Houston runs on energy, petrochemicals, the Texas Medical Center, and port logistics. That shapes which businesses are worth approaching — below are the location types ranked for this market specifically, not a generic national list.
Estimated $330–$610/month gross surcharge revenue for a well-placed machine here.
Houston has no zoning, so cash-heavy businesses sit in strip centres anywhere in the metro — route planning matters more here than in almost any other US city.
With a metro population of 2.3M in the South, the districts worth working first are Montrose, Gulfton, Greenspoint, Energy Corridor and EaDo. These are where the location types below actually cluster — a route built around them will cover more qualifying businesses per mile than one built around zip-code radius alone.
Ordered for this metro rather than nationally. Rankings shift with each city's economy — gas stations lead here.
High volume, especially on commuter and highway routes. Look for sites without an existing ATM.
Ranks higher in Houston because of heavy manufacturing and warehouse employment and a low-density, car-dependent layout.
Steady daily foot traffic with cash-dependent customers. Strongest in residential areas away from bank branches.
Ranks higher in Houston because of a low-density, car-dependent layout and a genuine 24-hour economy.
High cash demand from patrons, concentrated on weekend nights. Tip-driven and surcharge-tolerant.
Ranks higher in Houston because of a genuine 24-hour economy.
Customers arrive expecting a cash transaction. Among the highest-intent ATM environments there is.
Ranks higher in Houston because of heavy manufacturing and warehouse employment.
Machines require coins or cards bought with cash. Built-in demand and long dwell times.
Ranks higher in Houston because of heavy manufacturing and warehouse employment.
Travellers need cash for tips, taxis and local spending. 24-hour lobby access is a major advantage.
Ranks higher in Houston because of port and freight operations and a genuine 24-hour economy.
Many shops offer cash discounts, and wait times keep customers on site.
Ranks higher in Houston because of heavy manufacturing and warehouse employment and a low-density, car-dependent layout.
Cash-heavy by regulation and by habit, with consistent repeat traffic. Often overlooked by larger operators.
Tip-heavy dining drives ATM use, particularly at independents with card minimums.
Concerts, festivals and fairs drive very high per-visit ATM usage. Seasonal but highly profitable.
Regular weekly visitors. Target independent grocers — chains usually have their own machines.
Cash tipping is still the norm. An underserved category with little ATM competition.
We estimate $330–$610 per month in gross surcharge revenue for a well-placed machine in Houston. That starts from a national baseline and adjusts for a 24-hour economy, plus the metro population of 2.3M.
This is a modelled estimate, not a guarantee. Actual revenue depends on the specific site, your surcharge, and the agreement you negotiate. Use the calculator to model your own assumptions.
In Houston, gas stations, convenience stores, bars & nightclubs rank highest, largely because of heavy manufacturing and warehouse employment and a low-density, car-dependent layout. The strongest districts to work are Montrose, Gulfton, Greenspoint, Energy Corridor and EaDo. Houston has no zoning, so cash-heavy businesses sit in strip centres anywhere in the metro — route planning matters more here than in almost any other US city.
A well-placed machine in Houston is estimated at $330–$610 per month in gross surcharge revenue. That range starts from a national baseline and adjusts for a 24-hour economy — it is an estimate, not a guarantee, and actual volume depends on the specific site.
Focus on independent businesses rather than chains — chains route decisions through corporate, while an owner-operator can agree to a placement on the spot. Prioritise sites with steady traffic and no ATM already installed.
Houston is driven by energy, petrochemicals, the Texas Medical Center, and port logistics. Houston has no zoning, so cash-heavy businesses sit in strip centres anywhere in the metro — route planning matters more here than in almost any other US city. Competition concentrates in the highest-traffic corridors, so operators generally do better working outward from EaDo and similar secondary areas than by starting downtown.
Model monthly income, annual profit and payback period.
Startup costs, legal requirements and scaling.
The highest-performing business types nationally.
How to structure the agreement with a location owner.