream and frozen treats: at beaches and holiday parks.
- Padlocks and accessories: at gyms and storage sites.
Our ice cream vending machine and vending machine locations guides have more ideas.
The marketing power of unusual machines
Unusual vending machines are great at getting attention. People share photos online, local papers write about them and visitors come to see them.
Unusual vending machines can help a farm shop, café or venue stand out. A quirky machine can become part of your brand.
Just make sure the product keeps people coming back after the first visit. A custom wrap can make any machine eye-catching without changing what it sells.
Costs and profits
The cost of unusual vending machines varies widely. A standard snack or drinks machine stocked with niche products costs far less than a custom-built baking machine.
| Type | Typical cost level | Profit potential |
|---|---|---|
| Snack machine with niche stock | Low to mid | Good if demand is steady |
| Chilled drinks or bait machine | Mid | Strong at the right site |
| Locker machine for eggs or cakes | Mid | Steady for farms and villages |
| Smart fridge for fresh food | Mid to high | High margins on premium products |
| Custom robot or baking machine | High | Depends heavily on footfall |
At Irelley, machines start from £695, with free UK delivery and installation. Spread the cost with our 0% payment plans.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a product for novelty rather than demand.
- Placing a niche machine where the target customers don’t go.
- Forgetting temperature control for fresh or chilled products.
- Ignoring food labelling and allergen rules.
- Pricing too low to cover restocking visits.
- Buying a custom machine before testing demand with a standard one.
The verdict on unusual vending machines
Unusual vending machines show how flexible vending can be, from car towers in Singapore to bait machines at British fishing lakes. The famous ones grab headlines, but the profitable ones meet a real local need.
If you have an idea for a niche machine, start with demand, location and the rules. Then choose a standard machine you can adapt. Contact our team to talk through your idea.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Famous examples include car vending towers in Singapore and the US, gold bar machines in the UAE, live crab machines in China, baguette machines in France and short story dispensers that print free stories.
Japan is the best-known home of unusual vending machines. It has around four million machines selling everything from hot soup and ramen to canned bread and umbrellas.
Yes. The UK has farm machines selling milk and eggs, bait machines at fishing lakes, PPE machines on building sites, lash machines in salons and cake and bread machines in villages.
A Coca-Cola machine at Carnegie Mellon University was connected to the early internet in 1982 so students could check if drinks were cold and in stock. It is often called the first internet-connected appliance.
Some do very well because they meet a real local need, such as bait at a fishing lake or fresh milk at a farm. Novelty alone rarely lasts, so demand matters more than how quirky the idea is.
Yes. Many unusual vending machines are standard snack, drinks or locker-style machines stocked with different products. Irelley supplies machines that can be adapted for many niche uses.
A car vending machine is a multi-storey glass tower where cars are stored and delivered to the customer by a lift system. Carvana in the US and Autobahn Motors in Singapore are the best-known examples.
Yes. Gold to Go machines dispensing gold bars and coins appeared in the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi in 2010, with prices updated in line with the gold market.
Products that people need urgently or locally sell best, such as bait, PPE, phone chargers, fresh dairy and first aid. Convenience beats novelty every time.
Most are, but food hygiene, labelling, age-restriction and licensing rules still apply. Fresh and chilled foods need temperature control, and some products cannot be sold through machines at all.
Got an unusual vending idea?
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