Niko, I am a newbe to this sight although not to vending, I hope this helps.
My advise is to use a charity to assit you with machine placements, this works well enough.
Niko, I have no idea what your personal financial situation is like at present,
this will play a major role to how you perceive my answer. Again I hope this helps.
Over all, "do" try to stay clear of franchised vending services/sales.
They're way too expensive and you may be paying interest on the deal??
If you feel you're not getting a great deal of support at present, dump them.
You can save alot of your hard earned money by purchasing second hand
machines for much less, individually, or purchase an existing round and
continue to build it up yourself. Yes, this requires more effort on your part, you
will have to work just as hard buying into a franchised situation, so beware!
I will bet you can purchase brand new machines for for less than a franchise offer anyway.
The bottom line is to do it yourself, with help from experienced vendors of this forum,
you should come out on top. You'll own the machines outright, you'll answer to no one, and
if you have to sell up any time down the track, you can make a profit for yourself.

All the best!

I have found the idea of a charity attached works well. I also have had great success knocking doors.
I bring along with me an A4 page size colour photo copy picture of myself standing next to my machine, instead of a standard business card that store owners have seen hundreds of times before. Anyway, if I can't speak with the decision maker (shop owner/manager) right then, I leave the counter person a copy to pass on for me. The picture is at the top half of the sheet and my message is on the bottom half.
My message says- Hi my name is Allen, I own a reliable vending business, I work hard to feed my family like everyone else. The reason you have my picture is because I visited your store the other day and sadly I missed you. I was looking forward to meeting you in person. To make a long story short because your time is valued. I would like to place my small mechanical vending machine somewhere in your shop, this is how I earn my income, from other peoples pocket change. I locate & service my machines myself because I can't afford to pay business locators to do it for me, they charge at least $50. per machine to locate. What I am about to say to you now is not a bribe, I am going to pay you $25. so I can place my machine in your shop, have a meal and a drink on me. I save $25. bucks and every bodies happy. I am serious. What do you say? Give me a call, this is my number 555-5555.