Start with a 3–5 mile radius around where you live or work. Look for high foot traffic, adequate interior space near the entrance or a service area, and visible proximity to where people already buy bottled water. Drive-by traffic counts matter less than repeat visit frequency — a smaller laundromat where people come 3x per week outperforms a busy gas station with low dwell time.

Before you pitch the business owner, verify the space can support installation. You need: a ½” water inlet line within reasonable distance, a ½” drain connection, and a 220V single-phase outlet. Most commercial spaces already have these — but confirming early saves everyone time. The machine occupies just 5.6 sq ft, so space is rarely the issue.

Ask for the owner or manager — not the floor staff. Come prepared with two things: a short explanation of how the machine works (no cost to them, no staff required, adds a service their customers want) and a rough number of what other operators in similar locations earn. Keep the first conversation brief. Your goal is to get a second meeting, not close a deal on the spot.

A standard placement agreement covers: term length (typically 1–2 years with renewal options), revenue split or flat monthly fee to the host, access rights for maintenance visits, and what happens if either party wants to exit early. Most hosts in smaller locations accept a flat monthly fee of $75–$150 rather than a revenue percentage — it’s simpler for everyone.

Once the agreement is signed, coordinate with a licensed plumber for the water and drain hookup — typically a 2–4 hour job. The machine arrives pre-configured and just needs to be connected. You’ll set pricing based on local market conditions: check what nearby stores charge for bottled water and price your gallons at roughly 40–60% of that equivalent cost. Then configure your cashless payment system and activate remote telemetry.