A national survey of 1,654 U.S. consumers from The Vending Company offers a clear picture of how Americans view snacks and fizzy drinks in 2025, and the results have big implications for both vending operators and office managers.
This new data provides a roadmap for boosting sales, optimizing your product mix, and matching snacks and sodas to the right customers.
Here are the top seven insights that came out of the data set.
Pepsi Narrowly Edges Out Coke
Pepsi beat Coca-Cola by a narrow margin overall, thanks in large part to Gen X voters. In contrast, younger adults leaned more toward Coke and Coke Zero.
What this means for vending:
If your machines are in warehouses, municipal offices, or factories with older staff, Pepsi can outperform Coca Cola. However, if your machines are located on college campuses, trade schools, or luxury apartment buildings, Coca Cola may be your best bet.
The best option? Stock both Pepsi and Coke, because these colas ranked #1 and #2 in our survey, with Pepsi beating out Coke by a narrow margin. The battle for cola dominance is truly a coin flip.
Doritos Come Up on Top
Doritos came in as the top snack overall and was particularly popular among Millennials, the generation that makes up a large part of today’s workforce.
What this means for vending:
Doritos are a no-brainer salty snack option for most vending locations, especially in white-collar offices or high-traffic break rooms. You could also consider offering rotating Dorito flavors — like Spicy Nacho — that keep the brand feeling fresh and increase repeat purchases.
Salty Snacks Dominate America’s Vending Preferences
Eight of the ten most popular snacks were salty or savory. Chips, crackers, and other crunchy, salty snacks overwhelmingly won over sweet treats like pastries, cookies, and granola bars.
The top ten snacks of our survey included:
- Doritos (salty)
- Ruffles (salty)
- Lay’s Potato Chips (salty)
- Cheez-Its (salty)
- Pringles (salty)
- Oreo (sweet)
- Cheetos (salty)
- Fritos (salty)
- Ritz Crackers (salty)
- Pop-Tarts (sweet)
What this means for vending:
If you have to choose between salty and sweet, weigh your inventory more heavily towards salty snacks (roughly 60-40 or even 70-30). Think Lay’s, Ruffles, Cheez-Its, Pringles, and Cheetos. Offer a variety of savory flavors, from plain potato chips to cheesy Cheetos and Doritos.
Sweet items still matter, but they shouldn’t take up too much of your inventory.
Cola is Still King (Including Diet and Zero Sugar Options)
Cola-based sodas made up the majority of the top 10 soda preferences among survey respondents. Consumers still love the cola flavor, but many are reaching for diet and sugar free options as well.
What this means for vending:
Don’t just stock standard Coke and Pepsi. Include at least one diet and one zero-sugar cola in each machine. These options appeal to health-conscious customers and satisfy the urge to snack without adding sugary calories to their diet.
7UP and Citrus Sodas Offer Strong Performance
7UP ranked third overall in soda preferences, higher than Sprite or Dr. Pepper. It performed especially well among younger and middle-aged adults.
What this means for vending:
Free up space for at least one non-cola option, especially citrus or clear sodas like 7UP, Starry, or Sprite. Pairing a salty snack with a beverage like Sprite or 7UP is an enjoyable experience for those who don’t enjoy caffeine or colas. They’re a great alternative for customers who want a lighter, less intense beverage.
Nostalgic Snacks Still Move Product
Snacks like Zebra Cakes, Ding Dongs, and Cosmic Brownies performed well among older adults. These brands may not be trendy, but they still earn loyal sales.
What this means for vending:
In locations with an older workforce, keeping 1–2 nostalgic items in the mix can spark impulse buys. The products won’t be your top sellers, but they can spark impulse purchases for someone who needs a little pick-me-up.
Most Americans Still Snack and Drink Soda Across Every Age Group
Less than 2% of respondents in the survey said they don’t drink soda, and even fewer said they don’t snack! Regardless of age group, soda and snacks are enjoyed by Americans everywhere.
What this means for vending:
Soda and snack consumption remains widespread. Healthier options are gaining traction, but consumers still enjoy classic colas, salty snacks, and the occasional sweet treat.
The key to successful vending in 2025 is to stick to the classics, while sprinkling in healthy options to appeal to every type of consumer.
Key Takeaways
- Your product mix needs to match your audience.
- When in doubt, prioritize salty snacks over sweet snacks.
- Make sure you’re offering diet and zero sugar options to reach your total addressable market
- Include at least one nostalgic snack in older-skewing locations.
The bottom line? Consumer preferences are changing, but no one is abandoning their snack habits altogether. Matching your inventory to the right customer based on the data we’ve provided can give you a competitive edge this year.
This article was contributed to Vending Connection by Emily Scott, co-founder of The Vending Company. She specializes in managing and scaling teams and operations.
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