40 Best Kiosk Small Business Ideas
Looking to start a kiosk business but not quite sure what to start?
The good news is, there are many kiosk ideas you can start in 2024 and build a successful business.
If you're looking to start your own kiosk business, we found several low-capital options you can choose from.
Here they are:
1. Start a coffee kiosk
Coffee kiosks sell specialty coffee, including espresso, and lattes, and can include a variety of pastries and other goodies as accompaniments.
There are three basic options for starting a coffee kiosk:
-Purchase a franchise: Jumping in with a built-in business model - Buy an existing coffee kiosk: investing in a coffee kiosk that is up for sale or needs revamping to become profitable - Start from scratch: this requires more effort but offers more flexibility and potential to maximize profits.
Opening a coffee kiosk can be extremely profitable, but if you find a good location, you can set up a relaxing atmosphere. If you plan to open a coffee kiosk, ensure you serve quality coffees and snacks, and provide work-friendly features.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.
2. Start a chocolate kiosk
Do you love crafting fine chocolate and other candies? Then starting a chocolate kiosk can be a fun and rewarding business opportunity.
To start, define the target customers and find an ideal location. Then, determine the type of chocolate you will sell and decorate your chocolate kiosk appropriately.
Finally, focus on serving quality and tasty chocolate to acquire customer loyalty.
3. Start a t-shirt customization kiosk
One of the great things about starting a T-shirt customization business is that you only need a minimal overhead, and you could do it out of your backyard without issues.
However, before you ask how to start a T-shirt customization business in Mumbai, take a minute to consider why you want to create a T-shirt business. Probably the promotional products or uniforms niche is under-served in your area.
Before starting, you should outline your foray into the T-shirt customization business. Then, you need to identify the target market to understand better how you want to sell your customized t-shirts.
Once you have defined the niche market, you can develop custom designs as per the customers’ expectations. The following steps will be making the business legal and determining the overhead. Finally, market the business but do not overextend yourself financially.
4. Start a mobile phone cases & accessories kiosk
The increasing adoption of mobile phones and other handheld devices has created a secondary demand for phone accessories. Experts project the mobile phone accessories market will reach $166 Billion in the next decade.
High-demand mobile phone accessories include phone cases, batteries, headphones, portable speakers, etc.
Opening a mobile phone accessories kiosk can be a profitable way to make money. Do you plan to start a mobile phone accessories kiosk? Find a busy shopping mall where people buy phones. You can sell mobile phone accessories in retail or wholesale only.
How much you can make: $125,000/month
Phone Loops founder Jean-Philippe Brousseau developed and launched his first product after realizing how often he dropped his phone and caused costly repairs, and to date, the company has sold over one million Loops in 66 countries.
5. Start a photo & album frame kiosk
Are you looking for a creative business idea you can start with low capital? How about photo framing and album business? Photo framing businesses often begin as part-time but can grow into full-time businesses.
Market trends data show the digital photo frame market share will rise above $60 million in the next few years. Factors propelling increased demand include the display of artwork, framing of mirrors, and photography framing.
Therefore, starting a photo & album frame kiosk can be a great business opportunity. To start, you can set up a local kiosk or choose to operate from a shopping mall where photography is thriving. Partner with local photographers to help you push more sales.
How much you can make: $27,400 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Matboard and More is a picture framing company that allows for unlimited choices and customization when it comes to framing supplies for any type of art, and is self-funded with an initial investment of $50,000 that led to a successful AdWords campaign and a massive focus on quality, service, and the customer experience.
6. Start a jewelry retail kiosk
Starting a jewelry retail kiosk can be a lucrative and engaging business. Jewelry kiosks across the country have been growing rapidly. Jewelry retailers buy stocks online at cheaper prices and sell locally at a profit. Besides, the online jewelry wholesalers offer a unique and much larger jewelry selection.
The United States jewelry market was valued at about $76B in 2020. Diamond jewelry is the most valuable jewelry market in the United States. Starting a jewelry kiosk can be extremely profitable. But to do this, you need a great e-commerce platform.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $287,000/month
Mazi + Zo offers high-quality and modern jewelry for sorority sisters and other women, developed by founder Lizzy Klein after discovering a lack of stylish options in the market, and is now expanding into the broader market with organic social media being the most successful channel.
7. Start a barber shop
Are you passionate about men’s grooming and looking to start a low-investment business with a high-profit margin? A barbershop can be a great business idea since it will never hit a low a season. Men and boys always look for grooming, no matter how bad the economy is.
Therefore, starting a barbershop can be a profitable business venture.
How much you can make: $125,000/month
Antonio Camilleri built Antonio's Barber Shop from a small two-chair operation to two locations servicing over 250 daily clients and €1.5M in annual revenue with a product line generating a 30% profit.
8. Start an eye wear store
The global eyewear market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4% over the next few years. The growth is because of the changing lifestyle patterns and increased adoption of luxurious accessories.
Therefore, starting an eyewear store can be a profitable business. An eyewear shop sells sunglasses, contact lenses, and eye protection wears.
How much you can make: $3,352 — $100,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Tomahawk Shades, co-founded by Andrew Shapiro and his twin brother, Ryan Shapiro, is an eyewear brand that has seen a 175% increase in sales year over year, focusing on small batches of quality acetate, with an e-commerce business acting as its main area of focus to release new ideas and products.
9. Start a baby products kiosk
Are you a stay-at-home mom or someone who loves babies and looking for a business idea? Baby products business can be fun and profitable business. To start, you would target the moms around you. You can buy baby products in bulk through Amazon or eBay and sell them at retail price for profit.
Different baby products you can sell include baby care products, baby food, and formula, baby furniture, clothing, and toys.
How much you can make: $9,000 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 247 days (?)
Husband and wife team from Colorado started Parker Baby Co. in 2015, specializing in practical baby products that experienced rapid sales growth of 300%, 87%, and 48% in 2017-2019 and is expecting more than 65% growth in 2020, with $325k monthly earnings.
10. Start a bedding & pillow kiosk
A bedding & pillow sales kiosk business sells mattress covers, fitted sheets, flat sheets, pillowcases, comforters, shams, quilts, and bed skirts.
Research has shown that the global home bedding market size will expand at a compound annual growth rate of 7.9% in the next decade.
The growth in demand attributes to the boom in the housing sector and the growing consumer spending on home furnishings, which have expanded the growth scenario for the market.
Therefore, a sales professional looking for the best sales business idea stands a chance to increase their income if they start the bedding & pillow sales kiosk business. To start your bedding & pillow sales kiosk business you need skills and the knowledge of sourcing good designs and high-quality materials. Also, you need proper negotiation skills so you can maximize your profit margins.
Follow these steps to start your bedding & pillow sales kiosk business.
- Decide how much you are willing to invest
- Research the market
- Come up a name for your bedding kiosk
- Choose a strategic location
- Acquire business licenses
- Get the required insurance for your business
- Obtain inventory for your kiosk
When you have your bedding & pillow sales kiosk business running, you can scale your sales by showcasing your beddings with professionally edited photos. In addition, sell your bedding online, in-person, and in whatever channel your target consumers feel convenient to use.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $200,000/month
Sheets & Giggles, an eco-friendly bedding brand, earned nearly $500,000 and 6,000 orders in the first 6 months of business through Indiegogo, and utilizes pun-based marketing and a DTC model to tap into a fragmented, low brand loyalty market.
11. Start a perfume retail kiosk
The global perfume market is growing rapidly, a trend attributed to increased awareness of luxury and exotic fragrances. Among the end users, the fragrance market is segmented into male, female, and unisex. However, the females account for a higher value luxury perfume market share.
To start a perfume kiosk, understand the market potential and conduct proper research. Select a niche and an ideal location for your perfume business. To keep the business running, create a sourcing plan and scout the competition.
How much you can make: $19,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Founder Rafael Hernandez launched Alfred Lane, a line of handcrafted personal and home fragrances, generating $19k in monthly revenue with 50% attributed to online and wholesale sales, while expanding to 65 stores across 6 countries and expanding to Europe and South America.
12. Start a popcorn kiosk
A popcorn kiosk is a mini food stand that sells ready-to-serve steamed corns. You can open a popcorn kiosk indoors or outdoors.
To start a popcorn kiosk, find a high-traffic shopping mall and rent front shop space. Popcorn kiosks can also do well if located at the movie theater entrance. You can make popcorn in bulk and sell it to wholesalers or supermarkets.
How much you can make: $4,500/month
Klondike Kettle Corn, a gourmet popcorn company in the Yukon Territory, has grown its revenue by 67% and its Q1 revenue is up 39% from last year, by expanding its product line and collaborating with local businesses, while maintaining a strong social media presence.
13. Start a snack food kiosk
A snack kiosk is a small to medium-sized booth for holding, preparing, and selling confectionery, quick-service food, and beverages. If you plan to start a snack food kiosk, identify a strategic location with high traffic.
Selling high-quality snack foods will help you attract more customers and retain them.
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
14. Start a candy kiosk
Do you love candy-making and looking for a profitable but low-capital business to start? Candy kiosk is an easy-to-go business venture you may initiate with less capital.
Candy sales kiosks thrive in busy areas where there is high foot traffic. The best locations can be next to a bus stop, college, hospitals, or other places where you may find impulse buying consumers. To increase sales, consider offering a free delivery service.
15. Start a fresh juice kiosk
Juice kiosks serve fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies direct to the consumer. If you enjoy juice blending and are looking for a low-cost and high-profit business, consider starting your juice kiosks.
The juice kiosks should be within a busy street and focus on selling high-quality juice to the consumers.
Before you open your juice kiosk, learn the ins and outs of the juice business. To attract and retain customers, provide convenient juice packaging.
16. Start a fast food business
Fast food kiosks utilize ordering kiosks where patrons order food before taking a seat. The business model cuts the wait times by offering faster service and sending orders directly to the kitchen.
Starting a food kiosk allows you to reach a wider audience and comes with a reduced burden on staff. Therefore, food kiosks are a low-expense business with the potential to generate higher profits.
How much you can make: $124,998/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Andrew Buehler launched Urban Smokehouse, the world’s first digitally native BBQ brand, through a Summer Kickstarter campaign, raising over $30,000 in pre-orders; since then, the company has achieved monthly sales of over $5,000 split between their website and in-person pop-ups and events, relying heavily on word of mouth and organic social media.
17. Start a movie posters kiosk
Do you have a passion for movies and looking to turn your passion into a business but are not sure of the idea? How about printing movie-themed posters and selling them to other movie fans near you? Starting a movie posters business can be a fun and a great way to earn money.
To start, find trending movies and print images of the movie characters and scenes from the movie. You can sell the movie posters outside movie theaters or online.
18. Start a mobile phone repair kiosk
A cellphone repair kiosk is a low-startup cost business; hence easy to start. However, the profit margins may be low as you start the business, but they increase over time as you become well-known and successful.
To start a mobile phone repair kiosk, find streets with high foot traffic, and open a store. Advertise your business widely to get more foot traffic to your shop.
19. Start a paint & wallpaper kiosk
Are you interested in starting a décor and design business? Painting and wallpapers are typical interior and exterior décor ideas today. Thus, starting a paint and wallpaper business can be a profitable venture.
To start, learn the basics of house painting and wallpaper design, and research the market potential in your target areas. To grow your business fast, target property developers in your area and homeowners who may be renovating their spaces.
20. Start a corn kiosk
Corn kiosks are compact and convenient kiosks that feature a built-in cup holder for convenience. The corn kiosk operator makes sweet corn and sell’s it to local customers. Some corn kiosks have popcorn machines.
To start a corn kiosk, find a street or a mall with high traffic of people who will be your potential customers. Take note of any detail you may encounter while preparing your corn kiosk.
21. Start a flowers kiosk
Are you a passionate florist looking for an opportunity to start your own business? Running a flower shop does not require much capital and can be highly profitable.
As a flower kiosk owner, you must spend time and money advertising your business to attract new customers. Focus on lead generation and entice the customers to remain loyal. To improve your margins, shop around for best offers from flower suppliers and target the prime customers.
How much you can make: $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Green Fresh Florals + Plants owner and creative director Carlos Franco explains how he built a unique, authentic, and profitable modern flower and plant shop in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood, growing from one employee to a $120k per month business through customer service, a focus on design, and a deep love for his craft.
22. Start an artwork kiosk
Artwork kiosks sell traditional landscape paintings, abstract paintings, pop art, graffiti, nude paintings, etc. According to statistics, the global art market is snowballing. Homeowners and business owners are among the largest consumers of artwork.
Thus, starting an artwork kiosk can be profitable. Getting started is easy. Make sure you find an ideal location where you can display the artwork and catch the customer’s attention. To boost sales, ensure you have an active online presence and share the artwork in online galleries.
23. Start a gift shop kiosk
The gifting culture is a trend that will not end anytime soon. People will look for customized or surprise gifts for their friends, parents, relatives, and colleagues.
Do you love the gifting tradition and looking for a chance to help others improve their gifting experiences? Maybe you can start a gift kiosk in your neighborhood.
A Gift kiosk sells greeting cards, books, candy, jewelry, fragrance, inspirational gifts, and baby and fashion items. To start, identify the niche, and set up the shop at a strategic location. It would be best to have high-quality suppliers so your business stands out and attracts return customers.
How much you can make: $800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Meet Tyler Macke, the 21-year-old founder of SendAFriend, an e-commerce brand that sells stuffed animal care packages, which began with $50k in revenue in 2019 and is now on track to make $5M in revenue this year, while donating 10% of revenue to children's hospitals throughout the United States.
24. Start a makeup artistry kiosk
A makeup artistry kiosk offers general makeup services, including facial aesthetics, thorough makeup, and creating custom looks for their customers.
If you are a makeup artist, you start a makeup artistry kiosk and serve clients from the kiosk, their homes, or offices. Starting a makeup artistry kiosk is a low-cost business with a high potential to earn good profits.
To stand out as a professional makeup artist, keep up with the developments in the cosmetology industry, and focus on providing personalized customer service.
25. Start a donuts kiosk
With the busy lifestyle, donut kiosks have become a favorite place for a quick and convenient way to grab snacks and coffee. Located near train and bus stations, donut kiosks have become a staple of many people’s morning routines.
Thus, starting a donut store can be a great business idea. Create a good business idea for your donut store and find a good business location, preferably in areas where there is high foot traffic. Equip the establishment with everything you need to make delicious donuts.
26. Start a cake & cupcakes kiosk
A cupcake kiosk is a type of smaller cake shop where you sell pre-baked cupcakes and cookies.
If you love baking and are interested in a business with a low barrier to entry, consider starting a cupcake kiosk. To start, ensure you have a good business plan that lists your target customers. Take images of your cupcakes and use them as promotional materials inside and outside the kiosk.
27. Start a sporting equipment kiosk
The global sports equipment market is expected to exceed 350 billion in the next few years. The growth is attributed to increased demand for sporting equipment, especially by the health-conscious population. Thus, starting a sports equipment kiosk can be rewarding and fun.
If starting a sports equipment kiosk, research the market and partner with sports clubs to become their supplier.
28. Start an electronic check-in kiosk
An electronic check-in kiosk is used for informational purposes and to provide access to maximizing efficiency, reducing wait times, and enhancing the overall customer experience.
As businesses seek to improve their efficiency, especially in serving customers, they adopt various mechanisms. A good example is the electronic check-in kiosks. The electronic kiosks provide access, maximize efficiency, and reduce wait times, hence enhancing users' experience.
If you are interested in a business that seeks to help companies improve service efficiency, you can consider an electronic check-in kiosk. You source the electronic check-in kiosks from a manufacturer and sell to compaies, or build customized solutions for your customers.
29. Start a vr & ar experience kiosk
VR and AR kiosks are evolving quickly as customers embrace the technology to change how they shop. The AR and VR devices have not yet reached critical mass in the marketplace.
While many AR and VR experiences still revolve around using smartphones, there are plenty of opportunities for kiosks in the space. Therefore, starting a VR/AR experience kiosk can be a profitable venture.
30. Start a temporary tatoos kiosk
Starting a tattoo business is not as difficult as you might think. If you have the talent, ability, and guts, you already have the most important qualities for starting your own tattoo company. Tattoo Artists in the US Market Size in 2022 is $1.4B.
The tattooing business is profitable and popular, and it is one of the most rewarding careers that you can have. However, starting a tattoo kiosk requires a lot of commitment and hard work.
Tattoo shops have strict standards for artists who work in shops, so to have an ideal career as an artist, you might have to go the freelance route. It can be a short-term or long-term career, so you must be prepared before taking on such a responsibility. It won't come with a million-dollar salary at first, but once you've developed a good reputation and have completed enough work, the money will start rolling in.
How much you can make: $1,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Forgotten Mermaids creator Anslea shares how she started a passive income business while living out of a van, creating mermaid temporary tattoos and accessories, and has grown to average $1,000 per month in mostly passive income over the last six months.
31. Start a cosmetics retailing kiosk
The cosmetic industry is growing rapidly. Starting a cosmetic kiosk can be highly profitable, but only if you stock trendy, skin-friendly products.
If you are passionate about the beauty industry, consider starting a cosmetics kiosk.
Cosmetic kiosks sell products ranging from anti-aging, aromatherapy, lotions, beauty spa, cosmetic store, and even make-up.
To start a cosmetic kiosk, research the market and source products from well-known brands in the beauty industry.
32. Start a toys kiosk
Toy kiosks sell entertainment products for children. You can start a toy kiosk at a shopping mall or near residential locations, depending on where your target customers frequent.
If you are starting a toy kiosk, remember competition in the toy market is fierce. Thus, it would help if you differentiated yourself from the competition to make your place. One way to stand out from the competition is to open a specialized toy store, targeting a specific market.
Alternatively, you can negotiate better discounts from the suppliers and sell at unbeatable lower prices while delivering quality toys.
How much you can make: $250,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
Discover how Rachel Ritlop's lifestyle blog for millennials, The Confused Millennial, generated 6 figures annually, reaching over 2 million people in less than 3 years, leading to a $10k per month consulting business.
33. Start an ear piercing kiosk
Ear piercing tradition has been with us for a long time. Today, both men and women pierce their ears in a bid to add some beauty to their look.
If you are in the beauty industry, you probably would want to start a low-investment business with a high-profit margin. A suitable business idea might be the ear-piercing kiosk.
To start an ear piercing kiosk, find a good location and apply for the required business permits. Ensure you practice proper hygiene and professionalism to keep the customers referring their friends and relatives to you.
34. Start a clothing retail kiosk
Clothing kiosks sell items of ready-made clothing. A clothing kiosk can specialize in men’s or women’s clothing or opt to sell uniforms. Some clothing kiosks sell customized or designer clothes, while others sell only sports apparel.
If you are interested in the fashion industry, you may want to start a clothing kiosk to test the waters before jumping full-time into the textile industry.
35. Start a handbags retail kiosk
A handbag kiosk is a good place for men and women to buy beautiful handbags for different occasions. With the handbag market growing rapidly, starting a handbag kiosk business can be an excellent entrepreneurship opportunity.
To start, identify the target market, and choose an ideal location for your business. You may target a shopping mall near you or a clothing shopping center with high traffic of potential buyers.
How long does it take to build: 29 days (?)
36. Start an used books retail kiosk
The global second-hand books will evolve at a CAGR of 6.6% over the next few years. If you want to start a used book shop, now is a great time to profit from the business.
To start a used book shop, you may source the books from overseas or purchase them locally. Your business will target the local book lovers looking to read more books. Your used book kiosk can be located in a shopping mall or a residential location.
37. Start an used electronics business
You can sell pre-used electronics online or set up a brick-and-mortar establishment. You can choose to specialize in a niche or sell everything from used computers, televisions, stereos, and gaming systems.
What is essential is researching the pre-owned electronics business. Set specific goals and limits for your business and work towards the goals. Find the niche that works best for you and explore it until you find success.
38. Start a 3d printing kiosk
The growing demand for prototyping applications from various industries, including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, etc., has contributed immensely to the success of 3D printing businesses.
The 3D printing market offers different niches in which you can develop your business. To start a 3D printing business, decide which market to target and the type of printer you will need for the business.
39. Start a tea kiosk
Tea shops can be incredibly rewarding and very profitable. However, to succeed, you must sell quality tea and ensure a unique serving. Besides, choose a unique location for your business and offer outstanding customer service.
40. Start a shoe retail kiosk
A shoe store is a lucrative business but requires planning and a good deal of preparation. To start a shoe kiosk, find a target niche market and prepare a business plan. You will need permits and licenses before opening the business to your customers.
Market your business through social media and other online platforms to attract customers.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
