Why should I run a year-end ATM route checkup before 2026?
Year-end is the easiest time to step back and see if your route is really making money. You have a full year of numbers, so patterns in volume, profit, and downtime are much clearer. A quick review now helps you decide what to fix, move, or grow in 2026 instead of guessing.
If you want a second opinion on your year-end figures, share your numbers with the ATMTrader team and we can help you review your route.
What core ATM business KPIs should I focus on?
You only need a few simple KPIs to see how healthy your route is:
- Withdrawals per month per machine
- Net profit per machine
- Surcharge yield
- Cancel rate
- Downtime
Start with these. If one of them looks weak, then dig deeper. If you are unsure which KPIs matter most for your setup, contact ATMTrader and we can help you build a focused list.
How do I calculate ATM profit per machine in a simple way?
For each ATM, start with all income, then subtract all costs:
- Surcharge revenue
- Plus interchange or other income
- Minus processor fees and location share
- Minus cash handling, paper, and routine service
What is left is your net profit per month for that machine. If you would like help building a simple profit-per-machine calculator, reach out to ATMTrader and our team can walk you through it.
Is there a simple KPI worksheet I can use for my year-end ATM reporting checklist?
Yes, keep it to one page. For each ATM, track:
- Withdrawals per month
- Cancel rate
- Downtime
- Surcharge amount
- Surcharge yield
- Net profit per month
Once filled in, you can quickly see your best and worst performers.
If you want a basic worksheet template you can copy, email ATMTrader with your sample numbers and we can share a simple KPI layout.
What are the biggest red flags in ATM route performance?
Watch for machines that show one or more of these signs:
- Falling withdrawals, while the business is still busy
- Rising cancel rate at the fee screen
- Shrinking net profit
- Frequent downtime or repeat service calls
If a unit shows these issues for several months, it needs attention.
How do downtime and service issues show up in the KPIs?
Downtime hurts more than just your uptime percentage. You will usually see fewer withdrawals, lost surcharge income during busy times, and higher emergency service costs. Over time, locations lose patience if the machine is down too often.
If a few machines are always out of service, talk to ATMTrader about parts, maintenance plans, or repair options that can reduce surprise downtime.
How can I use surcharge yield as a quick health check on ATM route performance?
Surcharge yield shows how hard each ATM is working for you. The idea is simple: surcharge amount multiplied by completed withdrawals. Compare similar locations. If two sites look alike but one has much lower yield, something is off, such as pricing, trust, or downtime.
If you want a sanity check on your surcharge yield and fee levels, contact ATMTrader and we can review your data with you.
How do I turn this into a quick year-end ATM reporting checklist?
Turn your worksheet into a short checklist:
- Update year-to-date KPIs for every machine.
- Rank machines by net profit per month.
- Flag weak units with low volume, high cancels, or high downtime.
- Review surcharge levels on top and bottom performers.
Set a few clear goals for Q1 2026, for example improving profit on your bottom five ATMs. This gives you a simple route “snapshot” you can repeat every year.
What quick wins can I act on before the new year?
You can still make small improvements before 2026 starts:
- Refresh ATM signage and visibility
- Check paper and do a quick clean
- Fix small hardware issues you have been delaying
Review surcharge settings on best and worst performers. These light changes can help your first quarter numbers without a full rebuild. If you want help picking the quickest wins for your route, share your bottom-performing machines with ATMTrader and we can help you decide what to do first.
Can ATMTrader help me review my KPIs and route plan for 2026?
Yes. If you want a neutral review, the ATMTrader team can look at your KPI sheet, portal exports, or a simple summary and help you spot gaps in profit per machine, cancel rate, and downtime patterns.
If your plan for 2026 includes adding locations or acquiring a larger route, it’s also worth reviewing NationalLink’s operator resources on building and scaling an ATM business, plus portfolio acquisition and management support.
If you are ready for a year-end ATM route checkup, contact ATMTrader, send your key KPIs, and we will help you get your route ready for 2026.
