For business owners considering adding a toy crane machine, understanding the daily operating cost is crucial for profitability. The average daily cost typically ranges from $10 to $50, but this figure depends on several key factors.

The primary expense is often the location fee or commission, which is usually a percentage of revenue (20-50%) or a fixed weekly/monthly rent. This is your largest variable cost. Next, electricity consumption is relatively low; a standard crane machine uses about 150-300 watts, costing roughly $0.50 to $1.50 per day to run continuously.

Prize restocking is a recurring operational cost. The daily expense depends on the quality and wholesale price of your plush toys or items and how frequently players win. Budgeting $5 to $20 per day for prizes is a common range. Don't forget maintenance and repairs. Setting aside a small daily reserve (e.g., $1-$3) for occasional joystick, claw, or coin mechanism issues is prudent.

Therefore, a basic daily cost breakdown for a moderately busy location might look like: Location Share: $15, Electricity: $1, Prizes: $10, Maintenance Reserve: $2, totaling around $28 per day. To cover this cost, the machine needs to generate sufficient revenue. With plays averaging $1-2, the break-even point is often 15-30 plays per day. Maximizing profit involves strategic prize selection, effective machine placement, regular maintenance, and adjusting claw strength to balance customer satisfaction with your cost structure.