Portland runs on athletic apparel, semiconductors, food and beverage production. That shapes which businesses are worth approaching — below are the location types ranked for this market specifically, not a generic national list.
Estimated $310–$570/month gross surcharge revenue for a well-placed machine here.
Oregon has no sales tax and a strong independent-retail culture; the food-cart pods are a genuinely distinctive cash-based placement category here.
With a metro population of 640K in the Pacific Northwest, the districts worth working first are Alberta, Hawthorne, Old Town, St. Johns and Division. 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 — bars & nightclubs lead here.
High cash demand from patrons, concentrated on weekend nights. Tip-driven and surcharge-tolerant.
Ranks higher in Portland because of a dense late-night bar economy.
Steady daily foot traffic with cash-dependent customers. Strongest in residential areas away from bank branches.
Ranks higher in Portland because of high public-transit use.
Customers arrive expecting a cash transaction. Among the highest-intent ATM environments there is.
Ranks higher in Portland because of high public-transit use and heavy manufacturing and warehouse employment.
Machines require coins or cards bought with cash. Built-in demand and long dwell times.
Ranks higher in Portland because of high public-transit use and heavy manufacturing and warehouse employment.
High volume, especially on commuter and highway routes. Look for sites without an existing ATM.
Ranks higher in Portland because of heavy manufacturing and warehouse employment.
Tip-heavy dining drives ATM use, particularly at independents with card minimums.
Ranks higher in Portland because of a dense late-night bar economy and high public-transit use.
Cash-heavy by regulation and by habit, with consistent repeat traffic. Often overlooked by larger operators.
Ranks higher in Portland because of a dense late-night bar economy.
Concerts, festivals and fairs drive very high per-visit ATM usage. Seasonal but highly profitable.
Ranks higher in Portland because of a dense late-night bar economy.
Regular weekly visitors. Target independent grocers — chains usually have their own machines.
Ranks higher in Portland because of high public-transit use.
Cash tipping is still the norm. An underserved category with little ATM competition.
Ranks higher in Portland because of a dense late-night bar economy.
Travellers need cash for tips, taxis and local spending. 24-hour lobby access is a major advantage.
Many shops offer cash discounts, and wait times keep customers on site.
Ranks higher in Portland because of heavy manufacturing and warehouse employment.
We estimate $310–$570 per month in gross surcharge revenue for a well-placed machine in Portland. That starts from a national baseline and adjusts for dense late-night venues and high pedestrian traffic, plus the metro population of 640K.
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 Portland, bars & nightclubs, convenience stores, check cashing & money services rank highest, largely because of a dense late-night bar economy. The strongest districts to work are Alberta, Hawthorne, Old Town, St. Johns and Division. Oregon has no sales tax and a strong independent-retail culture; the food-cart pods are a genuinely distinctive cash-based placement category here.
A well-placed machine in Portland is estimated at $310–$570 per month in gross surcharge revenue. That range starts from a national baseline and adjusts for dense late-night venues and high pedestrian traffic — 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.
Portland is driven by athletic apparel, semiconductors, food and beverage production. Oregon has no sales tax and a strong independent-retail culture; the food-cart pods are a genuinely distinctive cash-based placement category here. Competition concentrates in the highest-traffic corridors, so operators generally do better working outward from Division 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.