The present invention provides a vending machine control program rewriting system that facilitates the rewriting of a control program in the vending machine. The vending machine comprises a communication controller which receives a new control program sent from a host computer 200 at a remote location. The memory storing the control program is a rewritable memory. The current control program in the rewritable memory is easily rewritten to the new one of the control program sent from the host computer. The control program rewrite is readily performed, making it possible to greatly reduce the time and trouble required for updating the control program in the vending machine.