At school, at an airport, at your fitness center, at your hotel, or anywhere else where quick snacks are needed-oftentimes you can count on a vending machine with candy being there. When you are at a vending machine, at least in the USA, have you ever noticed that the variety of candy and snacks will oftentimes not be that different from machine to machine? We’ve already covered how vending machine drink selections are typically similar in many machines across the USA, and you won’t be surprised to learn things work the same way with candy and snacks.
There seems to be more variety of candy and snacks sold across the USA than we see with drinks, but it’s still a fairly concentrated game with a few big players dominating the industry. Certainly, in the USA, Hershey, Mars, Mondelez International, Ferrero Group, and Haribo are some of the dominant candy companies that supply many of the biggest candy brands you’re accustomed to seeing in convenience stores, grocery stores, and vending machines.
So, while many people won’t think twice about the contents of a vending machine, next time you shop for a quick treat at a vending machine you may just analyze things a bit further after learning about some of the most popular vending machine candies. After all, you’ll realize it’s not just coincidence these same treats pop up everywhere you’re at- it’s because these are the things that sell well at various locations across the world.
Please note the list below is simply meant to note 10 of the most popular candies. Specifically for this article, snack foods are not mentioned here because popular vending machine snacks are a separate category from candy, and thus this information can be found in another article. Also, while this list is meant to detail some of the most popular vending machine candy options, the items are not ranked or listed in any particular order. Now, without further delay, please read on to learn more about 10 of the most popular vending machine candies.
10 Popular Vending Machine Candies 2024
1) Peanut M&M’s
The famous and colorful M&M’s chocolate shell, covering salty peanuts, is a simple concept which Peanut M&M’s execute to perfection according to some reviews you’ll find online for this famously popular candy. No wonder these candies continue to be as popular as ever, selling consistently at stores and vending machines almost everywhere.
2) Reese’s
Chocolate and peanut butter never seemed like a smart combination before Reese’s did it, but now it’s one of the most popular candy options in the world.
3) Snickers
People who love snickers really love them passionately, and that’s why some estimates indicate they’re one of the top 3 candy options on the market today. Fun fact about Snickers is that the bar was first produced in 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and legend has it that the bar was named after a horse. Now, more than $400 Million USD of Snickers bars are sold annually. With this information in mind, it appears a lot of people turn to a Snickers when they’re hungry.
4) Skittles (Original)
Not a chocolate and not like any other sweets out there, Skittles have found a way to stay popular since launching in 1974. With that history in mind, the candy that wants consumers to “taste the rainbow,” has had 50 years of success… and counting.
5) M&M’s
The original M&M’s are still one of the top selling candies in the world, ever since being invented by Forrest Mars in 1941 as a way for soldiers to access chocolate treats that wouldn’t melt when being transported. In the beginning, M&M’s were exclusively for service members, but chocolate lovers everywhere are glad that didn’t remain the case for obvious reasons. Now, more than 80 years after first being created, M&M’s still are one of the USA’s most popular candy options.
6) Twix
You’ve probably seen the commercials pitting the “left” Twix vs the “right” Twix, right? Well, whatever Twix is getting people’s tastebuds fired up is obviously doing something right, because it turns out
7) Hershey’s Original
Around 1900 is when Milton Hershey, the founder of The Hershey Company, sold the first Hershey Bar. More than 120 years later, this candy bar with its own unique taste Milk Chocolate taste is still going strong as one of the most popular candy bars in the USA.
8) Starburst
In 1960, Starburst were Originally introduced by Mars in the UK under the name Opal Fruits. The original flavors were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime. While many variations have been created since 1960, Starburst Original remains one of the most popular confections anywhere and you can typically find these treats in most Vending Machines everywhere.
9) Sour Patch Kids
Now known around the world by various names, Sour Patch Kids have become one of the most beloved sour candies in the world ever since being created in the 1970s by Jaret International’s Confection whiz Frank Galatolie. Originally known as “Mars Men,” Sour Patch Kids came in flavors lime, lemon, orange, and raspberry. Now a staple in candy vending machines across the USA and most of the world, something about the sour and sweet sensation of Sour Patch Kids continues to enthrall candy lovers to this day.
10) Kit Kat
Very few candy bars have memorable jingles that are known the world over, but Kit Kat is one of the exceptions. A favorite in the USA, Canada, Japan, and beyond, Kit Kat has earned its place in candy stardom ever since a 1935 debut in England under the original name “Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.” By 1937, the name was changed to “Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp,” and the bar has been one of the most popular candy bars globally for the last nearly 90 years.
Didn’t see your favorite candies or chocolate bars make the list? Don’t worry, this isn’t meant to be a definitive ranking, but it is meant to help vending machine operators and snack enthusiasts find out more information that will help determine what candies are most popular for consumers shopping at vending machines in 2024. If you weren’t hungry for some candy before, you might be after reading this article. Now, go enjoy a sweet treat- you’ve earned it!
