5 Businesses That Need An ATM
BFC Enterprises • July 6, 2025
Despite the increasing array of payment methods available today, cash is still very much alive. With over $2.3 trillion in U.S. physical currency in circulation, cash ranks as the third most popular payment method just behind debit and credit cards.
While payment trends evolve, cash remains a top choice – especially among Millennials and Baby Boomers – who continue to rely on it for everyday transactions, according to the Federal Reserve Diary of Consumer Payment Choice.
While payment trends evolve, cash remains a top choice – especially among Millennials and Baby Boomers – who continue to rely on it for everyday transactions, according to the Federal Reserve Diary of Consumer Payment Choice.
Armed with this data, here are the five businesses that can benefit the most from having convenient ATM access for customers:
Convenience Stores
In a recent
state of the industry report, the convenience store industry in the U.S. are thriving with more than 165 million daily visits and in-store sales reaching $335.5 billion in 2024, driven largely by foodservice growth. Despite digital payment trends,
94% of Americans use cash when purchasing items from convenience stores. This staggering static makes having an ATM on-site not just a customer convenience, it aligns with consumer behavior for business owners in this industry. With nearly
2/3 of in-store shoppers preferring cash payments, investing in accessible ATMs is a smart move.
Arcades
There is no denying the gaming industry is hot. With more arcades and amusement businesses opening every day – many providing a mix of nostalgic gaming and the quickly evolving VR genre – Millennials and Gen Z are undeniably a huge part of the market. The U.S. arcade gaming market reached $13.61 billion in 2024, is expected to grow modestly to $13.73 billion in 2025 and then rise dramatically by 2029 to $16.36 billion. While card acceptance is increasing at amusement facilities, cash is still the preferred payment method – and owners of any entertainment genre is missing out on sales without convenient, cash acceptance being readily available.
There is no denying the gaming industry is hot. With more arcades and amusement businesses opening every day – many providing a mix of nostalgic gaming and the quickly evolving VR genre – Millennials and Gen Z are undeniably a huge part of the market. The U.S. arcade gaming market reached $13.61 billion in 2024, is expected to grow modestly to $13.73 billion in 2025 and then rise dramatically by 2029 to $16.36 billion. While card acceptance is increasing at amusement facilities, cash is still the preferred payment method – and owners of any entertainment genre is missing out on sales without convenient, cash acceptance being readily available.
Hair Salons / Barber Shops
Hair care still reigns in the beauty industry as being a lucrative business, with a projected growth rate of 2.6% over the last five years. Hair care tops the beauty industry segments with a solid 950,000 locations in the U.S., according to a 2023 analysis. Hair salons and barber shops are typical small business owners who prefer cash for each transaction – eliminating credit card fees, improved cash flow and can lead to better tipping from clients.
Hair care still reigns in the beauty industry as being a lucrative business, with a projected growth rate of 2.6% over the last five years. Hair care tops the beauty industry segments with a solid 950,000 locations in the U.S., according to a 2023 analysis. Hair salons and barber shops are typical small business owners who prefer cash for each transaction – eliminating credit card fees, improved cash flow and can lead to better tipping from clients.
Nail Salons
Similar to hair salon and barbershops, nail salons are small businesses and need the ability to give consumers access to cash. In 2023,
$2.83 billion was spent at nail care businesses, and the market is only
expected to grow larger with an additional 25,100 manicurists and pedicurists expected to enter the industry by 2033. As the nail salon industry continues to grow, offering easy cash access can help businesses save money, increase tips, and improve customer satisfaction.
Thrift Stores
Most thrift store owners know the profits can be big. TV shows like “Storage Wars” have made that knowledge public. With
$17 billion in annual revenues, thrift stores are pulling in big profits one dollar at a time. Consumers love a bargain and thrift stores are known for impulse shopping. Tax season is a huge player in the thrift store game, but thrift stores are known to do well through any economic condition. In great times they get more donations and in lesser times they will make more sales with people pinching every penny. Fees for processing any other method besides cash can pile up on the average store owner. An ATM allows both the customer and business owner to profit on this steady stream of income.
Cash purchases add up to big sales in each of these industries. By supplying customers with convenient access to cash, business owners can take advantage of additional sales.
To learn more about providing customers with ATM services,
contact BFC Enterprises today.
Be sure to ask if you qualify for a free, turn-key ATM.
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