laundry business business plan

Newly Launched - AI Presentation Maker

Researched by Consultants from Top-Tier Management Companies

AI PPT Maker

Powerpoint Templates

Icon Bundle

Kpi Dashboard

Professional

Business Plans

Swot Analysis

Gantt Chart

Business Proposal

Marketing Plan

Project Management

Business Case

Business Model

Cyber Security

Business PPT

Digital Marketing

Digital Transformation

Human Resources

Product Management

Artificial Intelligence

Company Profile

Acknowledgement PPT

PPT Presentation

Reports Brochures

One Page Pitch

Interview PPT

All Categories

Top 10 Laundry Business Plan Templates With Examples and Samples

Samradni Pradhan

The idea of laundry service is a product of Western culture, where customers go to a store and wash their clothes using a washing machine and detergent. When a single washer doesn't work, laundry services clean the fabric on a larger scale. Hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other locations that need regular fabric cleaning extensively use these services.

Like any other business, a laundry service needs a thorough business plan that includes the objectives and a strategy for achieving them. This plan will encompass operational details, staffing needs, financial evaluation, market analysis, customer assessment, and more. It aims to assess the firm's feasibility comprehensively. A well-executed business plan ppt will aid entrepreneurs in securing capital and loans for maintenance, expansion, and growth.

This blog will discuss the best laundry business plan templates for your company.

Best Laundry Business Plan Templates

Table of contents, 1. executive summary, 2. company overview, 3. industry analysis, 4. customer analysis, 5. competitor analysis, 6. swot analysis, 7. porter's framework, 8. marketing plan, 9. operational plan, 10. financial plan.

Getting clean clothes is only one aspect of laundry – the other is improving the overall service. Furthermore, when launching a laundry business, many possibilities are challenging to track. Our templates are helpful in this situation.

Using our comprehensive business plan template gives your business ideas a canvas and a notebook. These templates were created explicitly with the needs of a laundry and dry-cleaning business plan in mind. This blog will cover details on the top 10 pages of the complete deck. After downloading, you will get 65-page Doc, PDF, and XLS files.

An executive summary should highlight your laundry business's distinctive value proposition, mission, and vision. Investors can swiftly determine the organization's viability by viewing your fundamental goals and essential tactics.

In our Executive Summary section, you will get templates for:

1.1 The Quick Pitch: Provide an impressive and brief introduction, highlighting the key characteristics and value propositions that make your laundry business stand out.

1.2 The Entity Profile: Create an easy-to-understand visual representation of your business structure and unique brand strategically designed to capture the attention of investors and partners.

Download this business plan

(Looking for a specific commercial business plan for your laundry services, look no further than our business plan ! Commercialize your services the right way)

Download this presentation

You may inspire trust in potential investors by clearly representing your company's objectives, culture, and long-term goals. This section is an opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm and dedication, an aspect that lures investors who share your values and vision.

In our Company Overview section, you will get templates for:

2.1 Vision and Mission: Create a compelling mission and vision statement to lead your laundry business to success.

2.2 Company Goals and Objectives: Understand exactly what you want to accomplish with your laundry business, creating a transparent and inspirational roadmap to success.

2.3 Start-up Summary: Provide a glimpse into your laundry business’s history, revealing how it started, how it has been structured, the use of coin-operated machines , and fundamental elements forming the foundation for your creative process.

2.4 Market Gap Analysis and Business Statement: Unlock untold potential in the laundry industry and showcase your unique business brand identity, positioning your brand as a leader.

2.5 Services Portfolio: Showcase a wide range of high-end laundry services .

2.6 Key Success Factors: Identify the key elements defining your laundry business strategy, paving the way to success in design and aesthetics.

(Given the growth of on-demand laundry services, your interest may be piqued to explore our business plan designed especially for those needs, download it right away)

The Industry Analysis section provides an in-depth analysis of the laundry industry’s current state and trends. Investors are looking for high-growth businesses to invest in. This section provides insights into the market size, key industry trends, and new opportunities. It places your laundry business in a position to understand the dynamics of the industry, making it more appealing to investors looking for growth industries to invest in.

In our Industry Analysis section, you will get templates for:

3.1 Market Analysis: Dig deep into the world of laundry, discovering hidden gems and uncovering industry leaders that will shape your business for years.

3.2 Market Trends Tracking: Stay ahead of the rest by keeping an eye on the latest trends to capture the attention of today’s customers.

3.3 Major Challenges and Solutions: Fearlessly take on industry challenges, creating cutting-edge solutions that ensure continuous growth for your laundry business.

3.4 Growth Drivers Identification: Develop strategic plans and identify the crucial factors that will drive your laundry brand to rapid growth and long-term success.

3.5 Geographical Market Analysis: Customise your strategy to the regions in your target market, allowing for smooth growth that aligns with regional preferences and meets unique needs.

(If your business caters to fresh laundry services, we have just the apt resource for you to explore! Download our fresh laundry services business plan template today!)

Understanding your customers is crucial to attracting investors to your business. In this section, demonstrate your understanding of your customers, including their needs, preferences, and characteristics. Investors want to know that you've figured out what kind of market you're in and develop strategies to attract and retain customers.

Our Customer Analysis section offers comprehensive templates for:

4.1 Target Market Definition: Create a crystal clear view of the customer or business segments in which your laundry services excel, ensuring a precise and measurable market approach.

4.2 Buyer Persona Development: Build a detailed profile of your perfect customer, from age and gender to preferences and behaviour. This will help you personalize your services precisely, skillfully meeting your customer’s needs.

4.3 Market Sizing Analysis: Understand the size of your laundry market, calculate the market share that your brand can grab, and paint a picture of the opportunities that are waiting for you in your business environment.

Investors love businesses well-versed in competition and know laundry care growth statistics . This section will give you insights into your competition's strengths and weaknesses. This will help investors evaluate your business’s competitive edge. 

In our Competitor Analysis section, we provide templates for:

5.1 Major Players: Identify and analyze the top competitors and key players driving the laundry market in your area.

5.2 Attributes Comparison: Conduct in-depth research, creating meaningful comparisons of the key characteristics and features that distinguish different laundry products and services on the market, allowing you to position your products strategically.

A SWOT, short for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats- Analysis is a must-have tool if you’re looking to self-assess your business. It helps investors understand your laundry business’s strong suits and weak spots and its external opportunities and threats. On this page, you’ll see how to identify and mitigate your business’s risks while taking advantage of its strengths. This will make your business more attractive to risk-averse investors.

Porter’s Framework looks at the competitive forces in your industry. Investors want to know how your laundry business is positioned in the market and its resilience to competitive pressures. Showcasing your competitive strategies and market positioning can draw in investors looking for businesses with a strong market presence and a long-term competitive advantage.

The Marketing Plan includes information about how to attract and engage customers. Investors are looking for a comprehensive marketing plan that can aid with brand development and building a customer base. A successful marketing plan appeals to individuals and investors who recognize the importance of effective marketing for business growth.

In our Marketing Plan section, we provide templates for:

8.1 Sales Strategy: Create a custom sales plan carefully crafted to exceed your laundry business’s financial goals and aspirations.

8.2 Promotional Strategy: Shine a bright light on your marketing and promotion strategies, creating excitement and a lasting legacy for your laundry brand.

8.3 Pricing Strategy: Discover the secret to your pricing strategy that seamlessly combines profitability and unmatched competitiveness, setting the benchmark in the laundry industry.

8.4 Sales Funnel Optimization: Navigate the captivating experience from discovery to customer satisfaction with the laundromat's business growth . Optimize every sales funnel stage to maximize efficiency and delight in your laundry experience.

On the Operational Plan page, you can outline your business’s daily operations, including personnel, operations, and technology. Having a well-thought-out operational plan helps investors trust that your business will meet its goals and continue to grow.

In our Operational Plan section, we provide templates for:

9.1 Retail Selling Strategy: Lead the way to retail success with a strategic plan for selling your laundry refurbishment, demonstrating your sales skills and tactical thinking.

9.2 E-commerce Sales Strategy: Get ahead of the competition with a comprehensive plan and budget to take over the online market with your unique laundry services.

9.3 Milestones and Achievements: Brighten up your laundry business’s journey by highlighting the critical turning points and impressive successes.

The Financial Plan is essential for investors as it gives them a better understanding of your laundry project management finances. This section guides them in estimating their potential returns on investment. 

In our Financial Plan section, we provide templates for:

10.1 Financial Assumptions: Turn your business goals into a plan that will help shape the financials of your laundry business with professional ironing and folding .

10.2 Revenue Model and Sales Forecast: Show off how your laundry business makes money and how it can grow.

10.3 Break-Even Analysis: Getting to the bottom of what's holding your laundry business back from breaking even is a big step to making money.

10.4 Projected Profit and Loss Account: Draw a clear picture of what your laundry business can do financially, how much money you can make, how much you need to spend, and how much you can expect to make.

10.5 Projected Cash Flow Statement: Make sure your laundry business runs smoothly by observing how much money you expect to make.

10.6 Projected Balance Sheet: Get a complete picture of what your laundry business is expected to make, what it will owe, and what it's worth. That way, you can ensure your finances are as transparent as possible.

10.7 Scenario Analysis: Explore different scenarios to see how different conditions and risks could affect the financial strength of your laundry business.

10.8 DCF Valuation: Using discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, you can determine how much your business is worth today in the laundry industry.

We have so much more to offer

We hope this blog has given you an idea of the amazing content you could gain from this business plan. But this is just the beginning. Upon downloading this business plan, you'll receive all 65 pages and all the valuable content it contains. Starting a laundry business is no easy feat, but we can simplify it. You can download the entire business plan in an easy-to-edit PowerPoint to modify it per your business’s requirements.

FAQs on Laundry Business Plan

1. what is a laundry business plan.

A laundry business plan is a thorough document outlining the plans and goals for starting and running a profitable business. It includes essential elements, including market analysis, financial estimates, marketing plans, and operational strategies. It acts as a road map for business owners, guiding them through the difficulties of the laundry sector and, if necessary, obtaining capital.

2. How profitable is a laundry business?

A laundry business's profitability can vary significantly based on variables including location, pricing, and services provided. A successful laundry operation can make a profit, but success demands careful planning, effective management, and efficient operations.

3. How do I start a laundry business plan?

A laundry business strategy contains the following steps:

• Examine the market and rivalries.
• Identify your offerings and target market.
• Construct a thorough financial plan.
• Create operational and marketing plans.
• Describe your objectives and goals.
• Seek for expert guidance if required.

4. What are the 3 types of laundry business?

There are three primary categories of launderettes:

• Coin-operated machines are used by patrons in self-service launderettes to wash and dry their clothing.
• Laundries that provide complete service, including washing, drying, folding, and ironing.
• Commercial laundry services: Taking care of significant volumes of uniforms and linens for corporations, hotels, and healthcare facilities.

5. What are the risks in the laundry business?

The following are typical risks in the laundry industry: - Equipment failures and maintenance expenditures.

• Variable utility costs.
• The opposition from competing launderettes.
• Changes in market demand.
• Adherence to regulations and environmental issues.
• Difficulties in managing and training employees.
• Economic downturns impact consumer spending.

Related posts:

• Top 10 Car Wash Business Plan Templates with Examples and Samples (Editable Word Doc, Excel and PDF Included)
• Top 10 Jewelry Business Plan Templates with Examples and Samples (Editable Word Doc, Excel and PDF Included)
• Top 10 Cleaning Service Business Plan Templates with Examples and Samples (Editable Word Doc, Excel and PDF Included)
• Top 10 Repair Shop Business Plan Templates with Samples and Examples (Editable Word Doc, Excel, and PDF Included)

Liked this blog? Please recommend us

Top 10 Management Summary Examples with Templates and Samples

Top 5 Expense Chart Templates with Examples and Samples

This form is protected by reCAPTCHA - the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

--> Digital revolution powerpoint presentation slides

--> Sales funnel results presentation layouts

--> 3d men joinning circular jigsaw puzzles ppt graphics icons

--> Business Strategic Planning Template For Organizations Powerpoint Presentation Slides

--> Future plan powerpoint template slide

--> Project Management Team Powerpoint Presentation Slides

--> Brand marketing powerpoint presentation slides

--> Launching a new service powerpoint presentation with slides go to market

--> Agenda powerpoint slide show

--> Four key metrics donut chart with percentage

--> Engineering and technology ppt inspiration example introduction continuous process improvement

--> Meet our team representing in circular format

Laundry Shop Business Plan: Complete Guide

• January 31, 2023

👇 Check all our resources on laundry shops 👇

Whether you’re looking to raise funding from private investors or to get a loan from a bank (like a SBA loan) for your laundry shop, you will need to prepare a solid business plan.

In this article we go through, step-by-step, all the different sections you need in your business plan for a laundromat or a dry cleaning business. Use this template to create a complete, clear and solid business plan that get you funded.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary is one of the most important elements of your laundry shop business plan. It gives everyone an overview of your business, including the potential lenders and investors, so it’s important to get all the details right.

An executive summary is simply a summary of your business plan, highlighting all the important sections and the funding ask.

Why you need a business plan for a laundry shop

The only reason you would want a business plan is to get a clear roadmap when executing your business strategies from start to finish. This is important when considering a business as competitive as a laundromat , where a lack of attention to minor detail could have a massive impact on the revenue potential. Ideally, your business plan should help you achieve one of the following objectives;

• Help secure funding from banks or other lenders (think about a SBA loan ).
• Get financing from private investors (angel investors, private funds, etc.)
• Obtain a public or private grant

How to write an executive summary for a laundry shop

The structure of any executive summary is always the same, same goes for laundry shops.

Business Overview

What’s your business name? What is your business model? Do you operate a dry cleaning or a laundromat? This section should contain the answers to all these questions and more.

Note that entrepreneurs have 2 business models to choose from when starting a laundry shop. You may want to purchase a franchise or instead open an independent shop. This needs to be crystal clear from the outset in this section.

Other important elements to consider here include the services you plan to offer, the location of your shop and the legal structure of your company.

Market analysis

In this section, you should summarise the market research you would have conducted as part of your business plan. Indeed, conducting a proper market analysis will give you an accurate estimation of the total number of customers that may visit your shop every month.

For example, do you have a clear picture of the exact number of laundry shops in your area? If you are launching a laundry shop within a busy neighborhood, then what’s the competition like?

Other important elements that will come up at this point include the region’s demography and the demand for laundry services, ultimately determining your pricing strategy . 

Management & People

Expand here on the management team and their experience in the industry. Also, make sure you have a clear organizational structure with the different teams and their reporting lines.

Financial Plan

How much profit and revenue do you expect in the next 5 years? When will you reach the break-even point and start making profits ? It is ideal to include a chart depicting your key financials such as revenue, gross profits, and net profit

Funding Ask

There’s no better way to conclude the executive summary than by laying out the objective of your business plan: to raise funding from investors, banks or to obtain a grant.

Therefore, answer the following questions here: What loan/investment/grant are you seeking? How much do you need? How long will this last?

2. Laundry Shop Business Overview

A business overview is exactly what it sounds like: a description of your company and what it offers to your target customers. For a laundry shop, the focus will be on your specific services, how every product is priced, and who your target market is.

Here are the different sub-sections you should cover here:

As part of the business overview section, describe the history of your laundry shop, covering your interest and reason for starting the business today. Explaining the rationale and the “why you” to investors goes a long way.

For example, if your analysis showed that most laundry shops in the region welcome customers to come in for their cleaning services, you could offer pickup and delivery services instead, to stand out from the crowd.

Business Model

The business model answers specific questions about your laundry shop. For instance, will you purchase an already established franchise or start from scratch? Also, are you opening an independent store or opting for a partnership?  

Laundry Services and Products 

There’s no limit to the number of services and products you can offer at your laundry shop. However, you need a clear strategy to truly stand out from the crowd and target the desired market base. Most importantly, you need to show the potential investors why they should trust your business model and nothing else. 

A standard laundry shop in the US will almost certainly focus on washing, drying, and folding services. However, you can take it a notch higher by offering additional services like dry cleaning, ironing, and stain treatment. Be clear if you cater to a specific target market like colleges, toddlers (diaper services), restaurants, animal shelters, inns, or hospitals. 

Pricing Strategy

What’s a fair price for laundry services? Such questions are best answered after assessing your target audience and other important details related to the laundry shop business. Of course, you don’t have to go overboard when setting your prices for a new start-up. 

On average, laundry services cost about $2.00 per load in most US states. So, this could be a good starting point as you continue to explore the market to determine the most reasonable prices for your audience. 

Generally, the cost of laundry services depend on the location and quality of services. While most laundry services that allow clients to drop off their laundry for cleaning charge by weight, some will help customers pick the desired services from the menu.

Target Audience

For a laundry shop business, it’s important to find out if the local area even needs your services in the first place. And even after identifying an obvious market gap, you will want to dig deeper to find out what the customers will appreciate most about your business and why they need laundry services. 

Knowing your target market not only helps you attract and retain new clients but also shows the lenders the viability of your business model. 

Legal Structure

The legal structure is the last element you may want to include in your laundry shop’s business overview section. Most laundry shops in the US are operating as a limited liability company (LLC). 

But as you may already know, the legal structure is never a one-size-fits-all affair. So choose a structure that matches your needs between a corporation or a partnership.

{{product_image|medium}}

Laundromat + Dry Cleaning Financial Model

Download an expert-built 5-year Excel financial model for your business plan

3. Laundry Shop Market Analysis

A proper market analysis is another very important section in your laundry shop business plan, helping you showcase your wealth of knowledge about the market. And that’s exactly what many investors will want to see. 

For a laundry business, setting up your shop in a busy location with lots of apartments might be a goldmine, helping you reach out to a large audience in little to no time. Unless you want to spend a couple of hours on the road traveling to offer your pick and delivery services, you will want your laundry shop to be as close to the target market as possible. 

Laundry Shop Market Trends

As part of a comprehensive market analysis, ensure you understand the market trends before jumping on the laundry shop train. An overview of the current market size and a prediction of the future growth opportunities should help you make clear business decisions. 

How big is the laundry industry in the US?

It’s always good to present a few numbers for the US market. For example, you could use the US market size of $10 billion in 2020, expected to grow by 4% annually from 2021 to 2028.

How big is the laundry industry in your area?

However, there are good chances you will want to be as specific as possible by restricting your analysis where you plan to operate instead. Indeed, whilst the US market for laundry facilities might be growing overall for certain reasons, it might not be the case at all in your area.

This can be as easy as listing all the different laundry shops (laundromats, online on-demand delivery / pickup laundry, dry cleaners) in your area.

How fast is the laundry industry growing in your city?

Now let’s look at growth.

Here, you can use the number of laundry shops in your city. For example, assuming there were 20 shops in your city in 2020 and 24 in 2022, we can assume your market is growing at +10% per year.

Laundry Shop Competitor Analysis

A healthy competition puts you on your toes, ensuring you work hard to improve your services and never stay in your comfort zone. However, competition only makes sense if you are smart enough to understand your competitors’ biggest deficiencies.

After finding out the number of laundry shops in the area, some of your biggest competitors in the field, and the services they offer, you will want to go a step higher to evaluate other vital elements. 

For example, you may want to know how much your competitors charge for the same laundry services, the average number of employees and their salaries, and the estimated number of customers they serve every month. The data you obtain from such analyses should help you make smart decisions, fully motivated to meet your clients’ expectations. 

Laundry Shop Customer Analysis

Now that you know the market trends and the level of competition, who exactly are you selling to? This is more or less the same as the target audience, and everything still hinges on the nature of the individuals you intend to serve. 

You can deduce this information from the competitive analysis , taking note of the need for laundry services in the area and the region’s demographic pattern. Find out if the local community appreciates online booking because that will force you to design a reliable website with a user-friendly booking section. 

4. Sales & Marketing Strategy

The sales and marketing strategy section of your business plan should include information on how you will attract new customers to your laundry shop.

Keep it simple by answering specific questions about your business. For example, what marketing channels are best suited to your target audience? How will you know that your marketing strategy is working? What’s the estimated marketing budget? And do you plan to include incentives like bonuses and offers to attract new clients within the first few days/weeks of operation? 

Laundry Shop Marketing Channels

You will never run out of options when it comes to the marketing channels for a laundry shop business. The only question is whether the chosen strategy suits your target market.

Ideally, the chosen marketing channel should be creatively designed to deliver results while helping you outshine some of your biggest competitors in the field. And there are numerous options, including;

• Social media ads (Facebook, Instagram)
• Local pay-per-click campaigns (e.g. Google Ads )
• Website 
• Partnerships (with corporates, hotels, fitness clubs, etc.)

What Are Your Unique Selling Points (USP)?

A unique selling point explains how you stand out from the competition. This section includes a specific feature that customers can only find in your business and should be communicated concisely. 

Your USPs separate your business from competitors, and help customers make a decision between one laundry shop and another.

Of course, a unique selling point varies from one company to another, but some of the key factors that should guide your decision include;

• Price : you may be cheaper vs. your competitors
• Location : your laundry shop might be closer to your target customers
• Quality : you offer higher-quality services and/or faster turnaround
• Services : you might offer an online booking service with the ability for customers to order pickup and delivery so they don’t have to leave the comfort of their home

5. Management & Organizational Structure

The 5th section of your laundry shop business plan should be about people. It should include 2 main elements:

• The management team and their experience / track record
• The organizational structure: what are the different teams and who reports to whom?

Here you should list all the management roles in your company. Of course, the amount of details you need to include here varies depending on the size of your company. A franchise business with a number of laundromats would need more detail vs. an independent laundromat.

If you plan on running your business independently, you may write a short paragraph explaining who are the co-founders and/or senior managers (if there are any in addition to yourself). It’s important to highlight their experience in the industry and previous relevant professional experiences.

Organizational structure for a laundry shop

No matter how many leadership roles there are, you should now explain how you intend to run the company from a management standpoint.

What are the different teams (management, operations, marketing, etc.)? Note that you should include these details even if you haven’t hired anyone yet. It will show lenders and investors that you have a solid hiring and management plan to run the business successfully.

A great addition here is to add an organizational chart that list all the roles, from Directors to managers, key supervisory roles, employees and contractors. Make sure to highlight with reporting lines who manages/supervises whom.

6. Laundry Shop Financial Plan

The financial plan is perhaps, with the executive summary, the most important section of any business plan.

Indeed, a solid financial plan tells lenders that your business is viable and can repay the loan you need from them. If you’re looking to raise equity from private investors, a solid financial plan will prove them your laundry shop is an attractive investment.

There should be 3 sections to your financial plan section:

• Your historical financials (only if you already operate the business and have financial accounts to show)
• The startup costs of your project (if you plan to open a new laundromat , purchase new washing machines, renovate your facilities, etc.)
• The 5-year financial projections

Historical Financials (if any)

In the scenario where you already have some historical financials (a few quarters or a few years), include them. A summary of your financial statements in the form of charts e.g. revenue, gross profit and net profit is enough, save the rest for the appendix.

If you don’t have any, don’t worry, most new businesses don’t have any historical financials and that’s ok. If so, jump to Startup Costs instead.

Startup Costs

Before we expand on 5-year financial projections in the following section, it’s always best practice to start with listing the startup costs of your project. For a laundry shop, startup costs are all the expenses you incur before you open the space to your customers.

These expenses typically are:

• The lease deposit for the space you rent (if your decide to rent)
• The loan downpayment for the purchase price of the building (if you decide to buy with a mortgage)
• The design and renovation of the existing facilities
• The equipment (washers, dryers, coin machine, etc.)

The total startup costs depend on a number of factors, such as the type of business model (laundromat vs. dry cleaning), the quality of the building (whether there is a lot or remodeling to do or not), the number and quality of the machines, etc.

As an example, it costs on average $151,000 to $490,000 to start a laundromat with 15 front-loaders and 10 dryers. For more information on how much it costs to open and run a laundry shop, read our complete guide here .

Laundry Shop 5-Year Financial Projections

In addition to startup costs, you will now need to build a solid 5-year financial model as part of your laundry shop business plan.

Your financial projections should be built using a spreadsheet (e.g. Excel or Google Sheets) and presented in the form of tables and charts in your business plan.

As usual, keep it concise here and save details (for example detailed financial statements, financial metrics, key assumptions and benchmarks used for the projections) for the appendix instead.

Your financial projections should answer at least the following questions:

• How much revenue do you expect to generate over the next 5 years?
• When do you expect to break even ?
• How much cash will you burn until you get there?
• What’s the impact of a change in pricing (say 20%) on your margins?
• What is your average customer acquisition cost (CAC) ?

You should include here your 3 financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement). This means you must forecast:

• The number of customers over time ;
• Your expected revenue ;
• Operating costs to run the business ;
• Any other cash flow items (e.g. capex, debt repayment, etc.).

When projecting your revenue, make sure to sensitize pricing and the number of customers as a small change in these assumptions will have a big impact on your revenues.

When it comes to the costs, consider both startup and operating costs . For more information, read our complete guide here .

7. Funding Ask

This is the last section of your laundry shop business plan. Now that we have explained what your laundry shop is about, what’s your strategy, where you go and how you get there, this section must answer the following questions:

• How much funding do you need?
• What financial instrument(s) do you need: is this equity or debt, or even a free-money public grant?
• How long will this funding last?
• Where else does the money come from? If you apply for a SBA loan for example, where does the other part of the investment come from (your own capital, private investors?)

If you raise debt:

• What percentage of the total funding the loan represents?
• What is the corresponding Debt Service Coverage Ratio ?

If you raise equity

• What percentage ownership are you selling as part of this funding round?
• What is the corresponding valuation of your business?

Use of Funds

Any laundry shop business plan should include a clear use of funds section. This is where you explain how the money will be spent.

Will you spend most of the loan / investment in buying the real estate? Or will it cover mostly the cost for the acquisition of the machines?

Those are very important financial questions you should be able to answer in the blink of an eye. Don’t worry, this should come straight from your financial projections. If you’ve built solid projections like in our laundry shop financial model template , you won’t have any issues answering these questions.

For the use of funds, we recommend using a pie chart like the one we have in our financial model template where we outline the main expenses categories as shown below.

Related Posts

How Profitable is a Laundromat? Profits & Breakeven

• May 7, 2023

How to Build a Financial Model for a Laundry Shop

• February 24, 2023

Privacy Overview

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

How to Start a Laundry Business: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Laundry is an essential part of life for most people. As long as clean clothes are in demand, a laundry business will be too. After all, not everyone has their own washer and dryer, or the time (or desire) to wash their clothes themselves. This makes starting a business in the laundry industry a great option for budding entrepreneurs.

Of course, this all sounds good in theory, but what does it take to launch a business of your own? If you’re wondering how to start a laundry business, this guide is here to help.

How to start a laundry business in 10 steps

We’re going to cover all of the crucial first steps you need to take to get your laundry business started. You may be eager to open your doors as soon as possible, but taking the time to plan and set up your business through the proper channels can help ensure a successful start.

1. Decide what kind of laundry business you want to start

If you’re already thinking about starting a laundry business, you might know exactly what kind you want to open. But if you’re still exploring your options, we’ll go through a few of the laundry business formats you should consider before deciding.

Laundry businesses are most popular in areas with lots of apartment buildings or where people don’t necessarily have their own washing machines. You may choose to open a laundry business that allows customers to come in and do their laundry using your machines, or you can also offer wash and fold services, where customers can drop off their laundry, and then pick it up once it’s done (some laundry businesses also offer pickup and delivery.)

You might also decide to offer all of these services to your customers. Whichever you choose, you’ll need washing and drying machines and a location for the business. You'll want to keep all of this in mind, therefore, before you continue learning how to start a laundry business.

You also have the option of buying into a laundromat franchise , rather than building a new business from the ground up. There are pros and con s to this type of business model, but if this is your first business endeavor, it can be helpful to work within an already existing — and successful — framework that a franchise provides.

Ultimately, with all of these options, you’ll want to take the time to do your research before you decide which idea to move forward with. See what other types of laundry businesses are in the area, conduct a survey of local people, or see what type of demand there is for your possible business.

This information will help you decide if there is a need for a laundry business in the first place, as well as what type of laundromat would best serve your area.

How much do you need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

2. Choose a business name

One of the most fun parts of learning how to start a laundry business is choosing the business name. Think of all the clever, catchy, and memorable names you can come up with — but make sure it’s also describing your business and is memorable and easy to pronounce.

Once you have some ideas, you can look up whether your business name is available online in most states. The secretary of state website will likely be the best resource for checking business name availability, though some states have a different agency handling this business process, such as the chamber of commerce department.

If your business name is available, you will likely have the option to reserve it for a set amount of time. Although this step isn’t required, you may choose to do so if you aren’t ready to register your business but want to ensure no other business takes your name.

3. Choose a business entity

Another decision about your laundry business that you’ll have to make early on is which business entity you’ll choose to legally structure your business. Choosing the right business entity is crucial, as it affects how you pay taxes, how much risk you’ll be exposed to, how you’ll organize your business, and more.

For example, if you decide to start your laundry business as a limited liability company, you’ll have liability protection for yourself and other business members. On the other hand, if you opt for something like a general partnership or sole proprietorship, you won’t have liability protection, but you also won’t have to register your business with the state.

There are several factors to consider in this step, so we recommend consulting a business attorney or tax professional to walk you through the process and help you choose the best entity for your unique business needs.

4. Write a business plan

Now that you have your business entity, business name and business idea in mind, you can get down to writing your business plan . Your business plan will be on the longer side, think 30 to 50 pages, and it will provide a comprehensive overview and actionable plan for taking your laundry business to a profitable endeavor.

You can either write your business plan on your own or you can use a business plan template to help streamline the process, but either way, there is some key information you should make sure to include in the plan.

Your business plan should include a summary and information about the type of business you want to start, including your structure and any other key employees (besides yourself). It should also include a market analysis. This analysis should show that there is a high demand in your area for a laundry business, as well as outline any competitors, who your target customer is, and more.

Your plan should also include financial information, detail where you’re getting your startup capital, whether or not you’ll be seeking any extra funding, and projections for when you think you’ll actually start making money with your new laundry business.

5. Register your business and get an EIN

The next step involved in learning how to start a laundry business? Although not all businesses have to register with the state (sole proprietorships and general partnerships likely will not), most will need to take this step in order to legally operate. Some states allow businesses to register online, typically through the secretary of state or chamber of commerce website, but other states require businesses to register in person with paper documents. It’s always wise to consult a business lawyer who can help you keep track of the documents and registrations your business needs to file.

One thing to keep in mind if you choose a business entity that doesn't require you to register with the state, you may still want to file a DBA or “doing business as” to operate your business under a name other than your legal name (which is the default).

In addition, it's also a good idea for most businesses to apply for an employer identification number or an EIN. This number is helpful for businesses when applying for a bank account, filing taxes, and more. It’s sometimes referred to as a business tax ID number.

If you plan to hire employees, this is a required step, but even if you’re not at that stage yet, obtaining an EIN has several business benefits. You can apply for your EIN through the IRS website.

6. Get the proper permits and licenses

The licenses and permits you need to run your laundry business will vary depending on the state where you’ll be operating. You may need to get a more general business license in addition to more specific licenses, such as a health department license or water pollution control permit .

Some states and cities even have specific laws around laundry facilities and businesses that provide laundry services. If you plan to do pickup and delivery services too, there are other licenses you’ll need, pertaining to your business vehicles.

Overall, this is another step where it would highly benefit you to consult a business attorney, as licensing rules vary largely depending on the state, city, or county.

7. Find a location

At this point, you've completed much of the behind-the-scenes work required in learning how to start a laundry business. And, in doing so, you’ve likely done some preliminary work on this next step, especially during your market analysis.

This being said, however, it’s now time to get serious about finding the location for your laundry business. Although some smaller operations may be able to be run out of a home (if you’re only doing drop-off/pickup service, for instance), you’ll likely want to find a commercial space.

Keep in mind, a laundry business will require specific plumbing and water line hookups — or the structural bones for these to be added — which will come at a cost. Just how much it costs to start up a laundry business will vary depending on several factors, but know that your physical space will likely be a large investment.

When it comes down to it, though, finding the right space is important, but equally as important is making sure it’s in the right location. In fact, finding a location with a demonstrated need for a laundromat business is probably the most important step of them all.

Renters, for example, generally represent a large portion of laundromat clients, so you might want to consider a location near rental units that do not have washers and dryers built into them, or college students living off-campus. You also want to make sure you’re conveniently located near your target audience. In fact, the closer you are to your customers, the better. Depending on the location, this could mean within walking distance.

Security should also be taken into account. Laundromats are susceptible to robberies and other types of crime, which is why ideally your laundromat should be located in a highly visible, safe area.

8. Get the proper equipment

With your space secured, you next need to turn your attention to buying the equipment to make your laundry business operational. Depending on the size of your business, you may need over 20 washing machines and 20 dryers.

Some other essential laundromat equipment (besides the washers and dryers themselves) to get are:

Change machines.

Credit card payment system.

Laundry carts.

Oversized washing machines.

Security cameras.

Soap dispensers.

Vending machines.

Although most of these things on the list speak for themselves, it's important to remember to have plenty of change machines, as not all of your customers will be carrying credit or debit cards with them.

In addition, you'll want to keep in mind that laundry equipment will most likely be your biggest expense, aside from rent. On average, laundry machines can cost you anywhere from $100,000 to $400,000. While writing your business plan, therefore, you should have done some calculations for how much you expect to spend on these initial startup costs, and now it’s time to find a way to finance them.

Although new businesses have a more difficult time qualifying for traditional business loans, one type of funding that can be particularly useful for laundry businesses is equipment financing . You’ll take your quote for the machines you need directly to a lender who then funds the purchase. You pay off the loan with regular payments, and the machines serve as collateral for the loan, making lenders more willing to work with less-qualified borrowers.

9. Open a business bank account

You’re nearly ready to open the doors of your laundry business, but before you do, one more crucial step is to set up your business’s financial accounts. First, you’ll need to open a business checking account so you can separate your business and personal finances. This is important for many reasons, including simplifying your taxes and helping to protect your personal assets if your business is the recipient of legal action.

Having this account completely separate from your personal bank account can also help establish and boost your business credit score, which will help you qualify for more attractive funding options if and when you decide to expand your business in the future.

You’ll also want a business credit card to help keep your spending separate. Although there are many great options out there, a 0% introductory APR business card can be especially useful for startup businesses, as the intro period can serve as an interest-free loan of sorts. Just make sure your balance is paid off before the offer period ends and a variable APR sets in.

LLC Formation

10. Market your laundromat

Finally, you've reached the last step in learning how to start a laundry business. At this point, you're ready to welcome customers and start drawing people to your business.

A great way to get people coming through your doors is by marketing your business around areas where your target customers like to frequent. For instance, if a sizable portion of your customers is college students, you may want to pass out flyers at popular coffee shops or college bars.

Following SEO best practices is also a definite must, as nowadays many people search online to find new businesses. Make sure your business is easy to find online by creating a user-friendly website, which should list basic business information like your business hours, your business address, and contact information.

You'll also want to ensure that your business develops a strong reputation. Respond to all of your customer reviews on sites such as Yelp and Google Business, no matter how positive or negative the feedback is, as this will only serve to boost your reputation.

Once you've gotten the word out there, you can think about different ways to retain customers. Some laundromats offer free WiFi or install televisions to keep customers entertained while they wait for their laundry to finish.

On a similar note...

We earn commissions if you shop through the links below.  Read more

Laundry Business

Back to All Business Ideas

Start Your Own Laundry Business: 13 Steps to Success

Written by: Esther Strauss

Esther is a business strategist with over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, executive, educator, and management advisor.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on April 25, 2021 Updated on July 10, 2024

Investment range

$21,550 - $211,100

Revenue potential

$30,000 - $200,000 p.a

Time to build

3 - 6 months

Profit potential

$10,000 - $30,000 p.a

Industry trend

These are the key elements to think about when starting your laundry business:

• Location — Choose a high-traffic location with good visibility and accessibility, such as near apartment complexes, college campuses, or busy shopping areas.
• Equipment — Invest in high-quality commercial washers, dryers, and other necessary equipment. Consider energy-efficient models to reduce utility costs. Purchase additional equipment such as folding tables, change machines, vending machines for laundry supplies, and seating for customers.
• Services — Decide on the range of services you will offer, such as self-service laundry, wash-and-fold, dry cleaning, and delivery services. Consider offering specialized services like stain removal, ironing, or garment alterations to attract a wider range of customers.
• Franchise — Choose one of the following franchises to get started: Martinizing Dry Cleaning , The Eco Laundry Company , or Zoom Express Laundry .
• Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
• Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .
• Payment system —  Invest in a reliable POS system to handle transactions, track sales, and manage customer data. Consider implementing a card or app-based payment system for convenience.
• Maintenance — Establish a maintenance schedule and identify reliable repair services to keep your equipment in optimal condition.
• Online presence — Create a professional website with detailed information about your services, pricing, location, and contact information. Also, get listed on Google Business and Yelp and encourage positive reviews.

Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your laundry business today!

You May Also Wonder:

Are laundromats good investments?

Laundromats certainly are! They offer high rates of success and a straightforward business model. It’s estimated that  95% of laundromats succeed  based on a five-year evaluation window. The business is also  recession-resistant  as everybody needs clean clothes no matter what’s happening in the economy.

Do dry cleaners make money?

While profits will vary depending on your location, costs, and your prices, the median revenue for a dry cleaning business is $80,000 per year. So yes, dry cleaners make money, but it’s up to you to turn that money into profit.

How do you finance a laundry business?

There is a range of options for financing a laundry business. You can ask friends and family or apply for a traditional loan through a bank. Another option is through SBA guaranteed loans such as 7(a) loans and microloans.

How can I maintain a clean and hygienic environment in my laundry business?

Implement proper waste management practices, ensuring trash bins are emptied regularly and disposed of properly. Keep the floors and surfaces clean by sweeping, mopping, and wiping them down regularly. Regularly inspect and clean the washing machines, dryers, and other equipment to remove lint, debris, and detergent residue. Use appropriate cleaning agents and disinfectants to sanitize surfaces and maintain a hygienic environment.

How profitable is a laundry business?

While laundry businesses can be profitable, it’s important to conduct thorough market research, assess the local demand, and carefully manage expenses to maximize profitability. 

Can I start a laundry business at home?

Starting a laundry business at home is possible, but it may have limitations and considerations. Check local regulations and zoning laws to ensure operating a business from home is permitted in your area. Consider the space available and whether it can accommodate the necessary laundry equipment and supplies.

Who uses laundry services the most?

Some common customer segments include busy professionals, college students, apartment dwellers, and households without access to laundry facilities. Additionally, hotels, hospitals, and restaurants often rely on commercial laundry services due to the large volume of linens and uniforms they handle.

What can I sell in a laundry shop?

In a laundry shop, you can sell various products and services to complement your core laundry offerings. This can include detergent and laundry supplies for customers to purchase, vending machines for snacks or beverages, laundry bags or baskets, fabric softeners, stain removers, and ironing services. 

Step 1: Decide if the Business is Right for You

Understanding the laundry industry is the first step you should take in starting your laundry business. First, let’s see what types of businesses you can open. 

Pros and cons

To give you a balanced view of the industry, here are the pros and cons of a laundry business: 

• Reliable, proven business model
• Clothes always need cleaning, rain or shine 
• Simple work; no training or certification required 
• High utility costs
• Large initial investment  
• Machine maintenance can be demanding

Laundry industry trends

The US is home to about 35,000 laundromats, which generate some $5 billion in annual revenue, according to industry expert Martin Ray Laundry Systems.(( https://martinray.com/p-33942-key-statistics-laundromat-investors-should-know.html#:~:text=The%20laundromat%20industry%20sees%20about,between%2020%2D35%25%20ROI. )) With an impressive 95% success rate, laundry businesses boast an average return on investment of nearly 30%.

Dry cleaning is doing particularly well in recent years. Despite the recent pandemic-driven slowdown, market analyst IBISWorld expects the US dry cleaning industry to grow nearly 6% in 2021.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/dry-cleaners-united-states/ ))

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – The US laundry facilities and dry-cleaning services market was valued at more than $10 billion in 2020(( https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4514502/u-s-laundry-facilities-and-dry-cleaning-services )), after posting steady growth from a little over $8 billion in 2016.((https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/dry-cleaning-laundry-services-market))
• Growth forecast – The market is expected to grow 4% annually through 2028.(( https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4514502/u-s-laundry-facilities-and-dry-cleaning-services )) 
• Number of businesses – The US is home to about 35,000 laundromats, according to industry expert Martin Ray Laundry Systems(( https://martinray.com/p-33942-key-statistics-laundromat-investors-should-know.html#:~:text=The%20laundromat%20industry%20sees%20about,between%2020%2D35%25%20ROI )), and more than 14,000 dry cleaners.((https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/dry-cleaners-united-states/))

Trends and challenges

These are among the latest trends in laundry:

• Shift toward technologically advanced machines that accept all forms of payment (credit, debit, cash, coins, loyalty cards, and mobile payments) and offer easy-to-use digital interfaces
• Growing demand for laundry pickup and delivery services

The industry faces some challenges such as:

• Stiff competition
• High startup cost
• Long operating hours
• Risk of accidents

How much does it cost to start a laundry business?

Costs vary, but if you’re starting a small wash-and-fold operation, you’d need as little as $20,000, while larger operations could cost $200,000 or more. The average startup investment for a laundry is $40,000.

Laundromats and dry cleaners, on the other hand, can cost $500,000 or more due to the significant equipment requirements. Here’s a cost breakdown for a basic wash-and-fold laundry, excluding the cost of the commercial space or building:

How much can you earn from a laundry business?

Laundromats generate revenue anywhere between $30,000 to $1 million each year, with profit margins running from 15% to 35%. Industry analyst AmericanDryCleaner.com estimates that most small dry cleaners generate about $200,000 a year in revenue.

The potential earnings vary widely, so it’s up to you to make your business a success.

In your first year or two, you could set up a basic wash and fold laundry with five washers and five dryers. If you could serve 20 clients a day and each spends $2 to wash and dry a load of laundry, you’ll be earning nearly $30,000 in annual revenue and more than $10,000 in profit assuming a 35% margin. 

As you gain more clients and add more machines, your annual revenue could climb to $200,000 a year. At this stage, you’d rent a bigger commercial space and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to 15% and a profit of $30,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

While laundry businesses are simple to operate, there are a few barriers to entry to be aware of: 

• Mature, competitive market
• Startup costs are high
• Bureaucratic hoops to jump through, licensing

Related Business Ideas

How to Start a Dry Cleaning Business in 13 Steps

Clean Start: Launching Your Own Laundromat

How to Start a Carpet Cleaning Business

Step by Step Business values real-life experience above all. Through our Entrepreneur Spotlight Series , we interview business leaders from diverse industries, providing readers with firsthand insights.

Dive into our interview with Mort Fertel, CEO of Poplin , to uncover key strategies for building a thriving laundry service.

Step 2: Hone Your Idea

Now that you’re up to date with the laundry industry let’s start refining your business idea.

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

A great part about laundry businesses is that your main competition will likely only be in your local area. This makes it easy to assess what your competitors are doing and keep a close eye on any changes to their business. 

Before you create your offering, though, you should do some research to scope out the strengths and weaknesses of your competition. This will help you to create a better experience for your customers.

Here are some questions to ask about your competition: 

• What do they offer?
• Why do people use their services?
• Who are they targeting? 
• Do they have a unique selling point?

What? Determine your services

Choosing a niche is important in the beginning. It will help you streamline your business processes, create effective marketing campaigns and start the process of finding who your target market should be. 

While it’s possible to offer all the niche services under one roof, it’s a good idea to specialize in one service before branching out. This will save you money and help you make your first dollar faster. So now’s the time to do some deeper research into which niche will best fit your current situation and market needs. 

There are three main types of laundry businesses — wash and fold , laundromat , and dry cleaner .

Wash-and-fold laundries offer busy customers a convenient drop-off service, accepting dirty clothes and having them cleaned and folded the next day and ready for pick-up. 

A laundromat is a storefront offering washing machines and dryers for customers to use by paying coins, cash, debit, credit or mobile pay. Requires minimal oversight as customers do their laundry themselves, and is cheaper than other options. Some laundromats also offer wash-and-fold services. 

Dry cleaning is a specialized way of cleaning clothes without water so as to avoid shrinkage. Most people use dry cleaners for delicate garments such as suits or fancy dresses, but dry cleaning is suitable for any garment. It’s also more expensive than a traditional wash.

How much should you charge for laundry services?

How much you charge will depend on what your costs are and the type of services you offer. To find a starting point, you can look at what your competitors charge for their various services. 

But at the end of the day, your prices are up to you. As long as your margin is acceptable to you, that’s a good place to start. You can always adjust based on demand. Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Once you’ve got your niche, you should decide who your target market will be within that niche. For example, if you notice that local university dormitories lack laundry services—or have subpar services—you can make students your target market.

Once you know who your target market is, you’ll be able to craft an experience that’s exactly what they’re looking for. This is what will differentiate you from your competition.

Where? Choose your laundry location

When it comes to opening a laundry business, your location will be determined by your target market. If you want to target university students, then you’ll need to have your store near university dormitories or places that they frequent. For example, you could choose a location that is close to many student apartments, or you could open a store in the local shopping village. 

You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Laundry Business Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• The name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “laundry” or “wash”, boosts SEO
• Choose a name that allows for expansion: “SpinCycle Laundry Solutions” over “Commercial Laundry Solutions”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these.

Find a Domain

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: A brief overview of your laundry business, highlighting its key aspects and objectives.
• Business Overview: An introduction to your laundry business, including its name, location, and a basic description.
• Product and Services: Explanation of the laundry services you offer, such as dry cleaning, washing, and folding.
• Market Analysis: An examination of the laundry industry in your area, including potential customer segments and market trends.
• Competitive Analysis: An evaluation of your laundry business’s competitors and their strengths and weaknesses.
• Sales and Marketing: Strategies for promoting and selling your laundry services, including pricing, advertising, and customer acquisition.
• Management Team: Profiles of key individuals involved in running the laundry business, their roles, and relevant experience.
• Operations Plan: Details about the day-to-day operations, including equipment, suppliers, and processes.
• Financial Plan: A projection of your laundry business’s financial performance, including income, expenses, and profit margins.
• Appendix: Supplementary information, such as resumes, permits, and any additional documents that support your laundry business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states offer real advantages when it comes to a laundry business.

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your laundry business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method, but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Venture capital : Offer potential investors an ownership stake in exchange for funds, keeping in mind that you would be sacrificing some control over your business.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding : Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings, the sale of property or other assets, and support from family and friends.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a laundry business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.

Step 8: Apply for Licenses and Permits

Starting a laundry business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your laundry business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

Your software needs will change depending on the type of laundry company you decide to run. But you may use industry-specific software, such as iLaundry , CleanCloud , and Starchup .

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Professional Branding — Create a brand identity that conveys cleanliness, reliability, and professionalism with a well-designed logo, inviting signage, and a pristine facility.
• Website Optimization — Develop a comprehensive website that highlights your services, pricing, and unique features like express options or organic products, optimized for local searches related to laundry and dry cleaning.
• Local SEO  — Regularly update your Google My Business and Yelp profiles to strengthen your local search presence.
• Direct Outreach — Form relationships with local businesses, gyms, hotels, and residential complexes, offering introductory discounts or corporate deals to introduce your services.
• Social Media Engagement — Utilize Facebook and Instagram to display your facility, share customer testimonials, and announce special offers, engaging actively with comments and inquiries.
• Content Marketing — Maintain a laundry tips blog to provide valuable garment care advice and demonstrate your expertise, enhancing customer trust and loyalty.
• Email Newsletters — Send regular newsletters to update customers on new services, seasonal promotions, and laundry tips to keep your audience engaged.
• Video Content — Produce videos that showcase the meticulous care you provide for garments or provide practical home laundry tips.
• Experiential Marketing — Host community events or promotional days like “free wash days” to draw in new customers and provide immediate value.
• Targeted Discounts — Provide special rates for students and seniors to attract these demographic groups, especially if they are prevalent in your area.
• Customer Loyalty Programs — Implement a loyalty program that rewards repeat customers with discounts or free services after a certain number of visits.
• Targeted Local Advertising — Employ advertising in local media, community bulletin boards, and online platforms to reach potential customers, supplemented by flyers and mailers in densely populated or underserved areas.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your laundry shop meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your laundry business could be:

• Vending machines for snacks, drinks, laundry supplies
• Add arcade games and TVs
• Use top-quality cleaning supplies, be a premium laundry.
• Partner with local businesses to do their laundry at a discount.
• Offer services for delicate garments.
• Loyalty rewards program.

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a laundry business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in laundry for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in laundry. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small with a home-based wash and fold business, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a laundry include:

• General Manager
• Maintenance
• Marketing Lead 

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent.

Step 13: Run a Laundry Business – Start Making Money!

A laundry shop can be a great source of steady income if you can build a solid customer base and earn your customers’ loyalty. One way to do this is to offer amenities, such as free wifi and free coffee. You can also provide a lounge where customers can engage in great conversations while doing their laundry.

There are many other creative ways to attract and retain customers. You did the right thing by seeking guidance first. Now that you have the knowledge to start a business, you’re ready to begin your entrepreneurial journey and make money with your laundry business!

It’s great that you mentioned how laundry businesses usually have high success rates and solid profit margins. I was checking out some popular types of businesses earlier and I learned about laundry businesses. It seems like a good choice if you want to start a business, and it looks like there are finance my laundry services now too, which makes things even easier.

https://financemylaundry.com/

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Decide if the Business is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Laundry Business Name
• Create a Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Laundry Business - Start Making Money!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Featured resources.

17 Business Ideas that Help the Community

Esther Strauss

Published on July 29, 2022

Just about everybody wants to live in a warm, welcoming close-knit community, and you can help build one by starting a business that helps peopleliv ...

18 Smart Cleaning Business Ideas for Reliable Income

Carolyn Young

Published on July 14, 2022

Demand for cleaning services in both homes and offices surged in the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected to remain higha ...

17 Clothing Business Ideas to Inspire Your Fashion Venture

Published on July 12, 2022

Are you updated with the latest fashion trends? If so, then starting a clothing business would be a perfect career choice for you. You may open abou ...

No thanks, I don't want to stay up to date on industry trends and news.

Get instant access to detailed competitive research, SWOT analysis, buyer personas, growth opportunities and more for any product or business at the push of a button, so that you can focus more on strategy and execution.

Table of contents, a comprehensive laundry business plan guide.

• 14 June, 2024

Essential Elements of a Laundry Business

When starting or running a laundry business, there are essential elements that contribute to its success. In this section, we will explore two crucial aspects: incorporating the latest technology and providing finishing equipment.

Incorporating Latest Technology

Technology has significantly impacted the laundry industry, and incorporating the latest laundry technology in your business can lead to increased profits, safety, and customer satisfaction. The advancements in technology have revolutionized the laundry process, making it more efficient and convenient for both business owners and customers.

By investing in modern laundry equipment, such as high-capacity washers and dryers, you can optimize productivity and reduce operational costs. These machines are designed to handle larger loads, reducing the number of cycles required and saving time and energy. Additionally, the latest technology offers features like programmable controls, automatic detergent dispensers, and energy-saving modes, allowing for more efficient operations.

Incorporating technology goes beyond equipment. Implementing a user-friendly online booking system or mobile app can enhance the customer experience by offering convenient scheduling and payment options. This digital presence can also help you attract a wider customer base and increase brand visibility.

Providing Finishing Equipment

Providing finishing equipment is another essential aspect of running a successful laundry business. This is particularly crucial for businesses in the hospitality, healthcare, and event rental industries, where the quality and presentation of laundered products are of utmost importance.

Finishing equipment includes items such as steam irons, ironing boards, and folding machines. These tools ensure that laundered products are clean, crisp, and ready to use, meeting the high standards expected by customers. By investing in quality finishing equipment, you can streamline your operations and deliver excellent results consistently.

Offering finishing services can also be an additional revenue stream for your business. Some customers may prefer to have their garments professionally pressed or folded, and by providing these services, you can cater to their needs and generate extra income.

To determine the most suitable finishing equipment for your business, consider factors such as the volume of laundry you handle, the types of items you launder, and the specific needs of your target market. By providing top-notch finishing equipment, you can enhance customer convenience and satisfaction, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Incorporating the latest technology and providing finishing equipment are two essential elements that contribute to the success of a laundry business. By embracing technological advancements and prioritizing the quality of your finished products, you can position your business for growth, profitability, and customer loyalty. For more insights on laundry business profitability, check out our article on laundry business profitability .

Enhancing Customer Experience

In the laundry business, providing an exceptional customer experience is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. By focusing on designing luxurious laundromats and offering extra amenities, you can differentiate your business and create a positive and memorable experience for your customers.

Designing Luxurious Laundromats

Designing a luxurious and inviting laundromat can significantly enhance the overall customer experience. A well-thought-out and aesthetically pleasing environment can make doing laundry feel less like a chore and more like a pleasant activity. Consider the following elements when designing your laundromat:

Comfortable seating areas : Provide comfortable seating areas where customers can relax while waiting for their laundry to finish. Plush chairs or sofas, along with tables and magazines, can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Ample lighting : Ensure that your laundromat is well-lit to create a bright and welcoming ambiance. Natural lighting, if possible, can add an extra touch of warmth and comfort.

Clean and organized space : Maintain a clean and organized space by regularly cleaning and tidying up the laundromat. Clear signage and labels can help customers easily navigate the facility.

TVs and entertainment : Consider installing TVs or entertainment systems in the laundromat to provide entertainment options for customers while they wait. This can help pass the time and make the laundry experience more enjoyable.

Offering Extra Amenities

In addition to a luxurious environment, offering extra amenities can further enhance the customer experience and set your business apart from competitors. Consider incorporating the following amenities into your laundry business:

Free Wi-Fi : Providing free Wi-Fi allows customers to stay connected and productive while waiting for their laundry. This amenity is particularly valuable for those who may want to work or browse the internet during their visit.

Vending machines : Install vending machines that offer snacks, beverages, or laundry-related items like detergent and dryer sheets. This convenience can save customers from making additional trips to the store.

Children’s play area : If your target audience includes families, consider creating a designated play area for children. This can keep kids entertained and allow parents to focus on their laundry tasks.

Wash-and-fold service : Offering a wash-and-fold service can be a convenient option for customers who prefer to outsource their laundry. This service involves the laundromat staff washing, drying, and folding customers’ clothes, providing a time-saving solution.

By designing luxurious laundromats and offering extra amenities, you can create a positive and enjoyable experience for your customers. These enhancements can foster customer loyalty and attract new patrons to your business. Remember to regularly assess the needs and preferences of your target audience to ensure that the amenities you provide align with their expectations.

Crafting a Strong Business Plan

A well-crafted business plan is essential for the success of any laundry and dry cleaning business. It serves as a roadmap, outlining the goals, strategies, and financial projections of the business. In this section, we will explore the key components of a business plan and the importance of vision and mission statements.

Key Components of a Business Plan

A comprehensive business plan for a laundry and dry cleaning business should include the following key components:

Executive Summary : This section provides an overview of the business, highlighting its mission, vision, and key objectives. It should be concise but compelling, capturing the essence of the business and enticing potential investors or lenders to continue reading.

Company Description : Here, you will provide detailed information about your laundry and dry cleaning business. Include the legal structure, location, target market, and the unique aspects that set your business apart from competitors. It’s important to highlight your competitive advantage and explain how you plan to meet the needs of your target audience.

Market Analysis : Conduct a thorough analysis of the laundry industry, including market trends, customer demographics, and the competitive landscape. Identify your target market and outline your strategies for attracting and retaining customers. Utilize data and research to support your analysis, demonstrating a deep understanding of the industry.

Organization and Management : Describe the organizational structure of your business, including key personnel and their roles. Highlight the qualifications and experience of the management team, showcasing their ability to lead and grow the business. Investors and lenders will want to see that your team has the expertise necessary to succeed.

Services and Products : Provide a detailed description of the laundry and dry cleaning services you will offer. Explain any additional services or amenities that set your business apart from competitors. Outline your pricing strategy and how you plan to maintain profitability while remaining competitive in the market.

Marketing and Sales Strategy : Describe your marketing and sales strategies for attracting and retaining customers. Define your unique selling proposition (USP), which differentiates your business from others in the market. Develop a solid marketing plan that includes both traditional and digital marketing channels to reach your target audience effectively.

Financial Projections : Include detailed financial projections, including revenue forecasts, startup costs, operating expenses, and estimated profitability. Provide an overview of your funding requirements and plans for securing financing. Investors and lenders will closely examine these projections to assess the viability and potential profitability of your business.

Vision and Mission Statements

The vision and mission statements are critical components of a laundry and dry cleaning business plan. These statements define the purpose, values, and objectives of your business.

Vision Statement : The vision statement outlines your long-term aspirations and what you aim to achieve in the laundry industry. It reflects your ambitions, goals, and desired position in the market. For example, your vision may be to become one of the most successful laundromats in a specific location and be an industry leader and a choice laundry service provider ( PandaDoc ).

Mission Statement : The mission statement describes the fundamental purpose of your business and how you plan to achieve it. It communicates the core values, principles, and commitment of your business to its customers, employees, and stakeholders. For example, your mission may be to establish a successful business that thrives in both success and profitability, aiming to exceed customer expectations with excellent dry cleaning and laundry services at affordable prices ( PandaDoc ).

Crafting compelling vision and mission statements will not only guide your business’s strategic decisions but also provide a clear direction for your team and attract potential customers who resonate with your values.

By incorporating these key components and thoughtful vision and mission statements into your business plan, you will lay a strong foundation for your laundry and dry cleaning business. This will not only serve as a guide for your own decision-making but also demonstrate to potential investors and lenders that you have a well-thought-out strategy for success in the competitive laundry services industry.

Financial Planning for Success

When developing a comprehensive laundry business plan, one of the crucial aspects to consider is the financial planning. This involves conducting a revenue and cost analysis, as well as determining the funding requirements and forecasts for your laundry business.

Revenue and Cost Analysis

To ensure the profitability of your laundry business, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the revenue streams and associated costs. Conducting a thorough revenue and cost analysis will help you make informed decisions and set realistic financial goals.

Revenue in a laundry business primarily comes from the services provided to customers. This includes the charges for washing, drying, ironing, and any additional services offered such as dry cleaning or alterations. It is important to estimate the average revenue per customer and the projected number of customers per day, week, or month to determine the total expected revenue.

On the cost side, various factors need to be considered. These include the initial investment in equipment and machinery, rent or lease expenses for the premises, utility costs such as water and electricity, employee wages, cleaning supplies, and maintenance expenses. Additionally, costs related to marketing and advertising efforts should also be accounted for.

By carefully analyzing the revenue and cost components, you can identify areas where costs can be optimized and revenue can be maximized, ultimately contributing to the profitability of your laundry business.

Funding Requirements and Forecasts

Determining the funding requirements for your laundry business is crucial for its successful launch and operation. The financial plan should outline the initial investment needed and the sources of funding, whether it be personal savings, loans, or investors.

The funding requirements will largely depend on the scale and scope of your laundry business. According to Huckleberry , it can cost anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000 to open an average-sized laundromat, with the majority of the cost attributed to commercial washers and dryers. It is important to carefully estimate the costs associated with equipment, renovations, permits, licenses, and any other expenses specific to your business.

In addition to determining the initial funding requirements, forecasting the financial performance of your laundry business is essential. This includes projecting the expected revenue, costs, and cash flow over a specific period, usually covering the first few years of operation. Financial forecasts provide insights into the viability of your business and assist in making strategic decisions.

By presenting a well-thought-out financial plan, including revenue and cost analysis as well as funding requirements and forecasts, you can demonstrate the potential profitability of your laundry business to potential investors or lenders.

Remember, it is advisable to consult with a financial professional or accountant to ensure accuracy and reliability in your financial planning process.

Market Insights and Trends

To develop a comprehensive laundry business plan, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the market insights and trends that impact the industry. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions and position your laundry business for success.

Growth in the Laundry Industry

The laundry industry is experiencing steady growth, making it an attractive venture for entrepreneurs looking to enter the market. According to Huckleberry , the global dry cleaning and laundry services market is projected to reach $104.6 billion by the end of 2021. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the busy lifestyles of people seeking convenient laundry solutions and the increasing demand for professional cleaning services.

As you develop your laundry business plan, it’s important to consider the potential for growth in the industry and how you can position your business to capitalize on this upward trend. Identifying your target market, understanding their needs, and offering unique value propositions will be key to your success.

Investment and Cost Considerations

When starting a laundry business, it’s crucial to consider the investment and cost factors associated with the venture. According to NerdWallet , the cost of opening an average-sized laundromat can range from $200,000 to $500,000. This estimate includes expenses for commercial washers and dryers, lease or purchase of a suitable location, renovations, permits, and other startup costs.

It’s important to conduct a thorough financial analysis and create a budget that accounts for all necessary expenses. This will help you secure the funding required to start your laundry business and ensure its smooth operation. Consider exploring different financing options such as business loans or partnerships to meet the upfront investment requirements.

To gauge the potential profitability of your laundry business, it’s valuable to understand the revenue and cash flow projections. According to NerdWallet , coin laundromats can generate annual cash flow ranging from $15,000 to $300,000, depending on various factors such as location, customer base, and service offerings. Conducting in-depth market research and analyzing industry benchmarks will provide valuable insights into the revenue potential of your laundry business.

By considering the growth potential of the laundry industry and carefully assessing the investment and cost factors, you can create a solid foundation for your laundry business plan. This will enable you to make informed decisions, secure the necessary funding, and position your business for long-term success. Remember to continuously monitor market trends and adapt your strategies as the industry evolves.

Marketing Strategies for Laundry Businesses

To ensure the success and growth of your laundry business, implementing effective marketing strategies is essential. By defining your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and developing a solid marketing plan, you can attract and retain customers while distinguishing your business from competitors.

Defining Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is what sets your laundry business apart from others in the market. It highlights the unique features, benefits, or qualities that make your business stand out. To define your USP, consider the following:

Target Audience: Understand your customers and their specific needs. Identify your ideal client based on factors such as demographics, location, and lifestyle. This knowledge will help you tailor your marketing messages to appeal to your target audience ( Cents ).

Differentiation: Identify what makes your laundry business unique. It could be superior customer service, convenient location hours, eco-friendly practices, or specialized services. Communicate these differentiators to potential customers to showcase the value you offer ( Huckleberry ).

Competitive Advantage: Analyze your competitors to understand what they offer and how you can differentiate yourself. Identify gaps in the market that your laundry business can fill. Highlight the advantages your business has over competitors, such as competitive pricing or additional services ( Cents ).

By clearly defining your USP, you can effectively communicate your value proposition to potential customers and stand out in the laundry business market.

Developing a Solid Marketing Plan

A well-crafted marketing plan is crucial for reaching your target audience and promoting your laundry business. Consider the following strategies when developing your marketing plan:

Online Presence: Establish a strong online presence to build trust and reach a wider audience. Create a professional website, set up social media profiles, and claim your Google Business Profile. Utilize email and SMS marketing to communicate with customers and share updates about your business ( Cents ).

Pricing Strategy: Pricing appropriately is important for attracting customers and maintaining profitability. Monitor competitors’ prices, consider fluctuating overhead costs, and factor in location, services, and customer service quality when determining pricing for services like machine usage, wash-and-fold, and pickup and delivery ( Cents ).

Promotions and Incentives: Implement promotions and incentives to attract and retain customers. Consider strategies such as social media contests, loyalty programs, referral discounts, “Discount Day” promotions, and gifts with purchase. These initiatives can engage customers, inspire brand loyalty, and create a buzz around your laundry business ( Cents ).

Local Events and Partnerships: Host or participate in local events to connect with the community and raise awareness of your laundry business. Consider partnerships with nearby businesses, such as hotels or gyms, to offer exclusive discounts or collaborations that benefit both parties. These local connections can help expand your customer base ( Cents ).

Remember, effective marketing requires continuous evaluation and adaptation. Regularly review your marketing efforts, track results, and make adjustments as needed to optimize your strategies and reach your target audience effectively. By focusing on your USP and implementing a carefully planned marketing strategy, you can promote your laundry business successfully and attract a loyal customer base.

Perform Deep Market Research In Seconds

Automate your competitor analysis and get market insights in moments

Create Your Account To Continue!

Automate your competitor analysis and get deep market insights in moments, stay ahead of your competition. discover new ways to unlock 10x growth., just copy and paste any url to instantly access detailed industry insights, swot analysis, buyer personas, sales prospect profiles, growth opportunities, and more for any product or business..

Small Business Trends

How to start a laundry business: a comprehensive guide, evaluating the laundry industry, understanding the growth potential.

The industry is witnessing a consistent growth trajectory due to several key factors. The prevalence of busy lifestyles and the rise of dual-income households have led to a greater demand for convenient laundry services.

The Different Types of Laundry Services

On the other hand, full-service laundries offer a comprehensive solution, taking care of every step from washing to folding. You may even consider the pros and cons of franchising  and look into brands offering a franchise model in this industry.

Benefits of Owning a Laundry Business

Developing a laundry business plan.

A well-crafted laundromat business plan is essential for the success of your laundry venture. There are many reasons to write a business plan in any industry, including the laundry business. This section’ll explore key components to consider when developing your laundry business plan.

Identifying Your Target Market

Analyzing the competition, choosing a laundry business model, determining your unique selling proposition.

Developing a unique selling proposition (USP) sets your laundry business apart from competitors. Define your USP by highlighting what makes your services unique, such as premium quality, personalized customer service, or convenient add-on services.

Starting Your Own Laundry Business

Finding the right location, purchasing or leasing equipment, licensing, permits, and insurance.

Starting a laundry business involves fulfilling legal requirements. This includes obtaining the necessary licenses, a sales tax permit and other permits, a business tax id number, and insurance policies, potentially including commercial auto insurance. You’ll also need to choose your business structure, such as a corporation or limited liability company.

Staffing and Training

Marketing Your Laundry Services

Building your brand, developing a marketing strategy.

A well-thought-out marketing strategy will help you reach your target audience effectively. Identify your ideal customers, conduct market research, and define your unique selling proposition. Understanding how marketing research can benefit a small business is essential for creating your strategy. Once you have this vital information, you can develop a plan that includes online and offline advertising, customer referrals, and partnerships with local businesses to maximize your marketing efforts.

Leveraging Social Media and Online Platforms

Maintaining and Growing Your Laundry Business

Managing finances, monitoring and improving customer satisfaction.

Customer satisfaction is crucial for the growth of your laundry business. Regularly seek customer feedback and proactively address any concerns or issues. Implement quality control measures to deliver excellent service consistently. Offer loyalty programs or incentives to foster long-term customer relationships.

Expanding Your Services

Adapting to industry trends.

Final Tips for Success in the Laundry Business

Staying organized and continuously improving your skills will keep you ahead of the competition. With these strategies in place, your laundry business is well-positioned for growth and profitability. Best of luck on your entrepreneurial journey!

How to Start a Laundry Business FAQs

What is the average cost of starting a laundry business, how much profit can i expect from my laundry business, are there any grants or funding opportunities available for starting a laundry business, how can i make my laundry business more eco-friendly.

To make your laundry business more eco-friendly, consider implementing energy-efficient equipment, such as high-efficiency washers and dryers. Use environmentally friendly detergents and offer reusable or biodegradable laundry bags. Additionally, educate customers on water and energy conservation practices, encouraging them to embrace sustainable laundry habits.

What are some common challenges faced by laundry business owners and how can I overcome them?

What Do You Need to Start a Laundry Business: A Comprehensive Guide for Success

Are you tired of the daily grind and looking to start your own business? Picture this: a bustling laundry business that not only brings in profits but also offers a service that everyone needs. Have you ever thought about the satisfaction of running your own successful venture?

Table of Contents

In this article, you’ll discover the essential steps and key elements required to kickstart your very own laundry business. From setting up your space to attracting customers, we’ve got you covered. Imagine the freedom of being your own boss and the potential for growth in a thriving industry.

Ready to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality? Let’s delve into what it takes to establish a successful laundry business and pave the way for your future success.

Key Takeaways

• Conduct thorough research on the laundry industry to understand market trends, competitors, regulatory requirements, technology integration, and customer preferences.
• Develop a comprehensive business plan including market research, business model development, financial planning, legal requirements, location selection, equipment acquisition, and marketing strategy.
• When setting up your laundry business, focus on securing legal compliance, designing a functional business space, sourcing quality equipment and supplies, hiring and training staff, implementing efficient operations, setting competitive prices, marketing your business, and providing excellent customer service.
• Utilize social media platforms, promotions and discounts, partnerships with local businesses, eye-catching flyers and brochures, local networking events, and customer referral programs to effectively market and promote your laundry business.
• Manage day-to-day operations efficiently by streamlining workflow, providing staff training and supervision, implementing effective inventory management, ensuring quality control measures, maintaining equipment properly, and building strong customer relations.

Researching the Laundry Industry

When considering starting a laundry business, it’s essential to conduct thorough research on the industry to ensure you make informed decisions for your venture. Researching the laundry industry can provide valuable insights that can guide your business strategy and help you stay competitive in the market.

Understanding Market Trends To kickstart your laundry business, begin by analyzing current market trends. It’s crucial to research the demand for laundry services in your target area. Look into factors such as the population density, demographics, and the presence of competitors. By understanding market trends, you can tailor your services to meet the specific needs of your potential customers.

Exploring Competitors Take the time to research your competitors in the laundry industry. Identify key players in the market, their service offerings, pricing strategies, and customer reviews. By studying your competitors, you can gain valuable insights into areas where you can differentiate your business and offer unique services to attract customers.

Regulatory Requirements Research the regulatory requirements and licensing procedures for starting a laundry business in your area. Ensure compliance with local regulations related to sanitation, waste disposal, and business permits. Understanding the legal framework will help you establish a legitimate and reputable laundry business.

Technology Integration Stay updated on technological advancements in the laundry industry. Research innovative laundry equipment, software solutions for inventory management, and customer booking systems. Embracing technology can streamline your operations, enhance customer experience, and improve overall efficiency in your business.

Customer Preferences Conduct surveys or focus groups to understand customer preferences and expectations regarding laundry services. Researching customer preferences can help you tailor your service offerings, pricing, and marketing strategies to meet the needs of your target audience effectively.

Researching the laundry industry is a crucial step in laying the foundation for a successful business. By delving into market trends, studying competitors, navigating regulatory requirements, embracing technology, and understanding customer preferences, you can position your laundry business for growth and success in a competitive market.

Business Planning

When considering starting a laundry business, it’s crucial to solidify your business planning to pave the way for a successful venture. Here’s a breakdown of essential steps to kickstart your laundry business:

Market Research:

Begin by conducting thorough market research to understand the local demand for laundry services, analyze your target customer demographics, and assess competitors’ offerings. Gathering this data will help you tailor your services to meet customer needs and differentiate your business.

Business Model Development:

Next, define your business model by determining the types of laundry services you’ll offer—whether it’s self-service laundromats, drop-off services, or specialized cleaning services. Choose a model that aligns with your target market and sets you apart from competitors.

Financial Planning:

Create a detailed financial plan outlining startup costs, equipment expenses, operational costs, and revenue projections. Consider seeking advice from financial experts to ensure your financial projections are realistic and sustainable.

Legal Requirements:

Research and comply with all legal requirements for operating a laundry business in your area. This includes permits, licenses, insurance, and adherence to health and safety regulations. Failing to meet these requirements can result in penalties and jeopardize your business.

Location Selection:

Carefully choose a suitable location for your laundry business based on factors like foot traffic, accessibility, parking availability, and proximity to your target market. The right location can significantly impact your business’s visibility and success.

Equipment Acquisition:

Invest in high-quality laundry equipment tailored to your business model. Whether it’s commercial washers, dryers, steam presses, or folding tables, having reliable equipment is essential for efficient operations and customer satisfaction.

Marketing Strategy:

Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote your laundry business. Utilize both online and offline channels to reach your target audience, such as social media marketing, local advertising, and partnerships with nearby businesses.

By meticulously planning each aspect of your laundry business, you’ll establish a strong foundation for growth and sustainability in the competitive industry. Take the time to strategize and execute your plans diligently to maximize the potential for success.

Setting Up the Laundry Business

When establishing your laundry business, there are key steps to consider to ensure a successful start.

Securing Legal Compliance

Ensure the proper legal structure for your business by registering it with the relevant authorities. Obtain all required permits and licenses to operate legally in your area.

Designing Your Business Space

Create a functional layout for your laundry facility. Allocate areas for washing, drying, folding, and storage. Optimize the flow for both customers and employees.

Sourcing Equipment and Supplies

Purchase high-quality washers, dryers, folding tables, detergents, and other necessary supplies. Invest in energy-efficient machines to reduce operational costs.

Hiring and Training Staff

Recruit skilled and reliable employees for your laundry business. Train them on equipment operation, customer service, and laundry handling procedures to maintain quality standards.

Implementing Efficient Operations

Establish a system for handling customer orders, sorting laundry, managing inventory, and ensuring timely service. Implement technology solutions for booking appointments and tracking orders.

Setting Competitive Prices

Research local market rates and competitors to set competitive prices for your laundry services. Consider offering discounts or loyalty programs to attract and retain customers.

Marketing Your Business

Develop a marketing strategy to promote your laundry business. Utilize social media, local advertising, and partnerships with nearby businesses to increase visibility and attract new customers.

Providing Excellent Customer Service

Focus on providing exceptional customer service to build loyalty and generate positive reviews. Address customer concerns promptly and maintain a clean and welcoming environment in your laundry facility.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to set up a successful laundry business and pave the way for future growth and profitability.

Marketing and Promotions

When it comes to marketing and promotions for your laundry business, the key is to reach your target audience effectively and showcase what makes your services unique. Here are some actionable strategies to help you promote your business successfully:

Utilize Social Media Platforms

Create engaging posts that highlight your services, promotions, and customer testimonials. Run targeted ads to reach potential customers in your local area. Interact with your audience by responding to comments and messages promptly.

Offer Promotions and Discounts

Introduce first-time customer discounts to attract new clients. Implement loyalty programs to retain existing customers. Organize referral programs to incentivize current customers to spread the word.

Partner with Local Businesses

Collaborate with hotels or Airbnb hosts to offer laundry services to their guests. Offer special discounts to employees of nearby businesses. Participate in community events to increase brand visibility.

Create Eye-Catching Flyers and Brochures

Design visually appealing materials to distribute in your target area. Include clear calls to action encouraging potential customers to try your services. Highlight your unique selling points to stand out from competitors.

Attend Local Networking Events

Build relationships with other business owners who may refer clients to you. Share your business cards and engage in meaningful conversations. Offer special promotions exclusively for event attendees .

Implement Customer Referral Programs

Reward customers who refer friends and family with discounts or free services. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews online. Show appreciation for customer loyalty with personalized thank you notes or small gifts.

By implementing these marketing and promotional strategies, you can effectively showcase your laundry business to potential customers and build a strong presence in your community.

Managing Operations

When it comes to managing the day-to-day operations of your laundry business, it’s crucial to establish efficient systems and practices that ensure smooth functioning and customer satisfaction. Here are some key aspects to focus on:

Streamlining Workflow

To optimize productivity, consider implementing a systematic workflow that covers receiving, sorting, washing, drying, folding, and packaging of laundry items. By organizing these processes efficiently, you can minimize turnaround times, prevent mix-ups, and deliver consistent quality service.

Staff Training and Supervision

Investing in comprehensive training for your staff on handling different types of fabrics, using equipment properly, maintaining cleanliness, and delivering excellent customer service is essential. Continuous supervision and feedback help maintain operational standards and identify areas for improvement.

Inventory Management

Effective inventory management is vital to ensure you have an adequate supply of detergents, softeners, packaging materials, and other essentials. Regularly monitoring stock levels, identifying fast-moving items, and replenishing supplies in a timely manner can prevent disruptions in service.

Quality Control Measures

Implementing quality control measures such as routine inspections, customer feedback mechanisms, and periodic audits can help uphold service quality standards. Addressing any issues promptly and maintaining consistency in the quality of work are key to building a loyal customer base.

Equipment Maintenance

Regular maintenance of washers, dryers, ironing equipment, and any other machinery is crucial to avoid breakdowns and delays in service. Developing a maintenance schedule, conducting regular checks, and promptly repairing any faults can prolong the lifespan of equipment and ensure uninterrupted operations.

Customer Relations

Building strong relationships with your customers is essential for business success. Implementing effective communication channels, addressing customer queries and complaints promptly, and seeking feedback to understand their preferences can help enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

By focusing on these operational aspects, you can establish a well-run laundry business that delivers quality services, maintains efficiency, and fosters strong customer relationships.

Starting a laundry business requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a focus on customer satisfaction. By conducting thorough research, developing a solid business plan, ensuring legal compliance, and implementing efficient operational practices, you can set yourself up for success in this competitive industry. Remember to prioritize staff training, maintain quality control measures, and build strong relationships with your customers to establish a loyal client base. With dedication, hard work, and a commitment to excellence, your laundry business can thrive and grow over time. Good luck on your entrepreneurial journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how important is market research for starting a laundry business.

Market research is crucial for understanding customer needs, identifying competitors, and determining market trends to make informed business decisions.

2. What are the key steps in business planning for a laundry business?

Key steps include market research, business model development, financial planning, legal compliance, location selection, equipment acquisition, and marketing strategy.

3. How can I streamline workflow in my laundry business?

Workflow can be streamlined by optimizing processes, utilizing technology for efficiency, organizing tasks logically, and training staff effectively.

4. Why is customer relationship management essential for a laundry business?

Building strong customer relationships fosters loyalty, leads to repeat business, generates positive word-of-mouth, and sustains long-term success.

5. What measures can I take to ensure quality control in my laundry business?

Implementing quality control measures such as regular inspections, staff training, standardized processes, and using quality products can help maintain high service standards.

Related Posts

How many ounces of laundry detergent per load: expert tips for perfect cleaning, free laundry detergent guide: smart ways to get it without spending a dime, how to use dry laundry detergent like a pro: expert tips and common mistakes to avoid, diy laundry detergent: tips for making clean, natural, and cost-effective solutions, how much liquid bleach to add to laundry: achieve safe and effective stain removal, get cheap laundry detergent: money-saving tips, diy recipes, and smart buying strategies, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Important Pages

• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy

Popular articles

• How To Get Chocolate Stains Out
• Can You Iron Non-Iron Shirts?
• Does Laundry Detergent Have Ammonia?
• How To Separate Clothes for Laundry?
• How Long Does it Take For Dust To Settle After Vacuuming

Editor's Picks

• Does Steam Cleaning Remove Stains
• How to Get a Stain Out of a Backpack
• Does Lemon Juice Remove Blood Stains?
• Can You Iron a Wet Shirt
• Can You Use a Straightener as an Iron?
• Steam Cleaning
• Car Cleaning
• Bathroom Cleaning
• Robot Vacuums
• Stain Removal

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Learning center series

Fundamentals of a laundry business plan

• Published on February 23, 2024
• by Marketing Team
• Last updated: 4 months ago

Surviving in the laundry business is akin to crossing the Sahara with only a water bottle- hopeful, but rarely successful. Indeed, an alarming 90% of laundry enterprises wither before they bloom. What makes this grim statistic less daunting, is that failure often leaves behind a trail of wisdom for the rest to tread upon.

From analyzing a decade’s worth of data, we’ve unravelled common pitfalls and silent killers lurking behind your launderette’s ‘Closed’ sign. Insights that not only shed light on why some businesses stumble but also unravel the tools to dodge those obstacles.

Watch a phoenix rise from the ashes of a failed laundry business, as we explore these illuminating lessons.

Worldwide Dry Cleaning Industry Size 🌍 The dry cleaning industry has an estimated total market size of approximately USD 60 billion globally.

Metrobi has been a game changer for laundry industry.

With Metrobi, you can save 23% on delivery costs, save 80% of the time from managing deliveries, and delight your customers with delivery notifications & tracking.

Laundry Business Plan Essentials: Your Blueprint to Success

Understanding your audience and choosing the right venue are crucial for flourishing in the laundry business.

Understanding Your Target Market: The Key to Customer Acquisition

Better returns stem from better understanding of your audience. This cannot be overstated in the laundry business.

Market research lets you dive into the psyche of your potential customers. Think about it, a parent juggling work and personal life might prefer a comprehensive service that offers door-to-door pickup and delivery services over service. On the other hand, students may prioritize affordability over other services. At Metrobi, we specialize in managing delivery operations for laundromats, providing an efficient service for door-to-door laundry collection and delivery .

By identifying your target customers, you can better cater for their specific needs, thereby increasing customer acquisition.

Ever thought about who your ‘go-to’ customer is? Identifying and understanding your target market is not about casting a wide net, but rather focusing on a specific consumer profile. It’s not about appealing to everyone, but about being the best for someone. Your business model, services, and even pricing should be designed around your target audience’s preferences and behaviours.

Choosing the Right Location: The Cornerstone of Your Laundry Business

Location is key in the physical realms of business. It’s no different in the laundry industry.

There are factors to think about when choosing your business’ location. Sure, a bustling city center might guarantee foot traffic. But also consider the convenience factor. Are you within a comfortable distance for your target market? Is there paring? What about competition in the area? These considerations play a crucial role when deciding where you set up shop. Does offering a delivery service for laundry enhance the accessibility of your business for those not within immediate vicinity? This article delves into how a laundry pickup and delivery option might broaden your customer base.

Your carefully selected location will significantly influence your business success. We’re talking increased visibility, ease of access and overall convenience for your customers.

Consider this, a parent tumbling under tons of chores would preferably want to drop-off and pick-up laundry en-route to work/school or shopping. If your business is located strategically, it’s hard to ignore!

Don’t be carried away though. Prime location comes with a heavy price-tag and increased competition. You need to carefully assess how this affects your bottom line.

U.S. Self-Service Laundromats Market Share 🇺🇸 In the United States, self-service laundromats account for about 85% of the overall coin-operated laundry equipment market share.

Save 80% of the time from managing deliveries and drivers.

Metrobi provides a dedicated operations manager that coordinates drivers on your behalf and solves urgent issues.

Common Mistakes in Laundry Business Planning: Avoiding the Pitfalls

Underestimating startup costs: a recipe for financial disaster.

Managing the finances is a critical aspect of launching any new serious business venture, including a laundry venture.

▪️ The establishment of a laundry business involves a host of expenses that are often overlooked. These range from capitalized rent, equipment, insurance, to more hidden costs like permits, licenses, and maintenance budgets. Entrepreneurs frequently underestimate these expenses, leading to inadequate budgets and financial strain down the line. Armed with a detailed understanding of these costs, you’ll start on the right foot.

▪️ The danger of underestimating startup costs is not to be taken lightly. It can result in a premature cash flow crunch, forcing the entrepreneurs to either inject more personal capital or take on high-interest debt. Keep your business afloat and thriving by accurately projecting your initial capital requirements.

Neglecting Customer Service: The Silent Business Killer

Customer service isn’t just important; it’s absolutely essential in the laundry industry.

▪️ In the often crowded and competitive laundry market, exceptional customer service can set apart a business. From handling customer complaints gracefully to offering services tailored to customer needs, it’s these details that make a lasting impression. Comprehend the integral role of customer service in the laundry business to ensure long-term success.

▪️ Strategies for improving customer experience are manifold. From training employees in customer interaction to implementing customer-friendly policies, several effective techniques can be adopted. Rigorous application of these strategies can help elevate a laundry business to the highest level of customer satisfaction, thereby creating a loyal customer base.

Self-Service Washers and Dryers Rental Revenue 💰 The rental revenue generated from self-service washers and dryers in the U.S. reached nearly USD 2.4 billion in 2020.

Effective Marketing Strategies for Laundromat Business: Attracting and Retaining Customers

Leveraging social media: connecting with your customers.

Social media has proven to be an essential tool for business marketing. As a laundry business owner, it offers a personal and direct interaction with your current and potential clients.

The role of social media in marketing a laundry business

Social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can revamp the face of your laundry business from a simple service provider to a digital-friendly local household name. The power lies in their real-time communication and customer engagement capabilities. By sharing relevant content like laundry tips and techniques, responses to customer inquiries and snippets of fun and warmth behind the scenes of your operation, you build a community around your brand. This will, in turn, foster trust and loyalty among your customers.

Tips for effective social media marketing

Perfect social media marketing rides on consistency, creativity, and connection with your audience. Maintain frequent but meaningful engagements on your platforms, be it through content, responses, or promotions. Craft your posts with crisp and lively images, videos, text, and hashtags – visuals that draw attention and spark interest. To achieve this, ensure regular scheduling of posts, interactive and timely responses to clients, and even enticing yet accountable offers like social media exclusive discounts.

Growth Rate of On-Demand Laundry Services 📈 The on-demand laundry services market is growing at a CAGR of around 12%, driven primarily by urbanization and changing consumer preferences.

Implementing a Loyalty Program: Rewarding Your Customers

As much as attracting new customers is important, retaining your current customers is equally paramount. There are costs and efforts involved in acquiring a new customer while a satisfied and loyal customer brings repeat business and possibly referral clients.

*The benefits of a loyalty program for a dry cleaning and laundry business**

Loyalty programs inspire repeat customers, encourage an increase in purchase frequency, and nurture customer-to-customer recommendations, thus increasing your customer base. As they foster a positive business-customer rapport, these benefits culminate in higher profit margins and business growth.

How to implement a successful loyalty program

A successful loyalty program in the  laundry business  stems from understanding the needs and preferences of your customers, setting clear and achievable rewards, and maintaining simplicity in program understanding and reward redemption. This system could leverage a point-based or tiered system, rewarding customers based on the frequency and volume of services used. You could also incorporate non-monetary rewards like exclusive access to new services or products. It is essential to incorporate an easy to use tracking system, possibly digital, for accessibility and convenience for both the customer and your business.

Remember, a marketing strategy is as robust as its implementation. Engage with your customers, reward their loyalty and your laundry business will surely beat the daunting statistics.

Average Annual Spending per Household on Laundry Products 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 American households spend an average of USD 250 annually on laundry products such as detergents, fabric softeners, and stain removers.

Financial Projections for Laundry Services: Planning for Profitability

Setting realistic revenue goals: the path to profitability.

Crafting a path to profitability begins with setting realistic revenue goals. Goals which are too ambitious could leave you disappointed and disheartened, while set too low could mean missed opportunities for growth and expansion. So, how do you strike the right balance?

For a laundry business, it involves understanding the earning potential within your market space and aligning it with your capacity and capabilities. Research competitors, assess your location’s laundry needs, and estimate the pricing of your services accordingly. Don’t forget to account for seasonality and fluctuations in consumer behavior. With proper research and planning, you can produce an initial financial forecast that paints a practical and profitable picture.

Just setting these goals isn’t enough though. This leads us to the next important task – regular financial assessments and adjustments.

In the dynamic world of business, conditions change and so should your goals. A regular financial review allows you to modify and refine your revenue expectations based on the actual performance and external factors such as increasing competition or changing consumer behavior. The aim is to keep your business sustainable and profitable in the long run.

Controlling Costs: Maximizing Your Bottom Line

Behind every profitable laundry business lies a well-implemented cost control strategy. Understanding the common costs associated with a laundry business is the first step

Energy expenditures (water and power), supply costs, equipment maintenance, and labor are some usual cost drivers in this industry. Making informed decisions in these areas can significantly influence your bottom-line. For example, investing in energy-efficient machines might be costly initially, but it can lead to substantial savings on utility bills in the long run.

Discussing strategies for cost control, the efficiency of your operations plays a huge role. Streamlining processes, investing in effective business management software and reducing waste are some common strategies. Employee training for better equipment handling can also help reduce maintenance costs.

Remember, every dollar saved is an additional dollar earned.

By carefully planning your revenue goals and implementing effective cost control strategies, you can pave the way for a sustainable and profitable laundry business. It’s all about understanding your earnings, controlling expenses, and constantly adjusting your financial plans to suit the business environment.

Every stake in profitability takes you a step further from being part of the 90% of laundry businesses that fail and a step closer to successful business ownership. It’s a complex task, but with methodical approach and continuous learning, it’s entirely achievable.

Global Laundry Care Market Growth 🌍 The worldwide Laundry Care market is projected to grow by 3.18% (2024-2028), reaching a market volume of US$122.50 billion in 2028.

Operational Considerations for a Successful Laundry Business: Ensuring Smooth Operations

Laundry businesses, commercial laundry, laundromat services, and laundry service are essential components of a successful laundromat business plan.

Incorporating washing machines, fold services, delivery service, and vending machines can enhance the customer experience and contribute to a solid business plan template. Metrobi specializes in elevating laundromats by offering streamlined services for delivering laundry .

Effective marketing materials, a well-thought-out sales strategy, and maintaining optimal business hours are crucial for cash flow and the overall success of laundromat businesses. By focusing on these key elements, a laundromat business can thrive in the competitive market of laundry facilities. Looking to enhance your laundromat business? Discover strategies for attracting new customers, optimizing your workforce, and expanding your commercial laundry operations .

Staffing Your Laundry Business: Building a Winning Team

Your team is the lifeblood of your business.

1 in 2 successful laundry businesses attribute their success to dedicated and skilled staff. Their role encompasses dealing with customers, maintaining, and operating the equipment, among others. Businesses with high staff turnover often have a bleak financial outlook.

Hiring quality staff goes beyond just filling positions. You need people who are dependable, quick to learn, and passionate about providing excellent service. A well thought hiring process can gear your laundry business to success—right from job postings to interviews and practical tests aimed at understanding a potential employee’s hands-on skills in managing laundry operations. Once onboard, retaining them should be your next priority. Employment benefits, a conducive work environment, and continuous training are among the techniques employed by successful laundry businesses to lower staff turnover rates.

Equipment Maintenance: Keeping Your Laundry Business Running Smoothly

Smooth operations translate to happy customers and ultimately, financial success. A key factor that facilitates smooth business operations is the state of your equipment. Ensure your critical machinery is always in top condition with laundry pick-up and delivery services , streamlining your operational efficiency and bolstering customer satisfaction.

Regular maintenance of your laundry machines is non-negotiable. Your business heavily depends on this machinery. Broken machines mean no service, and no service means no income. Implementing and sticking to a maintenance schedule will not only ensure your equipment lasts longer but can also save you significant amounts in repair costs down the line. Embrace the convenience and advantages of delivery services for laundry , ensuring your business continues to operate smoothly without the downtime of broken machinery.

Creating a maintenance schedule may seem a daunting task, but it’s simpler than most think. Start by reading the manufacturer’s guide for each machine. Highlight the recommended maintenance activities and how often these should be performed. Next, chart a plan based on these activities, designating times when they can be executed with minimal interruptions to business operations. The ultimate goal is to ensure regular checks and timely rectification of problems before they worsen and cause operational downtime.

US Laundry Care Market Growth 🇺🇸 The Laundry Care market in the United States is expected to grow by 2.46% (2024-2028), with a market volume of US$17.41 billion in 2028.

Why Do Laundry Businesses Fail: Lessons from a Decade of Data

Small business owners looking to establish a profitable laundromat may benefit from creating detailed business plans that outline financial projections and marketing strategies.

Securing small business loans can help cover initial costs such as laundry equipment and supplies. Additionally, offering additional services like wash and fold can attract college students and other customers. Metrobi supports laundromats by managing their delivery operations, delivering services across more than 20 US cities, with courier capabilities in Chicago .

Developing a strong financial plan and considering the legal structure of the business are crucial steps in ensuring the success of the existing laundromat. Implementing effective marketing channels and choosing a memorable business name can further enhance the visibility and reputation of the wash and fold service. Metrobi is at the forefront of offering delivery services across more than 20 US cities, including providing courier services in New York City , to support laundromats in expanding their operations efficiently.

Lack of Planning: The Biggest Culprit

Looking back at past laundry business failures, a dominant culprit is poor planning. A laundry business isn’t just about having equipment and a location; it encompasses detailed preparation and understanding of demographic data, competition, pricing strategy, and more.

In the same vein, the importance of a detailed, comprehensive business plan is paramount. It provides a roadmap for your business, showing the destination and how to get there. It outlines goals, operational plans, marketing strategies, and financial projections, forming the foundation of your venture.

Inadequate Marketing: Missing the Mark

With competition fiercer than ever in today’s digital age, businesses cannot afford to neglect the impact of marketing on success. It’s imperative that an adequate portion of the budget be dedicated to researched and tailored marketing strategies that resonate with the target audience.

Laundry businesses often falter, falling into common marketing pits. These missteps range from unclear branding to not leveraging social media platforms or ignoring online reviews. Avoiding these pitfalls and harnessing new marketing opportunities can greatly impact business growth and client base.

Poor Customer Service: The Silent Killer

Another major factor in the failure of laundry businesses is subpar customer service. In a rapidly evolving consumer market, customers demand high-quality, prompt, and personalized service. Neglecting this can quickly lead to dwindling customer loyalty and business failure.

In order to circumvent this, laundry businesses should adopt strategies for improving customer service and retaining customers. Emphasis on customer satisfaction, prompt response to complaints, and proactive actions to meet customer needs can boost loyalty and ensure a steady stream of clients.

Global Home & Laundry Care Market Growth 🏡 The worldwide Home & Laundry Care market is forecasted to grow by 4.09% (2024-2028), resulting in a market volume of US$239.80 billion in 2028.

Financial Mismanagement: A Fast Track to Failure

A common thread in business failure is financial mismanagement. Negligence or lack of expertise in handling finances can quickly deplete resources and impair growth.

Knowledgeable financial management tips such as setting clear financial goals, keeping track of spending, regularly reviewing financial performance, and planning ahead can aid survival. By keeping a close watch on finances, businesses can catch issues early on and rectify them before they become unmanageable.

Operational Inefficiencies: The Hidden Drain on Profits

Operational inefficiencies are a constant, albeit hidden, drain on profitability. It’s like a termite, eating away at the business, often unnoticed until it’s too late. Inefficiencies could stem from outdated technology, improper inventory management, or flawed workflow processes.

Laundromat owners in the local area can utilize their personal savings to invest in coin-operated machines. Conducting a competitive analysis is crucial before deciding to hire employees and secure funding.

Key aspects such as targeting apartment buildings, implementing search engine optimization, and preparing detailed financial statements are essential for the success of a new laundromat as a new business venture.

Harnessing measures to optimize operational efficiency can significantly boost productivity and profitability. These can include investing in the latest technology, fine-tuning workflow processes, and adopting data-driven inventory management systems.

Revenue of the US Laundry Care Market 💵 The revenue of the laundry business in the U.S. was $7,370 million in 2010 and is expected to reach $7,660 million by 2022 .

Stepping Out of the Spin Cycle: Learning from the Laundry Business Bust

Statistics don’t lie. Over the past decade, missteps in understanding your market, incorrect pricing strategies, and mismanaging growth plans are the common causes behind 90% of laundry businesses crashing and burning.

Remember, these challenges aren’t unique; they plague businesses across all sectors. Use the lessons drawn from laundry industry real-life scenarios to sidestep these pitfalls successfully.

Mitigate these risk factors by saying no to ‘one size fits all’ traditional marketing, embracing competitive pricing frameworks, and aligning your growth in sync with your capabilities. Because nothing worth having comes easy.

Could you identify any other potential choke points in the laundry business from your personal experience?

Here’s to the brave 10%, crushing it in the laundry business. You’ve got this.

Laundry delivery unpacked: Simplifying your chore routine

Adding a laundry delivery service can boost your profits

How to grow your commercial laundry service offering

‟It was just invaluable for us to be able to just hand off the delivery process”

Smart Lunches

‟With Metrobi, we’re now doing home deliveries in the Greater Boston area”

GrandTen Distilling

‟Reliability, Accuracy & Timeliness”

Bartleby’s Ice Cream Cakes

‟We don’t have to worry about the vehicles anymore”

Urban Agriculture Cooperative

• Laundry Business Plan
• commercial laundry service

• laundry delivery service

• Laundry Delivery

• Charcuterie Business
• charcuterie business

• Charcuterie Business Plan
• charcuterie business plan

• Dispatching
• Manual vs. Automated Dispatching

• Enterprise Marketing
• enterprise marketing

• Grow Your Business Online
• Website Benchmarking

• Lost Luggage Delivery Service
• lost luggage delivery service

• Route Optimization
• travelling salesman problem

• Types of Shipping Methods
• International shipping

• Click and collect shipping

• omnichannel logistics

• dynamic route optimization

• Last Mile Delivery Glossary
• green transportation

Success Stories

LuNo Culinary

Field Trip Flowers

Hanato Floral Design

Fleurs to You

DELIVER WITH METROBI

Grow with confidence

• 55 Court St floor 2, Boston, MA 02108
• [email protected]
• Team Metrobi
• Privacy policy
• Terms of service
• Write for us

Refer us to a company, you earn $250 and they earn $250. Learn more

• Shopify Delivery Planner App
• Delivery Management Software
• Atlanta courier service
• Boston courier service
• Chicago courier service
• Denver courier service
• Miami courier service
• New York City courier service
• Los Angeles courier service
• Philadelphia courier service
• San Francisco courier service
• Washington DC courier service
• See all locations
• Bulk Order Delivery Service
• Express Urgent Delivery Service
• Fixed Route Delivery Service
• On Demand Delivery Service
• Overnight Delivery Service
• Same Day Delivery Service
• Scheduled Delivery Service
• Wholesale Delivery Service
• See all delivery services
• Metrobi vs. Onfleet
• Metrobi vs. Roadie
• Metrobi vs. Roadie Support
• Artisan Food
• Food Producers

Want to access our large pool of drivers?

We started Metrobi to take operations off your plate. We provide drivers (rated 4.97/5), dedicated operation managers (70% cheaper), and routing software with a receiver notification system.

Laundry Service Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Service Industry » Laundry Business

Are you about starting a laundry & dry cleaning business ? If YES, here is a complete sample laundromat business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE.

Hygiene is one important thing that must not be practiced with less seriousness; as a matter of fact, it has to be a frequent practice. One must take it really seriously, so as to avert bad odor and sickness; it is for this reason that one must keep things really clean.

This is also the reason why people love to wash their clothes. However, there are times when one might not have the luxury of time to the laundry. That is where the Laundromat business comes in. This is one business that people all over the world are beginning to key into because of the level of profitability which it promises.

If you are thinking to start in this line of trade, then that is a good idea. Good news is that you can choose to start on a small or large scale. This all depends on the capital which you have got to start the business Below is a sample Laundry business plan.

A Sample Laundry Service Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

In the united states of America and in most developed countries of the world, self-service laundry business which is popularly called Laundromat in the United States is rapidly an essential part of the urban life. This is so because in this age and time, 24 hours seems not to be enough, especially for people that work in the corporate world or even those who run their own businesses.

As the name implies, a self-service laundry or coin wash / laundry or Laundromat is a laundry facility where people come in to personally wash and dry their clothes; technically, customers provide their own labor and still pay the price for making use of the laundry equipment made available.

Customers have the option of paying with coins which is the popular payment option and they can also pay via swipe cards that subtract the cost of the wash or dry or even via mobile money. Despite the fact that customers provide their own labor, some Laundromat owners still employ people to man or provide assistance to customers.

It is normal to find Laundromats where operators are employed to man the day to day operations, as well as provide value added services like; helping customers iron their clothes, starch their clothes, and fold their clothes et al.

Usually when Laundromat hire employees, the core responsibility assigned to them is to man the counter, give directions to customers, sell washing powder, sell laundry bags, provide change and watch over the washing machines and other equipment in the Laundromat to guide against theft of the machines or even customer’s clothes.

Although the laundry industry can be said to be a competitive trade, but it does not in any way stop entrepreneurs who are creative to still make headway in the trade.

It is indeed a profitable industry especially when the business is well located. No doubt busy cities with growing population might just be highly suitable for Laundromat. There are loads of people that patronize Laundromats; and they include; busy corporate executives, students, and even senior citizens.

In the bid to stay afloat in the highly competitive Laundromat business, owners of Laundromats now go the extra mile to ensure that they make their facilities welcoming and conducive for customers. As a result, Laundromats now have coffee bars, snack bars, cigar lounge, video games, children’s playground and free Wi-Fi connection, amongst others.

Over and above, any aspiring entrepreneur can comfortably start his or her own Laundromat business by acquiring an existing Laundromat and then refurbish it to meet the expected standard, or start the business from the scratch by constructing a new one and then equip it with the needed equipment and accessories.

The average startup cost for a standard Laundromat business is around $250,000 to $500,000. When starting your own Laundromat business, ensure that you choose a location where you can easily attract the kind of people that patronize Laundromat services.

2. Executive Summary

Las Vegas City Laundromat is a registered Laundromat facility that was built to serve the people of Las Vegas- especially the busy corporate executives and students. Our Laundromat will be located in the heart of the city of Las Vegas which is less than 30 minute drive from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, and 10 minutes minute drive from Mandalay Bay Event Center.

We are strategically positioned in the world’s headquarter for casinos and games; a commercial center and we are set to services the whole of the community as well as visitors and travelers alike. Las Vegas City Laundromat is a standard Laundromat in a 6,000 square feet facility; we have one of the biggest Laundromats with the latest and easy to use washing machines and dryers.

Aside from welcoming customers to do their laundry chores at an affordable fee in our Laundromat, we have a conducive environment that will encourage them to always choose us as their number one choice. We have a coffee bar in our facility, we cigar lounge, we have children’s fun center and video games and snacks bar et al.

Our Laundromat will be open from 6 a.m. and close 10 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays and will run a 24 hours service from Friday to Sunday. We decided to operate in this format because from our market survey and feasibility studies, we realized that customers usually do most of their laundry during weekends.

Las Vegas City Laundromat is a proud member of the Coin Laundry Association of America and we are well positioned to become one of the leading Laundromat facilities in the whole of Nevada. We will be providing our esteemed customers the right environment and equipment for them to comfortably do their laundry.

We will also provide additional services such as ironing, folding and packaging of clothes for our customers. Our attendants will always be available to change money, sell detergents and softeners et al. We are quite aware that in order to become the number one Laundromat in Nevada, we must continue to make our facility welcoming and relaxing and that is exactly what we will do.

We are open to the use of latest technology in the industry. No doubt our excellent customer service and the range of additional complementary services we offer will position us to become one of the leading Laundromats in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas City Laundromat is owned and managed by Anthony Miller and family. The business will be financed by Mr. Miller and he will be actively involved in the day to day operation of the Laundromat. Mr. Anthony Miller has a B.Sc. in Business Administration and Management and he has well over 5 years of experience in the service industry.

3. Our Products and Services

Las Vegas City Laundromat is a standard Laundromat with state of the art facility specifically positioned to become the market leader in the industry. Our major purpose of starting this business is to provide a suitable and comfortable facility where people can easily do their laundries with little stress at an affordable fee.

Much more than providing a facility where people can do their laundries, we also offer complementary services; services that will get our customers hook to us. Bottom line is that we will go all the way to help our customers maximize their time when they patronize our Laundromat. These are the services and amenities that will be made available to our customers;

• Self – service washing
• Dry cleaning services
• Folding and packaging of clothes
• Home delivery services
• Cigar lounge
• Children playground
• Video games
• Big screen movies

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to operate one of the most successfully Laundromat in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Our mission is to develop a highly successful and profitable Laundromat business with state of the art facility in the heart of Las Vegas, Nevada; a business that will not only meet the needs of her clients but also supersede their expectations.

Our Business Structure

Las Vegas City Laundromat is set to become one of the leading Laundromat businesses in the whole of Nevada, hence the need for us to build a solid business foundation and business structure that will enable us achieve our aims and objectives.

Excellent customer service and efficiency are top priority for us which is why we will ensure that we look for applicants that match the picture of the business who want to build before hiring them. Although we will provide trainings in areas such as excellent customers services et al, but we will ensure that we shortlist applicants that are customer centric.

In essence, we want to build a team, a dedicated workforce that will work together to help the organization achieve its set targets.

We will not only hire attendants that will help supervise our Laundromat and attend to customers need when they patronize our services, but we will also hire employees that will manage our coffee café, cigar lounge, snacks bar, and our children’s playgrounds et al. Las Vegas City Laundromat will employ customer centric and skilled people to occupy the following position;

• Manager (Owner)
• Accountant / Cashier
• Marketing Officer
• Laundromat Attendant
• Coffee Café and Snacks Bar Manager

Cigar Lounge Manager

• Children’s Playground Manager
• Security Guard

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Manager (Owner):

• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for recruitment
• Responsible for payment of salaries
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for managing the daily activities at the Laundromat
• Ensures that the facility is in tip top shape and conducive enough to welcome customers
• Interfaces with vendors
• Prepares budget and reports for the organization
• Responsible for Training and Development in the organization
• Handles procurement
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team hires

Marketing Officer (2)

• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information.
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps increase sales and growth for the company
• Manages the company’s CRM system
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al

Coffee Café and Snacks Bar Manager:

• Interacts with customers, take orders for coffee and snacks.
• Responsible for preparing different flavor and style of coffee for customers
• Makes lists of supplies in conjunction with the bar manager
• Ensures that each cup of coffee that leaves the kitchen is tailor made and meet the request of each customer
• Responsible for quality control
• Assesses customers’ needs and preferences and make recommendations
• Makes lists of supplies in conjunction with the management
• Prepares inventory or purchase requisitions as needed to replenish supplies.
• Ensures that the assigned bar area is fully equipped with tools and products needed for Mixing beverages and serving guests.
• Responsible for managing the cigar lounge
• Prepares inventory or purchase requisitions as needed to re – stock the lounge.
• Clears ashtrays regularly
• Ensures that the assigned lounge area is fully equipped with tools and products needed to by our clients

Accountant / Cashier:

• Moves round the machines to collect payment after each working shift
• Prepares financial report at the end of every working week
• Handles all financial transaction on behalf of the company
• Interfaces with our bankers
• Responsible for payment of tax, levies and utility bills
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the manager

Laundromat Attendants

• Mans the various washing machines and dryers
• Assists customers as required by them especially on how to operate our machines
• Provides change for customers
• Sells detergent and softener to customers
• Ensures that the Laundromat is clean and ready to welcome customers at all times
• Responsible for ironing and folding of clothes based on demand
• Maintains a clean working area by sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning of glass doors and windows et al.
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• Handles and move objects, such as waste baskets, clothe rack and hand dryer et al
• Handles special request like pick up and home delivery
• Handle any other duty as assigned by the manager

Children’s Play Ground Manager

• Responsible for managing children’s play ground
• Ensures that the children are safe and happy
• Makes recommendation for purchase of children’s toys and video games
• Mops the floors
• Wipes down the machines
• Cleans the soap dispensers in your front-load washers
• Washes off the folding tables
• Cleans the bathroom
• Empties the trash
• Washes the windows
• Cleans the vending machines, change machines and video game screens

Security Guards

• Ensures that the facility is secured at all time
• Controls traffic and organize parking
• Gives security tips to staff members from time to time
• Patrols around the building on a 24 hours basis
• Submits security reports weekly
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the restaurant manager

6. SWOT Analysis

No doubt starting a Laundromat is indeed capital intensive, especially for aspiring entrepreneurs who may not have huge sum of money saved up in a bank. We are aware that it will require loads of cash to set up a standard Laundromat business in Las Vegas, which is why we decided to do all that is required to build a profitable business

We don’t intend to invest our hard earned money in a business that we know we are not truly cut out for. One of the tools that is required to position us in building a successful Laundromat business is SWOT Analysis.

We hired the services of Mr. Coleman Carrington, an HR and Business consultant who is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, to help us conduct SWOT analysis and draft a laundromat marketing plan for our company and he did a pretty good job for us.

Here is a of the result we got from the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Las Vegas City Laundromat, Las Vegas, Nevada;

Las Vegas City Laundromat is centrally located in a densely populated area in Las Vegas; our location is in fact one of our major strengths. Aside from the basic service that we offer, we also offer complimentary services that most of our competitors do not offer.

Our Laundromat facility is located inside a very big facility. We have the latest washing machines, dryers and equipment and our attendants are well groomed to handle various classes of customers.

The weakness of Las Vegas City Laundromat could be the fact that it is a new business, which is owned by an individual (a small family), and we may not have the financial capacity to sustain the kind of publicity that can give us leverage.

• Opportunities:

We are centrally located in one of the busiest areas in Las Vegas and we are open to all the available opportunities that the city has to offer.

Our business concept has also positioned us to attract people who like doing their laundries and catching some fun at the same time. Las Vegas is one of the densely populated cities in the United States, and indeed the population translates to opportunities.

One of the major threats that confronts businesses all over the world is economic downturn; when the economy is bad it affects consumers spending which in turn impacts businesses negatively. Another threat that we are likely going to face to confront us is the emergence of a new Laundromat within the same location where Las Vegas City Laundromat is located.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The ability for business owners to continue to re – invent itself is key to the success of the business. In the laundry industry especially in the U.S., it is trendy to see laundry companies and Laundromats that add additional complementary services to their business offerings.

Once a Laundromat is conducive and relaxing, it sure attracts customers. This is the strategy that helps Laundromat attract customers. This is why Laundromats are now building kids’ fun centers, holding music concerts, karaoke, selling coffee, snacks, and tobacco and hiring attendants who are friendly and helpful.

As a matter of fact, loads of Laundromat owners now realize that they can increase business by providing a play area for children to play. It is encouraging for parents to bring their kids and get them hooked with fun in the playground under the care of a competent employee, whilst they do their laundries.

It is important to state that despite the fact that the trends mentioned above are favorable to Laundromat owners, this does not in any way suggest that the business is booming. The Laundromat industry is what experts describe as a “mature market.

“ Except for areas where that are highly populated; it is easier to find one or more laundry businesses/ Laundromats in same area in most cities in the U.S.

8. Our Target Market

Before choosing a location for our Laundromat business, we conducted our feasibility studies and market survey and we were able to identify those who will benefit greatly from our service offerings which is why we deiced to settle for Las Vegas.

Essentially, those who will benefit from our service offering are busy corporate executives, business owners, households, students and travelers / visitors. These are the category of people that we intend marketing our Laundromat business to;

• Busy Corporate Executives
• Business Owners
• Visitors / Travelers
• Sport clubs

Our Competitive Advantage

From our recently concluded feasibility studies and market survey, we observed that there are several laundry businesses scattered all over the city of Las Vegas, as a matter of fact, there are two or more laundry / Laundromats in same locations in some areas. This goes to show that there are stiffer competition in the industry.

Before launching our Laundromats, we have critically studied the market and we know that we have some form of competitive edge. Our competitive advantage is that we have a standard Laundromat facility that offers additional complementary services that will definitely help us attract and retain customers.

Las Vegas City Laundromat can boast of having state of the art Laundromat facility with latest and easy to use laundry machines (washing machines, dryers, industrial irons et al). We specifically, we leased a big facility, so as to enable us achieve our aim of building a well – equipped children’s playground, coffee and snacks café, cigar lounge amongst others.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Las Vegas City Laundromats will generate income from the following service offerings;

• Self – service laundry jobs
• Ironing, folding and packaging of clothes
• Sale of detergents, laundry bags and other useful laundry products
• Sale of Coffee
• Sales of Snacks
• Pickup and Home delivery
• Cigar Lounge

10. Sales Forecast

It is important to state that our sales forecast is based on the data gathered during our feasibility studies and also some of the assumptions readily available on the field with reference to similar business in Las Vegas.

We know that we are well positioned and we will definitely attract clients that will not only patronize our Laundromat but clients that will patronize our coffee care and snacks bar, and cigar lounge et al meaning that we will generate additional income from these sources.

Below is the sales projection for Las Vegas City Laundromat, it is based on the location of our Laundromat and the type of services and products that we will be offering;

• First Year-:  $80,000
• Second Year-: $120,000
• Third Year-: $180,000

N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any Laundromat offering same additional services like us within 4.5 miles radius from our Laundromat facility.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

The marketing strategy for Las Vegas City Laundromat is going to be driven basically by making available standard and safe Laundromat facility, excellent customer service and provision of complementary services. We will work hard to build a loyal customer base; customers that will always patronize us over and over again and as well help us use word of mouth publicity to get their friends and acquaintance to patronize us.

We want to drive sales via making available easy to use washing machines, dryers and industrial irons et al. We are quite aware of how satisfied customers drive business growth especially businesses like Laundromat which is why we will always ensure that our customer service and facility are top notch.

Over and above, our unique selling proposition is that we have various complementary service offerings such as coffee café, snacks bar, cigar lounge; children playground, ironing, folding and packaging, pickup and home delivery, and sale of detergents, laundry bags and other useful laundry products.

In view of that, we are going to adopt the following strategies to ensure that we do not only attract customers but ensure that they become loyal customer; Part of the marketing and sales strategies that we will adopt are;

• Open our Laundromat business with a party and free trial for all our visitors for the first three days of launching the business.
• Advertise our Laundromat business on national dailies, local TV stations and local radio station
• Promote our Laundromat business online via our official website and all available social media platforms
• Continuously Improving the performance of our brands
• Hire the services of experts to make our brands the first choice for in Las Vegas
• Delivering consistent customer experiences to all our guest; making our first impression count positively
• Make use of attractive handbills to create awareness and also to give direction to our Laundromat.
• Adopt direct mailing coupon marketing approach
• Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places
• Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our regular customers
• Engage on road shows within our neighborhood to create awareness for our Laundromat business.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We are aware of the power of publicity and advertisement for new businesses like ours which is why we created a budget that will help us access various publicity and advertising platforms that will enable us reach out to our potential market.

At Las Vegas City Laundromat, will ensure that we leverage on all conventional and non – conventional publicity and advertising technique to promote our Laundromat business. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Las Vegas City Laundromat;

• Encourage our loyal customers to help us use Word of Mouth mode of advertisement (referrals)
• Advertise our Laundromat business in relevant magazines (America Coin – Op, and Journal Coin Laundry News et al), local newspaper, local TV stations and local radio station.
• Promote our Laundromat business online via our official website
• List our Laundromat business on local directories (yellow pages)
• Sponsor relevant community programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations
• Direct coupon mailing approach
• Engage in road show from time to time
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas all around Las, Vegas.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

At Las Vegas City Laundromat, our pricing system is going to be based on what is obtainable in the industry, we don’t intend to charge more (except for premium and customized services) and we don’t intend to charge less than our competitors are offering in Las Vegas.

Be that as it may, the management of Las Vegas City Laundromat have put plans in place to offer discount services once in a while and also to reward our loyal customers especially when they refer clients to us. The prices of our products (snacks, cup of coffee, cigar, detergents et al) will be same as what is obtainable in any part of the United States of America.

• Payment Options

Basically, we have made provisions for our washing machines and dryers to accept coins , but that does not in any way restrict us from receiving payments from other options especially for our complimentary service offerings. In other words, our payment policy is going to be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that will be available in every of our pub;

• Payment by cash /coins
• Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
• Payment via online bank transfer (online payment portal)
• Payment via Mobile money

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our payment plans without any difficulty.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

This is the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital on;

• The Total Fee for Registering the Business in Las Vegas, Nevada – $750 .
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses (Health department license and business license) and permits (Fire department permit, Air and water pollution control permit, and Sign permit et al) – $4,500.
• Marketing promotion expenses (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580 .
• Cost for hiring Consultant – $2,000 .
• Insurance (general liability, theft, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $30,800 .
• Cost of accounting software, CRM software and Payroll Software – $3,000
• Cost for leasing facility for the Laundromat – $70,000 .
• Cost for facility remodeling – $50,000 .
• Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1000
• Phone and Utilities (gas, sewer, water and electric) deposits – ( $3,500 ).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $40,000
• The cost for Start-up inventory – $15,000
• Storage hardware (bins, utensil rack, shelves, glasses case) – $2,720
• The cost for Washer hook-up fees (sewer connection) – $800
• Cost for serving area equipment for coffee café and snacks bar ( glasses, flatware) – $5,000
• Cost for laundry machines and equipment (washing machines, dryers, industrial irons, ironing board et al ) – $100,000
• The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, video games, toys, vacuum cleaner, tables and chairs et al) – $30,000 .
• The cost of Launching a Website – $600
• The cost for our grand opening party – $5,500
• Miscellaneous supplies (cleaning supplies, soap, invoices for wash-and-fold, bathroom supplies, etc.) – $10,000

We would need an estimate of $1 million to successfully launch our Laundromat business in Las Vegas Nevada. Please note that the startup cost is higher than the average startup cost for a Laundromat business simply because we intend adding coffee café, snacks bar, cigar lounge and children’s playground.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Las Vegas City Laundromat

Las Vegas City Laundromat is a family business and it will be financed by the owner who is also the Laundromat manager. These are the areas where we intend sourcing for fund for Las Vegas City Laundromat;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from family members and friends (soft loans)
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Las Vegas City Laundromat is set to become the number Laundromat business in the whole of Nevada which is why we took our time to craft out business plan that will help us sustain the business , as well as grow the business. Part of the plans we have in place to sustain our Laundromat is that we will have efficient machines and equipment.

We will also continue to deliver quality services, improvise on how to do things faster and cheaper. We are not going to relent in providing conducive environment for our workers and also the required trainings that will help them deliver excellent services at all times.

We are quite aware that our customers are key component to the growth and survival of our business hence we are going to continuously engage them to give us ideas on how to serve them better. We will not waste time in diversifying our services; expand our products and service offerings once the need arises.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit licenses (Health department license and business license, Fire department permit, Air and water pollution control permit, and Sign permit et al): Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Acquiring facility and remodeling the facility: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• writing of business plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of laundry machines and equipment ( washing machines, dryers, industrial irons, ironing board et al ): In Progress
• Purchase of furniture and gadgets (Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, video games, toys, vacuum cleaner, tables and chairs et al): In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: Completed
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and in the neighborhood: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – suppliers of all our needed laundry accessories, drinks, and tobacco et al: In Progress

Related Posts:

• Dry Cleaning Home Delivery Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Interior Design Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Personal Grocery Shopper Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Special Needs Daycare Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Shoe Repair Business Plan [Sample Template]

• Business Ideas
• Registered Agents

How to Start a Laundry Wash and Fold Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Updated:   January 19, 2024

BusinessGuru.co is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

The Global laundry market hit a $1.4 billion milestone in 2021 . With an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4%, the market could hit $1.89 billion by 2030. As more people seek convenient services to simplify their busy lives, laundry service demand goes up.

There are more than 18,000 laundromats in the U.S. While overhead is high for a laundry business, ongoing expenses are low. A laundry business is a great option for an entrepreneur wanting to start a low-maintenance LLC.

In this guide, we’ll discuss how to start a laundry business, how to source equipment for your laundry services, register an EIN, marketing, and more.

1. Conduct Laundry Wash and Fold Market Research

To start a successful laundry service business, you must conduct market research. Market research tells you about the type of laundry services locals are looking for, equipment commonly used by laundry businesses, the laundry service market saturation, and more.

There are two types of market research, primary and secondary. Primary research is research you conduct yourself, while secondary is stats garnered from third-party resources. Market research helps you develop a realistic business model for your new business.

Some areas to research include:

Target Consumer

This segment appeals to dual-income homes, professionals, and elderly customers. Target customers for a neighborhood wash and fold laundry service include:

• Young professionals and dual-income households who dislike doing laundry themselves
• Elderly customers or those with disabilities who need assistance
• Local apartment dwellers and college students without laundry machines
• Environmentally-conscious customers who prefer professional cleaning

Best Places to Start a Laundry Service

Competitively priced wash and fold laundry services in a convenient location can attract customers from up to a 3-mile radius. Sites with high foot traffic and visibility have the greatest revenue potential.

Common Startup Costs

Startup costs for a small 1,200 sq ft laundromat average $150,000 to $200,000, including equipment, buildout, and working capital. Profit margins typically range from 30% to over 50% for successful operators.

2. Analyze the Competition

Thoroughly researching the competition is crucial when starting a laundry wash and fold business. This involves assessing both local brick-and-mortar rivals as well as evaluating your online presence compared to competitors. You may even run into competitors that offer dry cleaning services on top of the regular laundry wash and fold services so consider expanding your scope of services as well.

There are many ways to research the existing laundry business selection in your area, including:

Observing Market Saturation

Identify all laundromats and a wash and fold laundry service within a 3-mile radius. Visit each location to evaluate factors like pricing, operating hours, machine types, and any value-added services. Take note of customer volume and demographics when possible. Also, consider proximity to apartment complexes or other laundromats.

Checking Online Presence

Search for local laundry services on Google Maps and review sites like Yelp to evaluate online visibility and customer feedback. Check competitor websites and Google My Business listings for search engine optimization, reviews, and service details.

Ongoing competitive analysis lets you identify service gaps and potential partnerships like laundry delivery services. This data is key for positioning your wash and fold laundry business successfully amid both digital and brick-and-mortar competitors.

3. Costs to Start a Pressure Washing Business

Starting a small laundry wash and fold laundry business requires an initial investment in laundry equipment, leasehold improvements, and working capital. Let’s break down the costs you’ll encounter as you start a laundry business.

Start-up Costs

Total startup costs typically range from $150,000 to $200,000.

Here’s a look at individual costs as you start:

• Industrial washers and dryers ($50,000 to $75,000) for 10 to 20 washers and 5 to 10 dryers
• Water heater ($2,000)
• Folding tables ($1,000)
• Laundry carts ($500)
• Signage ($1,000)
• Point-of-sale system ($2,000)
• Laundry bags, hangers, and detergent ($5,000)

Altogether, plan for $80,000 to $100,000 in startup capital to cover the first 3 months of fixed costs like rent, payroll, insurance, and loan payments while establishing your customer base.

Ongoing Costs

Ongoing costs are any expenses you continue to encounter throughout the life of your business. Some ongoing costs you’ll meet are:

• Rent ($3,000/month) for a 1,200 sq ft location
• Loan repayment – ($2,000/month) for a $150k loan
• Utilities ($500 to $1,000) for water, gas, electric
• Payroll ($4,000) for 2 part-time employees
• Supplies ($1,000) for detergent, bags, hangers
• Insurance ($200/month)
• Advertising ($500 to $1,000/month
• Machine maintenance ($1,500) per machine
• POS system fees ($600)
• Permit/license renewal ($300)

With solid planning and financial management, a neighborhood wash and fold laundry business can generate over $200,000 in annual revenue, with 30 to 50% profit margins.

4. Form a Legal Business Entity

The legal structure you choose for your laundry business impacts taxes, liability, and ease of expansion. Weighing the pros and cons of each for your specific business is key.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is the simplest structure, You operate as an individual with pass-through income and unlimited liability. This exposes your assets in lawsuits. Annual registration fees are under $100 in most states. While this offers simplicity for one-person operations, the lack of protection makes other structures better for growth.

Partnership

Forming a general partnership splits ownership between two or more people. You still get pass-through taxation, but each partner is jointly liable for debts and lawsuits. Disagreements can also jeopardize operations. This works for spouses or very small partnerships.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company (LLC) combines pass-through taxation with liability protection. Profits pass through to members’ returns, avoiding corporate taxes. The LLC shields your assets if sued, preventing court judgments against you. Startup and maintenance is affordable, around $500 per year.

Corporation

Establishing a corporation creates a separate legal entity from the owners. This provides the greatest protection from liability but also more recordkeeping and formalities. Corporations file articles of incorporation, hold board meetings, issue stock, and file separate tax returns. Most small businesses don’t need this complex structure.

5. Register Your Business For Taxes

Forming a laundry business requires an Employer Identification Number, or EIN, from the IRS. This unique number identifies your business for tax purposes and is required to open business bank accounts, apply for licenses, and hire employees.

Unlike your social security number, an EIN keeps your personal and business taxes separate. EINs are free to obtain directly from the IRS website. Here is the step-by-step application process:

• First, navigate to IRS and select the “Apply Online Now” button to begin. You’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one.
• Next, choose your LLC as the business structure applying. Have your member names, LLC operating agreement, and mailing address ready.
• Answer the questions about your LLC’s activity and ownership. On the Responsible Party section, enter your name and SSN as the member managing day-to-day operations.
• Review all entries to ensure accuracy before submitting. Once received, the EIN will display on-screen. Print and save this assignment notice for your records.

You’ll also need to register with your state revenue department for sales tax obligations. Search “[State Name] sales tax registration” to find the right agency. Here you’ll obtain a state seller’s permit, business license, or sales tax ID as required in your state, typically for a small fee.

6. Setup Your Accounting

Proper accounting practices are crucial when starting your own laundry business. Accounting helps track finances, manage taxes, and prevent costly IRS issues down the road. Investing in bookkeeping software and an accountant from the start provides long-term peace of mind.

Accounting Software

Using bookkeeping software like QuickBooks is essential when you start your own laundry service business. It lets you categorize income and expenses, generate financial statements, and automate reconciliation through bank integration. This eliminates manual entry and ensures you capture every transaction. Expect to pay $20 to 50 per month for a QuickBooks subscription.

Hire an Accountant

Pairing software with an accountant who understands the laundry industry is ideal. A qualified accountant provides services like:

• Monthly bookkeeping to classify transactions
• Quarterly reconciliations to catch any errors
• Sales tax preparation to file returns
• Financial analysis to spot issues
• Year-end tax preparation to maximize deductions

Expect to invest around $200 to $400 per month for bookkeeping services and $500 to $1,000 for annual tax prep. This expert guidance prevents major issues and provides peace of mind.

Open a Business Bank Account

Keeping laundry business finances completely separate from personal accounts is also critical for accurate accounting and transparency. Open a dedicated business checking account using your EIN to keep funds separate.

Get a Business Credit Card

Get a business credit card as well to simplify tracking business purchases. Business cards use your EIN and business info to determine credit limits. They keep expenses organized and build your commercial credit profile.

7. Obtain Licenses and Permits

Before opening your laundry business, it’s crucial to obtain all required federal, state, and local licenses and permits. Learn about federal license requirements through the U.S. Small Business Administration .

Some states require specific permits and licenses relevant to the laundry industry. Common statewide permits include a sales tax permit, business license, and resale certificate. These authorize you to collect, report, and remit sales tax and legitimize your business. Search for local permits with the SBA local search tool .

Another key permit is your state environmental permit. Wastewater from commercial laundry facilities is classified as industrial discharge. Submit your commercial laundry equipment specs, chemical inventory, and plumbing layout to obtain an industrial wastewater permit before opening. This verifies you meet all requirements for handling laundry discharge.

You may also need special license types depending on your location. For example, some states require laundromats to obtain a coin-operated device license for self-service payment kiosks. Contact your Secretary of State or licensing department to ask about any niche permits required locally.

8. Get Business Insurance

Operating a laundry business without proper business insurance leaves your company vulnerable to major financial losses from unforeseen events. The right insurance policies greatly limit risks by providing coverage when issues arise.

For example, imagine a dryer malfunctions and causes a fire that destroys your facility. Or a customer slips and injures themselves on a wet floor. In both cases, lacking insurance could lead to six-figure losses.

The solution is investing in tailored policies like general liability, property insurance, and workers’ compensation to transfer risk. Expect to budget approximately 2% to 4% of revenue towards premiums.

The typical process involves:

• Researching top providers like Hiscox and Progressive that offer customized business policies.
• Get quotes by sharing your business details and coverage needs.
• Comparing premium costs, exclusions, deductibles, and limits to select the best value.
• Completing applications and providing any supplementary info required by underwriters.
• Securing coverage and paying premiums to activate policies before opening your doors.

Having the proper business insurance provides financial security and lets you focus on daily operations rather than stressing over potential disasters. Protect your livelihood and hard work by insuring your risks.

9. Create an Office Space

Having a dedicated office space can optimize day-to-day laundry operations through onsite ownership, storage, and employee oversight. The right office setup improves organization and provides a professional base for the business.

Home Office

A home office works well initially as a low-cost setup for administrative tasks like bookkeeping, website management, and communications. Expect costs of $100 to $500 to furnish a spare bedroom or basement with a desk, computer, phone, and supplies.

Coworking Office

Coworking spaces like WeWork offer convenient shared offices, conference rooms, and amenities. Typical costs range from $200 to $500 monthly for an open desk or small private office. This flexible, scalable option suits laundry businesses seeking professional meeting space.

Retail Office

For established operations, consider retail office space attached to your laundromat. This allows onsite ownership presence, secure laundry equipment storage, and better employee oversight. Costs vary based on square footage; budget $800 to $1,500 monthly for a 500 sq ft office.

Commercial Office

Leasing commercial office space independently from your wash-and-fold site also provides room for expansion. Expect monthly rents of $1,000 to $2,000 for private office suites from 400-1,000 sq ft. This space can house operations staff, meetings, supply storage, and more to meet broader business needs.

10. Source Your Equipment

Launching a laundry business requires significant upfront equipment purchases. From high-quality washers and dryers to point-of-sale systems, finding the right materials at the best prices is key. Here are some ways to source laundry business equipment.

Buying new commercial-grade equipment from manufacturers ensures optimal performance and warranties. Major brands like Speed Queen , UniMac , and Dexter offer package deals on essentials like washers, dryers, folding tables, carts, and change machines. Complete outfitting averages $75,000 to $100,000.

Purchasing quality used equipment can significantly reduce startup costs. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist often list nearby laundromats selling machines and small wares worth tens of thousands for a fraction of the original cost. Expect 50 to 75% discounts on buying second-hand. Just budget for potential repairs.

Renting equipment through programs from vendors like Dexter Laundry avoids major upfront purchases. However, monthly costs of $1,500 per machine make this option more expensive long-term. This can work well for seasonal pop-up laundromats.

Leasing equipment is another alternative to large lump-sum buys. Providers like Continental Girbau offer 2 to 5-year leases on laundromat essentials for affordable monthly fees. Just ensure the contract covers maintenance and transfers ownership after the final payment.

11. Establish Your Brand Assets

Developing a strong brand identity helps laundry businesses stand out, build recognition, and connect with customers. Investing in core brand assets lends credibility and professionalism from day one.

Get a Business Phone Number

Start by securing a dedicated business phone line using a provider like RingCentral . Choose a memorable custom number and set up voicemail greetings to make a professional first impression when customers call your laundry business. Expect costs starting around $30/month.

Design a Logo

Create a logo that represents your brand. Options like Looka provide affordable logo-making tools to craft a design in minutes. Choose simple iconography and an easy-to-read font in your brand colors. Repeating this logo across assets boosts memorability. Expect to invest $50-$200 for a quality custom logo.

Print Business Cards

With your logo complete, order business cards and signage from Vistaprint . Include essential contact info like phone, address, and website. Business cards enable quick sharing when networking and a yard sign or exterior banner advertises your location.

Get a Domain Name

Buying a descriptive domain name is also key. Use name generators on sites like Namecheap and aim for a (dot) com address with your city or service in the name. Invest in domain privacy to protect your info. Expect first-year registration under $20.

Design a Website

Building a one-page website on Wix or hiring a freelancer on Fiverr provides online visibility. Showcase your brand, services, location, and contact forms to drive traffic. Expect costs from $100 to $500 to launch a professional site.

12. Join Associations and Groups

Joining local and national associations provides invaluable connections for laundry business owners. These organizations offer insider knowledge, resources, and networking opportunities to help your laundry business thrive.

Local Associations

For local groups, search for laundry or small business associations in your city or state. Organizations like the California Cleaners Association provide workshops, advocacy, and referrals. Membership fees are usually under $500 annually. Attending association events lets you meet fellow local laundry pros and exchange insights.

National Associations

National associations like the Coin Laundry Association offer benefits on a larger scale. You’ll gain access to discounts on equipment, financing, insurance, and more through group purchasing power. Membership starts around $150 per year. Virtual and in-person national events enable networking beyond just local businesses.

Local Meetups

Another great way to connect locally is by attending small business meetups. Sites like Meetup list free events for entrepreneurs to share tips and advice. Look for small business mixers or laundry-specific groups.

Facebook Groups

Facebook provides invaluable forums to engage with the laundry community. Groups like the Coin Laundry Association Member Group boast over 3,000 members. Post questions and browse conversations for real-world advice from laundry businesses across the country.

Surrounding yourself with knowledgeable laundromat professionals provides mentorship and elevates your capabilities as an owner. Take advantage of associations, meetups, and online groups to build your network.

13. How to Market Laundry Services

Implementing an effective marketing strategy is crucial for laundry wash and fold businesses. Attract new customers and drive growth with a mix of digital and traditional tactics.

Use Your Network

Start by leveraging your network and existing customers. Offering discounts or rewards for referrals incentivizes happy patrons to endorse your laundry services. Something as simple as a $5 off coupon code or a free laundry bag for sharing on social media helps facilitate word-of-mouth marketing.

Digital Marketing

Digital marketing reaches a broad range of potential customers. It tells locals who you are, what you do, and where to find you. For digital tactics, consider:

• Search engine ads to rank highly for local “laundry near me” searches
• Facebook and Instagram ads targeting area demographics
• YouTube videos showcasing your facility and services
• Blogging about laundry care tips and your offerings
• Social media content highlighting customer service
• Email drip campaigns with special offers to website subscribers
• Online directories like Google My Business, Yelp, and Angie’s List
• Positive review requests sent via email to build credibility

Digital marketing can be used in tandem with traditional marketing through QR codes and social media handles. Also consider modifying your marketing campaigns if you offer additional services as part of your business (e.g. carpet cleaning ) for specific customer base targeting.

Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing of a laundry business is important. This is a hands-on business and traditional marketing is tangible. Traditional approaches like:

• Direct mail flyers or coupons to local households
• Newspaper ads promoting new customer discounts
• Sponsoring a local Little League team or event
• Yard signs and banners outside your wash-and-fold
• Community bulletin board postings at nearby colleges
• Radio ads on local stations describing services

Launch your laundry service business with a local event, like a grand opening. Meet and greet locals, serve snacks, and earn some new customers.

14. Focus on the Customer

Providing exceptional customer service is crucial for laundry services. Customer focus earns loyalty, referrals, and repeat business over the long term. Going above and beyond to meet customer needs separates you from competitors.

Some ways to improve customer focus include:

• Offer perks like a free laundromat loyalty card with discounts, or same-day delivery and pickup options for extra convenience.
• Be personal: Train staff to greet every customer by name and keep them updated on order status.
• Be fast: Ensure fast turnaround times and meticulous folding.
• Follow up: Follow up after big orders thanking patrons for their business.
• Ensure satisfaction: Offer an unconditional satisfaction guarantee and immediately correct any issues.
• Offer new services: Poll customers to find out what new services they’d like to see. For example, pickup and delivery services.
• Be diligent: Monitoring online reviews and responding promptly also demonstrates you value feedback.

When customers feel genuinely appreciated, they become powerful allies. Word-of-mouth referrals from happy patrons are a wash and fold’s most valuable marketing channel.

You Might Also Like

April 9, 2024

0  comments

How to Start a Dog Clothing Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Have you ever considered turning your love for canine couture into a thriving business? ...

How to Start a Vintage Clothing Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

The vintage apparel and second hand clothing industry reached an evaluation of $152.5 billion ...

How to Start a Bamboo Clothing Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

The global bamboo fiber market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth ...

How to Start a Garage Cleaning Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Starting a garage cleaning business could be the perfect solution! The U.S. garage and ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Out Our Latest Articles

Session expired

Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

Table of contents

How to start a laundry business.

Have questions on formation, banking and taxes?

Schedule a FREE consultation with a formation and compliance expert today 📞

Your friends lament their lost time folding laundry and moan about that impending clothing pile in the corner of their bedroom. But all the while, you can’t contribute anything to their woeful distress. You love laundry. The smell of the cottony detergent, the feeling of pressing clean sheets, and the satisfaction of folding shirts to perfectly fit a drawer could have you spending hours folding and putting away crisp and clean clothing.

Why Start a Laundry Business ?

If you haven’t already, it might be time to consider starting up a laundry business, because chances are, there are dozens more just like your friends right in your area, all willing to pay for done-for-you laundry services.

15 Steps to Starting a Laundry Business

1. write a business plan.

Before we get into the details of pricing, business structure, and target market, let’s make a plan, a business plan. Business plans aren’t like that one-size-fits-all jacket you love folding; instead, it’s catered to a specific business owner and type. Consider finding a business plan template online, or start outlining the basics like a financial plan, target market, and 6-month and 1-year goals.

2. Establish Your Target Market

Think back to where you hear about those folding despairs the most. If from your friends, what type of market are they? Do they have kids, live as working moms, or are they traveling professionals who want the laundry to be the last thing they ever think about? Establishing your target market from the top will fuel your marketing strategy, financial strategy, and business plan.

3. Create Services to Offer

There are loads of laundry services you can offer, no pun intended. Consider whether you want to open a traditional laundromat, fluff-and-fold delivery service, or laundromat cafe. To make your decision, you’ll need to think about the resources you have, the money you can invest, and the work you’d love to be doing a year from now.

4. Project Costs and Secure Funding

Your services could dictate your costs or your costs could dictate your services. Consider whether you want to open a storefront with self-serve options for your downtown dwellers or a streamlined delivery service where customers can leave out their laundry and leave the rest to you. If you go the approach of a storefront, you can secure startup costs through small business bank loans (particularly if you can get a business bank account), Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, or even crowdfunding operations.

5. Find a Suitable Location

Location is important whether you’re opening a shop or delivering your services. Laundromats should be accessible enough for customers to tackle multiple errands in a row or swing by before and after work with ease. But even if you’re taking on a laundry delivery service, think about a dedicated space you can wash, dry, and fold laundry.

6. Pricing Structure

Here are some common pricing structures you can base your laundry service:

Laundromat — Price per pound, machine, or item, depending on your machines and business operations. For example, you could price at $2 per pound, $3 per machine, or $15 for a comforter. For reference, check out this laundromat in Southern California pricing breakdown.

Delivery — Price per pound or item, accounting for additional delivery costs. For example, price $2 per pound with a minimum weight of 30 pounds, with a separate charge of $15 per comforter, so your price for gas there and back is worth it.

7. Create a Marketing Strategy and Advertise and Market Your Business

When you’re just starting your business, utilize free marketing strategies, and when you start building a business, invest in some more far-reaching marketing efforts.

Free Marketing Idea — Create an Instagram and TikTok account capturing everything from your process of getting out a tough stain, to your daily delivery route, to how you fold and pack pants for your fluff and fold services.

Local Marketing Idea — Partner with a shop nearby to offer a coupon for everyone who comes in while their laundry is being washed in exchange for marketing in their shop. It’s a win-win. The customer can get discounted products, the store can get more customers, and you’re able to get more brand awareness.

Paid Marketing Idea — Create a website and invest in pay-per-click advertising and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) through regular blog posts.

8. Name of Business

Naming your laundry business should check off two boxes:

• It speaks to your target market in your area — Whether that’s people who want a luxurious laundry experience, value fast service, or want it to feel like they have a personal assistant just for them.
• It’s clear — Make your store’s name reflect what you’re offering. Pearly Clothes is a fine name, but it could apply to a laundromat, a boutique, or a thrift store. Pearly Fluff and Fold paints a clearer picture as a laundry service and is uniquely branded to a luxury-loving target market. 

9. Choose Your Business Structure

Sole proprietorship and general partnership.

Unincorporated; they each don’t require paperwork or forming but also don’t protect your personal assets against legal issues that might come against your business. A sole prop is for a single owner, and a general partnership is for more than 1 business owner.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Incorporated; requires paperwork and filing but gives you an Employer Identification Number (EIN) that allows you to open a business bank account. It also protects your personal liabilities, creating a formal business structure to protect you from any liabilities. A common business structure for independent business owners like laundry businesses.

Limited Partnership

Two or more entrepreneurs go into business together but are only held liable for the amount of money they invested in their business.

Corporation

Incorporated; an S Corporation has fewer than 100 shareholders and a C Corporation, which is for larger organizations and is owned by stockholders. You probably won’t be filing as a C-corp, but might file your LLC as an S-corp in the future if that’s ever needed.

10. Register Your Business

After choosing your business, head over to your state’s Secretary of State Office website to register your business. The sooner your register the better, as you can write off business expenses from the laundry machines to the gas it takes you to travel for delivery services, to soaps, scrubs, and washes. 

11. Acquire Licenses and Permits

There aren’t many licenses you will need to have a laundry business. If you have a storefront, you may need permits like a health permit, water safety permit, and signage stating that mandatory inspections have been competing. Head over to the SBA’s license and permits page to see your requirements.

12. Open a Business Bank Account

Separate your personal spending from your business spending with a business bank account. It’ll help you distinguish your business costs and will make tax filing easier. (doola has a fee-free global Visa business account just for you.)

13. Purchase Supplies and Equipment

Whether you’re doing a laundry pickup service or starting a laundromat business, consider the basic costs of laundry equipment first:

• Washing machine
• Drying machine
• Soaps, detergents, solvents, and stain removers
• Hamper or laundry caddy
• Folding space or table
• Ironing space or table
• Storage racks
• Car (if traveling)

If you’re opening a storefront, understand that you’ll need to multiply your costs to fill it with several laundry machines to maintain several customers.

14. Get Business Insurance

Even if your business is established, it’s still important to get insurance to cover your business in case anyone were to try to sue. Browse through quotes from sites like Insuranks that have special insurance just for your business entity.

15. Hire Employees

When it’s time to scale, don’t feel like you have to be the only one doing the dirty work. Hire employees with experience in laundry and budget their salaries by revising your business plan as needed.

Fluff and Fold with doola in Your Pocket

Every small business needs someone in their corner to help them through every big step. We’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of small business owners from laundry lovers to tenacious techies who know the importance of starting right. Run your business as smoothly as linen bed sheets with doola’s bookkeeping services .

How much does it cost to start a laundry business?

You could start a laundry service with just a few hundred dollars with a working car, laundry machines, detergents, soaps, and some time on your hands!

Is owning a laundry business profitable?

You can profit from a laundry business, as long as you establish a clear business plan, hire out when you need, and maintain a price range in your target market’s budget.

How much is laundry service?

Laundry services range from about $15-$20 per service, depending on your area.

Who are the competitors for a laundry business?

Convenient laundry delivery services, cheap laundromats, and sleek new laundry machines can all be competitors of your laundry business, but at the end of the day, there will likely always be a market for what you’re servicing.

Free e-book

How to form a US LLC in 5 minutes

A beginner-friendly guide on the basics of LLCs. Learn about formation, banking, and taxes.

Schedule a FREE consultation with a US CPA today 📞

Keep reading

Start your dream business and keep it 100% compliant

Turn your dream idea into your dream business.

A beginner-friendly guide on the basics of LLCs. Learn about formation, banking, and taxes. Get ready to turn your dream idea into your dream US business.

Cookie consent

By continuing to browse this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Learn more.

Home  >   Blog  >   How to Grow a Laundry Business [Tips, Tricks + Examples]

How to Grow a Laundry Business [Tips, Tricks + Examples]

Discover how to grow your laundry business with tips like on-demand services, route optimization, and local marketing for higher customer satisfaction.

Table Of Contents

Laundry services are a huge industry. The global dry-cleaning and laundry services market was valued at $67.2 billion in 2022 . By 2030, it's expected to grow to $103.5 billion, which means it's growing at an average rate of 5.5% each year from 2022 to 2030.

A small dry-cleaning shop can earn about $30,000 a year after paying all expenses. A self-service laundromat can bring in cash flow between $15,000 and $300,000 annually.

Clearly, the laundry business is profitable. No matter what type of laundry business you run, there are plenty of ways to expand your business.

Try these four laundry business ideas to get more customers and boost your earnings.

In this post:

1. Add More Services

2. try route optimization software, 3. use local marketing to promote your laundry business, 4. check out your competition, expand your laundry business with elogii.

Offering more services can bring in more customers.

Provide Wash-and-Fold Services

Many people dislike doing laundry and putting it away , and some don’t even have easy access to washers and dryers.

Offering a wash-and-fold service can help with both these issues. Customers can drop off their dirty clothes, and you'll return them washed, dried, and folded. This luxury service can attract a new type of customer, helping both laundromats and dry cleaners looking to bring in new and returning customers.

Customers who use laundromats are typically from lower-income households. Those who opt for wash-and-fold services generally have more disposable income.

For example, a laundry service that includes wash-and-fold options can have a wide variety of customers. The clientele could include single working men, college students, tourists, hotel guests, vendors, restaurants, small businesses, and working couples without children who have disposable income.

Dry cleaners can also benefit from offering wash-and-fold services. With the demand for dry cleaning going down as people use laundromats, home washing machines, and other alternatives, adding more services can help attract new customers. You can also offer ironing along with dry cleaning to expand your offerings.

Providing laundry delivery could boost your business even more because delivery has become popular in many industries. Most delivery customers live within five miles of the store, but adding delivery has expanded the customer base to a 12-mile radius.

Go with On-Demand Laundry Services

Elevate laundry delivery with on-demand convenience.

Often known as the “Uber for laundry,” on-demand laundry lets customers easily get their laundry done whenever they want. Similar to ordering a ride, you can schedule laundry pickup through an app or website and pick the services you need. Then, your clean clothes get delivered right to your doorstep when they’re done.

It’s a profitable option, with on-demand laundry services expected to reach about USD 563.05 billion by 2032.

Rinse is a rapidly expanding brand in the laundry delivery industry. Despite challenges in the consumer on-demand market, it has consistently grown its margins. Besides on-demand service, Rinse offers smart scheduling, providing weekly laundry pickup and delivery to customers.

If you start with any of these laundry business ideas, like on-demand or smart-scheduling laundry services, you’ll want to use route optimization software. This kind of software can help you save time, work more efficiently, and make customers happier, all of which will boost your profits.

Here’s how eLogii can help your laundry business:

Forget about manual planning! Just upload a list of delivery and pickup addresses in an Excel file, and eLogii’s software will find the best routes and evenly split the work between your drivers.

Efficient routes mean less money spent on gas and mileage. Plus, by making the most of your routes, you’ll cut down on labor costs and get more out of your team.

Date-range Tasks

eLogii allows you to schedule tasks within a specific date range . This means the system will assign each task to the best day based on constraints like schedules, capacities, and time windows, while also considering current and historical traffic data.

Set Task Priority

When setting up a task, you can mark its importance in the Advanced section of the form. eLogii will use this priority level to adjust and create routes. If you set the priority to high, the system will make sure this task is given top importance compared to others.

Keep Your Customers Updated with Live Tracking

Send text or email updates to let them know when their laundry is on its way. Updates even include a link for live tracking .

Get Delivery Proof With The eLogii Driver App

Your drivers can collect signatures, snap photos, and jot down delivery notes, giving you all the details you need to answer customer questions about their orders.

Make the Most of Your Google Business Profile

Improve your local search visibility with your free Google Business Profile. It helps potential customers find, learn about, and contact your laundry business quickly.

Your Google Business Profile should include your website, business hours, phone number, photos, customer reviews, and answered questions. A detailed profile can boost engagement, improve your Google ranking, and attract more customers. In fact, 88% of people who search for local businesses on their smartphones visit or call within 24 hours.

Check out this guide to get the most out of your Google Business Profile .

Boost Your Social Media Presence

Many consumers find local businesses through social media , so make sure your laundry business is easy to find by setting up and staying active on the right platforms.

You don’t need to be on every social network—just focus on the ones that matter most for your business. For instance, being active on Yelp is important to respond to customer reviews and questions, but you probably don’t need a TikTok account to reach local customers. Yelp ads are also effective since 82% of users visit with the intent to purchase, and 89% of them make a purchase within a week.

Invest in Local Digital Ads

Yelp and Google are great places to advertise your laundry business because they target people actively looking for your services.

Google’s Local Services ads show up when someone searches for terms like “Seattle laundry service” in your area. Plus, you only pay if someone contacts you through the ad.

Show Off Your Happy Customer Reviews

One great way to attract more customers is to share positive reviews from satisfied clients.

Most people check online reviews before choosing a local business. Highlighting glowing endorsements from your customers is a powerful way to attract new business. Namely, 75.5% of people trust in online reviews when deciding what to purchase.

There are several ways to encourage more reviews , like offering incentives and timing your requests perfectly during the customer experience. Once you gather the valuable user-generated content , make it is easy to find. Display them on your website, share them on social media, and use them wherever you can.

If you can offer a better experience, you can charge more for your luxury laundry services. Start by exploring what your local competitors are doing and find ways to improve your own business. Trying out their services can help you find the best pricing for your services.

Sampling other laundry services can also inspire you with new ideas to enhance your own laundry business.

As we've discussed, wash-and-fold delivery and on-demand laundry services are what customers expect from a modern laundry business. Give them what they want, and let eLogii help you provide top-notch service.

Our route optimization software makes it easy to add pickup and delivery to your business model. It helps you save hours of planning and money, providing a better delivery experience for your customers. This leads to happy repeat customers and great reviews.

Similar posts

How to optimize a laundry delivery service in 2024.

Discover how to succeed in the laundry delivery business with tips on customer experience, competitive pricing, and local marketing strategies.

How to Optimize a Carpet Cleaning Business in 2024

Learn how to start and grow your carpet cleaning business with a solid plan, essential tools, marketing strategies, and eLogii for efficiency.

Transportation Dispatching: How to Manage Drivers Like a Pro

Manage drivers like a pro with expert tips on transportation dispatching. Learn how to plan routes, balance workloads, and boost efficiency...

The leading Route Optimization resource

Be the first to know when new articles are released. eLogii has a market-leading blog and resources centre designed specifically to help business across countless distribution and field-services sub sectors worldwide to succeed with actionable content and tips.

• Purchase History

Laundry Business Plan Template

Trusted by 500+ Downloaders

What You Get

• A compelling & detailed pre-written Laundry business plan template in WORD
• A full & automatic Laundry financial plan model in EXCEL you can easily customize
• Customized text tailored to the Laundry business
• The ability to paste advanced charts and tables within a click
• No accounting or specialized financial knowledge needed
• A truly cost-effective solution saving you time and money

Laundry Business Plan Template Description

Our ready-made Laundry business plan package is all you need to build an investor-grade laundry business plan fast and easy. It comes with a pre-written business plan document in Word and an automatic financial plan in Excel tailored to the laundry service business. All you need to do is customize these documents to perfectly make them fit your own laundry project. For more information regarding the content, check out the full description below.

Laundry Business Plan Document in Word

Our ready-made Laundry business plan template is in Word format and includes 24 pages. The document is divided into multiple sections. Each section contains the essential points that are necessary to effectively present your Laundry project. Each section and sub-section offer you a sample text that you can easily customize to make your business plan unique. Below is a small excerpt of your pre-written Laundry business plan document in Word.

Automatic Laundry Financial Model in Excel

Our pre-populated financial model is in Excel format and includes multiples worksheets. You can easily edit the model’s inputs including changing costs and revenue assumptions to generate pro-forma financial forecasts including P&L, Cash flows and Balance Sheets. Below is a small extract from your automatic laundry financial plan in Excel.

The Benefits of Building a Business Plan for your Laundry Project

Building a business plan for your laundry project can bring a variety of benefits, including:

• Securing funding: A laundry business plan can help you secure funding from investors or lenders by outlining your vision for the business, the market opportunity, and your financial projections.
• Identifying and mitigating risks: It can help you identify potential risks and opportunities associated with your laundry project, and develop strategies to mitigate those risks and capitalize on those opportunities.
• Establishing clear goals and objectives: A business plan can help you establish clear goals and objectives for your laundry venture and create a roadmap for achieving them.
• Improving decision-making: By providing a framework for decision-making, a laundry business plan can help you make informed choices about how to allocate resources and manage the business effectively.
• Communicating effectively with stakeholders: A laundry business plan allows you to communicate your vision and strategy to stakeholders, such as employees, investors, and customers, and align everyone’s efforts towards the same goals.
• Benchmarking and tracking progress: Do you wish to track your progress against your goals? A laundry business plan can help you do that. It allows you also to make adjustments as necessary to stay on track.

Overall, a business plan can provide a comprehensive view of your laundry project, including both short-term and long-term goals, and can help you make better decisions, secure funding, and track progress over time. It’s a valuable tool for any aspiring laundry owner.

This Ready-Made Laundry Business Plan is For

• Entrepreneurs wishing to start a Laundry business
• Aspiring laundry store owners who want to create a business plan fast and easy
• Entrepreneurs who wish to pitch their project to investors
• Laundry professionals who wish to better understand the potential of the opportunity

Immediate Delivery by Email

• Once you complete the order, you will receive an email with links to download your documents
• Your order will contain the full pre-written business plan in Word
• Your order will contain the full customizable financial model in Excel

Your Laundry Business Plan Content

Executive Summary:  Our Laundry business plan template starts with a compelling Executive Summary. This key section is very important as it summarizes in 1 page your Laundry concept. It will introduce your business model, the key people behind the project as well as the unique selling proposition offered by your Laundry service. This section will also mention how market conditions and consumer trends are favorable for launching your project.

The Problem Opportunity:  Next, your ready-made Laundry business plan will list a number of problems experienced by your prospects in your target market and will show how this presents a unique opportunity for your Laundry. These can include issues such as the lack of laundries in a certain location, undifferentiated offering by current actors in the market…etc.

The Solution:  This section explains how your Laundry business will take advantage of the current problems in the market and will detail your innovative solutions.

Mission & Vision:  Your mission will explain in a couple of sentences your Laundry service’s business ethos. In other words, it will summarize your unique value proposition and will explain how you are different than the competition. Your vision will explain the long-term plans for your Laundry concept. Are you planning to start with one branch today and expand to a multi-branch business model? Are you looking to transform your Laundry business into a franchise model?…etc.

Business Model:  This section details your Laundry concept using the business model canvas method. In a visually appealing table, we will detail your Laundry business’ key partners, activities, resources, value proposition, customer segments, customer relationship plan, marketing channels, cost structure and revenue streams.

Products & Services:  Next, we will talk in detail about your various products and services. We will describe your various types of washing, dry cleaning and pressing services…etc. We will also provide information about your pricing and average order values.

Market Analysis:  This important section describes the various market statistics and consumer trends in the laundry service industry and explains how they support your own concept. The purpose of this section is to show that the market conditions are favorable for launching your new Laundry.

Global Market Trends:  In this sub-section of the market analysis, we will discuss the latest general market trends in the laundry service industry. We will look at the global industry size, growth rate, growth diving factors and consumer trends.

Local Market Trends:  This sub-section explains the local market trends that are relevant to your specific Laundry business in your own area of operation.

Target Customers:  In this section, we will describe your various customer profiles by providing information about their demographics, behavior and purchasing habits.

Competitive Analysis:  We will analyze key competitors active in your target market and provide insights about their strengths and weaknesses.

Competitive Advantages:  After looking at the competitive landscape, we will then show how your Laundry business is differentiating itself from the competition through a number of key advantages.

SWOT Analysis:  This section features a 4-quadrant table with explanations about how your Laundry intends to leverage its key strengths, mitigate weaknesses, capture opportunities and thwart any future threats.

Marketing Plan : This chapter provides detailed information about your go-to-market strategy. It includes a detailed action plan to help you build brand awareness and generate sales.

Branding & Awareness:  We will describe in this sub-section your choice of key marketing channels to build branding and awareness.

Customer Acquisition:  We will describe in this sub-section your choice of key marketing channels to acquire customers and increase sales.

Operating Plan:  This chapter provides information about your Laundry’s opening hours, internal processes and describes the interactions between various key departments and teams.

Management Team:  It is very important to present the key people behind your Laundry project and thus we have dedicated a section for this very purpose. It is also important to talk here about the founder’s vision, his past education and professional experience.

Hiring Plan:  No business can succeed without having on board the right team. This section lists all the key positions you plan to hire with information about their salaries and expected start dates.

Key Milestones:  To be able to launch and execute your Laundry project, you need to follow a set of actionable tasks with target deadlines. This section serves this purpose.

Financial Plan:  Without a robust financial plan, your Laundry business plan would be an incomplete document. This important section provides crucial information about your pro-forma financial projections and shows that you have really done your homework. The data mentioned in this and the following sections will be provided by the dynamic Excel financial model accompanying your Laundry business plan.

Projected Revenue:  This module shows your Laundry business’ revenue projections over the next three years.

Projected Profit and Loss:  This module shows your Laundry service’s income statement (also called profit and loss statement) over the next three years. Your income statement includes detailed projections about your sales and expenses and shows how your Laundry’s revenue is converted into a net profit.

Projected Cash Flows:  This module shows your Laundry business’ cash flow projections over the next three years. The first year of operation is even detailed on a monthly basis. Your cash flow statement will detail the various cash inflows your Laundry will generate from its day to day operations and from funding sources, as well as the various cash outflows required to pay for operating expenses and business investments.

Projected Balance Sheet : This module shows your Laundry’s balance sheet projections over the next three years. The balance sheet will provide a summary of your Laundry’s short term and long term assets in addition to your short term and long term liabilities and capital.

Profitability Analysis:  In this section, we will provide information about your gross margin, net margin and discuss the profitability of your Laundry business.

Funding Requirement:  This module states the amount of funding your need to be able to comfortably launch your Laundry business. It also describes the planned allocation of the funds between Opex and Capex.

Conclusion : Finally, we will conclude your business plan by recapitulating the key points that make your Laundry project compelling and reiterate the rationale behind your business opportunity.

Why Use our Ready-Made Laundry Business Plan?

• Speed & Convenience:  Once you complete your order, you will receive the Laundry business plan directly in your mailbox. Since it is already pre-written with fully customizable financials, you will only need to spend a couple of hours to edit it and adapt it to your own Laundry project.
• High Quality:  Your Laundry business plan has been written by our professional team of business plan writers and experts from the laundry service industry. You will receive a professional Laundry business plan template ideal for presenting to potential investors or banks.
• Low-Cost:  Our pre-written Laundry business plan template is the most cost-effective solution in case you need to build a solid and professional Laundry business plan. We are confident you will save hundreds if not thousands of dollars by ordering our premium business plan compared to hiring a consultant or subscribing to complicated and expensive software.

If you have any question regarding our ready-made Laundry business plan package,  do not hesitate to contact us , we are here to help.

You Might Also Be Interested in

Catering Business Plan Template

Hotel Business Plan Template

Bed and Breakfast Business Plan Template

How to Write a Laundromat Business Plan + Example Templates

Elon Glucklich

7 min. read

Updated February 7, 2024

Free Download:  Sample Laundromat Business Plan Template

Would you open a business in an industry that continuously sees annual growth rates between 3 and 5 percent , with steady growth forecast for the next decade?

Starting a laundromat business may not sound flashy, but it has proven to be a profitable venture for many.

But just like a retail store or tech startup, operating a successful laundromat business takes careful planning. It also requires accounting for major upfront costs, and keeping in compliance with environmental regulations.  

That’s why it’s so important to conduct extensive research and planning, before investing in building space and expensive commercial-grade laundry equipment. Putting together a solid business plan will help you focus on the important purchases to make and processes to implement to run a successful laundromat business.

Get started by downloading our free sample laundromat business plan template .

• Why You Need a Business Plan for Your Laundromat Business

Because of the careful planning and attention to details required, it’s crucial to map out the vision and structure for your business. That’s where a business plan comes in handy.

Do you know how much you will need to spend on equipment before you ever bring in any revenue? Will you need a bank loan to get up and running? Most customers look for the laundromat that’s closest to them , so how much do you know about the demographics of the neighborhood you plan to operate in?

A business plan is the place to compile your most relevant market research , financial projections , and your overall strategic vision for the business. It’s where you can document assumptions about your startup costs and ongoing operational costs, as well as the processes you’ll put in place to ensure compliance with environmental rules.

This guide will help you structure your laundromat business plan, detailing the main areas to cover in the plan and what types of information you’ll need to compile.

• Understand Your Business Model and Startup Costs

All laundromats are not the same. There are the traditional, coin-operated models. But there are also more modern card-operated systems. Many are self-service, but some provide drop-off service, dry clearing, even tailoring. In your business plan, you should discuss the laundromat business model you are choosing and why. Higher-end services like tailoring might attract a broader customer base, but they bring additional costs.

Your business plan is the place to define the services you will provide . It’s important to document these decisions, even if you are just opting for a traditional coin-operated laundromat. Producing a detailed estimation of your startup costs before launching the business is essential, since it will ensure you are considering the full range of equipment and utility costs.

Once you have defined your business model, you will need to show that it aligns with your projected costs, including:

• Building lease or purchase
• Renovations
• Commercial-grade laundry equipment
• Laundry detergent
• Business license

Without detailing your startup costs upfront, your financial projections for the business won’t be accurate, and you will be less prepared for unexpected costs .

A detailed financial projection will also help you determine how long it will take for your business to break even . With a detailed description of your business model and startup costs, you will be ready to approach lenders or investors to get funding for your laundromat . That initial investment will be key to your success, since laundromat startup costs are often hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Know the Area You’ll Serve

Location, location, location. It’s true for many businesses that the location it operates in plays a major role in determining how many customers walk through its doors. That’s especially true for a laundromat. Many customers will be apartment tenants, and are likely to seek out a laundromat within 1-3 miles of where they live.

So the location of your laundromat is a significant determinant of its potential success, and should be a focal point in your business plan. A strategic location can drive high foot traffic, increase visibility, and ultimately boost revenue.

Your selected location should ideally be in an area with a high density of potential customers. This could include neighborhoods with many apartments or near university dormitories where residents may not have easy access to laundry facilities. Additionally, your location should be easily accessible, preferably on a main road with clear visibility from the street to attract passers-by.

In your business plan, explain why your chosen location meets these criteria. Describe the following:

• Demographics of the area
• Ease of access to the business
• Visibility from the street
• Competitors and their distance from your business

While marketing may not be a huge portion of your operating budget, you will want to demonstrate in your business plan that you have a strategy for acquiring customers and retaining them . Consider strategies you might use to promote your business, like advertising through flyers and newspaper ads, or digital marketing on social media or through search engine optimization.

Understanding your target customers will help inform these strategies. For instance, if your laundromat is near residential areas or college campuses, you may want to advertise in student publications or on social media channels. But if it’s in the middle of a busy downtown, you may want to advertise cleaning services for suits, or commercial laundry services.

• Stay on Top of Operating Expenses

We’ve discussed the sizable costs to open a laundromat business. But there are also ongoing operational costs that need to be taken into account. Think about a washing machine that’s broken down, dryer lint screens that need to be replaced, or maintenance on your water connections. 

Your business plan is where to compile those costs, since they’ll have a significant impact on your long-term finances. You won’t be able to accurately estimate your break even date without them.

Your business plan must detail the maintenance and repair strategies you intend to employ in order to extend the life of your equipment. Document your strategy for handling repairs – whether you’ll use an on-call technician, train any staff to handle minor upkeep, or send faulty equipment to the manufacturer for repairs.

You should also state whether you will have a contingency plan while machines are being repaired. Do you have spare machines, or a regular maintenance schedule to minimize disruption? This will show potential lenders or investors that you’ve considered steps to maintain steady revenue streams.

Don’t forget about utility and insurance costs, as well. These are ongoing expenses that can change as your business grows. You will want to demonstrate in your business plan that you have considered the impact of these costs on your business – not just when you start the business, but on an ongoing basis.

• Compliance Can Make or Break Your Business

Laundromats are subject to a variety of regulations , from local zoning laws to environmental standards. For instance, there might be specific requirements for wastewater disposal, given the amount of detergents and chemicals laundromats typically use. You may also need to comply with safety standards regarding equipment operation and maintenance.

It’s crucial to comply with all relevant regulations, just as in any business. Your business plan should include a section dedicated to detailing these legal and regulatory requirements.

Start by identifying the agencies that oversee these regulations, from local health departments to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protection Agency. List the concerns these agencies will be looking out for, from wastewater disposal to emissions from your laundry machines. Then, detail the steps you’ll take to ensure compliance, such as regular inspections and audits, staff training and the implementation of safety protocols.

Show customers and your lender that you know about the relevant regulations and have a plan to stay on top of them. Not only will it reassure them that you can responsibly run a laundromat business, but it also reduces the risk of costly fines, operational disruptions and even lawsuits.

• Download a free laundromat business plan template and example

For help getting your business started, download our free laundromat business plan template . You can download this document in Word form and use it as a foundation for your own business plan.

If you want to brush up on how to write specific sections of a traditional business plan, take a look at our step-by-step guide on how to write a business plan .

Brought to you by

Create a professional business plan

Using ai and step-by-step instructions.

Secure funding

Validate ideas

Build a strategy

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

Table of Contents

• Know the Area You’ll Serve

Related Articles

1 Min. Read

Free Clothing Retail Sample Business Plan

12 Min. Read

How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan (2024 + Template)

13 Min. Read

How to Write a Business Plan for a Daycare Center

Free Amazon FBA Business Plan PDF [2024 Template + Sample Plan]

The LivePlan Newsletter

Become a smarter, more strategic entrepreneur.

Your first monthly newsetter will be delivered soon..

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy .

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

How to Open a Commercial Laundry Business: A Complete Guide

A commercial laundry business can be a great source of income if it’s located in the right area, offers competitive services, and is well-maintained. But opening a commercial laundry service isn't as easy as opening a simple mom-and-pop laundry business. Here's what you need to know to successfully start your own.

Know your niche

Study the market in your target area to determine the need for a commercial laundry. If you’re purchasing an existing laundry business, review its past business records to predict its future profitability. If establishing a new business, make sure you are not entering a market with more existing laundries than the area can support. Identify an area that needs, and can support, your new business venture.

Choose the right equipment

Determining the type of commercial laundry equipment your business may require will depend largely on the types of services you plan to provide. In addition to high-volume, commercial-grade washers and dryers, you may need green technology tools, delivery vehicles (if you plan on offering laundry delivery service), and more. When writing your business plan, bear in mind that it might be possible to package the facility purchase with the equipment purchase in a single loan arrangement, as long as you are able to identify and describe the types of equipment and technology you will require.

Find your spot

Carefully consider the location for your laundry business. People are constantly looking for convenience and rarely want to stray from their daily commute, so a dry cleaner is likely to attract more customers if it’s located near office and housing complexes, schools, and other areas with high, consistent traffic. For larger commercial laundries, consider locations near hospitals, hotels, or busy downtown areas where there is likely to be repeat high-volume business cleaning items like linens and uniforms.

Write your business plan

Your business plan is a formal declaration of your professional goals and plans for attaining those goals. It will serve as the blueprint for your commercial laundry business and will be necessary to secure funding if you intend to take out a loan. A good business plan should include:

Lay out your business’s managerial structure, professional qualifications and background, and your plans for maintaining ownership of the company.

Describe your proposed services in great detail, including any factors that separate your business from similar concepts and potential competition. You should also include a description of any existing, pending, or predicted filings for copyrights or patents related to your business.

Describe how you’re planning to enter the market, strategies for growing your business, channels of distribution and promotion, and how you plan on marketing your business to attract and retain customers. Develop a sales strategy that includes your proposed sales force and projected sales activities.

If you will be seeking loans to fund your business, draft up a request that outlines your current financial needs, projected financial requirements, and strategic financial plan. Include a financial projection that details historical financial information (if you’ve been in business before) as well as anticipated earnings and losses for your new business.

Franchise with Tide Cleaners

Opening your commercial laundry business with a winning franchise include benefits like the support and structure to get your business launched with the backing of years of experience and industry-leading success in both dry cleaning and laundry services. Franchise owners receive guidance and assistance in finding the best franchise location , hands-on training , and ongoing guidance and marketing support.

Tide Cleaners offers prospective franchisees the opportunity to make their dreams of owning a commercial laundry business come true with a brand consistently ranked No. 1 in its Dry Cleaning & Laundry category by Entrepreneur. Tide Cleaners is known world-wide as the preeminent cleaning service, and we invite you to explore joining the team.

Contact us to learn more about Tide Cleaners franchise opportunities.

Related articles

This is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. Any offer to sell a franchise will be made after individuals have been qualified to receive a Franchise Disclosure Document. For those individuals who qualify, an offer to sell the franchise will only be made in conjunction with the delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE ANY FRANCHISEES' STATEMENTS OR THEIR EXPERIENCE AS AN INFERENCE THAT THE PURCHASE OF A FRANCHISE IS A SAFE INVESTMENT OR THAT FAILURE, LOSS OR DEFAULT IS IMPOSSIBLE OR UNLIKELY, OR THAT EARNINGS OR PROFITS ARE ASSURED. NOTICE: We may sell your sensitive personal data.

One Procter & Gamble Plaza Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 United States

© 2024 Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble - Tide Cleaners. All Rights Reserved.

• Territories
• Support & Success
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information / Opt-Out of Targeted Advertising

• Find out more
• English - United States
• English - Philippines
• English - South Africa
• Filter by subject
• For Entrepreneurs
• Franchising 101

Laundry Business

• Sharing Experiences
• Filtrar por temas

Business Plan For The Laundry Industry [PDF]

In order to have a successful business, it is crucial to have a plan, a laundromat business plan . But, what exactly is  a business plan ? What should be included? How to know if the steps are being followed? This is what this article is all about!

Step 1. The definition of a business plan is that it is a written description of the future of a business. It's a document that tells the story of what the plan is and how to make it happen.  Although every business has its own story, there are some generally accepted conventions about what a full-blown business plan should include and how it should be presented. First of all, the famous 5 W's: What, When, Who, Where, Why and How .  By answering this 5 questions in the right way, the business plan for laundry services will cover all the important matters that will contribute on making the business a success.

“Going into business without a business plan is like going on a mountain trek without a map or GPS support – you’ll eventually get lost and starve!”  - Kevin J. Donaldson

Any laundromat business plan should start with a list of the services that will be provided. Will the laundry be delivered back to the customers or will there be specialized services offered such as dry cleaning and/ or ironing? It does not matter if entrepreneur(s) will not be going for a bank loan or a venture capital, a business plan doc will give clarity about where the business is heading and it is a helpful tool to stay organized and remain on track.

A BUSINESS PLAN FOR A LAUNDROMAT BUSINESS  

Laundry business has had a boom in these recent years, since people have no time (nor are they are fund of) for washing, dry cleaning and ironing their clothes. This business sector is a great business opportunity to invest in due to the fact that it offers a solution to people's problems, which is why it has a very high and recurrent demand (people will never stop washing their clothes). Although laundry business has a great potential, it is crucial to understand the importance of a business plan in order to make this business work. 

Business franchises come with a large number of benefits, including the providing of everything needed to get a business up and running. As the brand  and business model are already set-up and established, entering a franchise contract can come with less risk than starting a business entirely from scratch.

KEY COMPONENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL LAUNDRY BUSINESS PLAN

It is important that every business plan for laundry services answers the 5w's , the length does not matter, as some business are bigger than others or need a deeper explanation for its understanding. As stated before, the main objetive of a business plan is for your product(s) and/or service(s) to be understood.

The following topics are to be explained in a business plan:

• Basic Business Concept
• Strategy and Actions for its Implementation
• Competitive Advantages
• Target Market
• Financial Needs

1. Basic Business Concept

This is an overall of the idea, where the When & How should be explained. This is where the entrepreneur(s) should explain and discuss the following:

• The industry
• The business structure
• The introduction of the product or service
• The plan for making the business

The main objective of this section is for people (such as investors) to figure out if the business is attractive or not and where the What and How  will be explained. 

2. Strategy and Actions for its Implementation

After the introduction of the product or service is made, here is where the following questions must be answered:

What are the specific goals for this business? 

When and How  will the goals be accomplished? 

This three questions are the body of the plan, this is one of the most important sections, it could be said that it is the heart of the business plan. 

3. Competitive Advantages od a laundromat business plan

Why should people look at this laundry business plan instead of other? Why would customers want to purchase those products and/ or services and not those of the competitors? Here is where the chance to dazzle the readers with good and solid information about the laundry business is.

4. Target Market --> Marketing Plan

Everything about the potential and actual customers. 

• What profile is being looked for? 
• What is the demographic audience? 
• What methods will be used to capture the specific audience? 
• How will the “attack” and retain of the customers will be done to gain more profit? 
• What sets your business apart from the competition?

5. Financial Needs

Starting a laundry business might be more expensive than people think. When writing down a laundry business plan , it is important to jot down all the equipment and items that will be needed such as: washers, dryers, detergent, hangers, and so on. These items will need to be factored into the budget to ensure the venture is financially viable.

These statements provide a model of how the ideas about a laundry business, its markets and its strategies will play out. It is important to remember that a business plan is based on facts and not feelings. The entrepreneur(s) have to stick on the projections and numbers instead of hopes, think about realistic expectations of profit instead of focusing on dreams of wealth. This section is about facts - checkable, demonstrable facts - because here, is were the most important component of all comes out: THE CREDIBILITY

IN CONCLUSION:

A laundromat business plan is a great tool that allows founders to present their vision and plans of a project. When using any business plan format, there are standard questions (such as the 5 w’s) that force every person involved to think, analyze & create a long term vision and strategy for the idea.  It is demonstrated that writing things down on paper helps as a guide to track the progress and have better control on the status to be accountable on the future.

“Business planning is incredibly helpful for describing what you do, understanding who your competitors are, and crafting a realistic three to five year plan. Each of these activities is crucial if you are looking to launch or expand a venture, and learning to speak concisely about your company will always be crucial no matter what stage you’re in.”   - Garrett Neiman , College Spring

HOW DID THE MOST FAMOUS SPANISH LAUNDRY STARTUP MADE IT HAPPEN?

Subscribe and stay up-to-date

Subscribe and stay up to date, recommended articles, how much does a laundry make, what is the ideal place for a laundry, di lo que piensas, subscribe here.

• Laundry franchise
• Gym franchise
• Hairdressing franchise
• Massage franchise
• Jeff concept
• What is a franchise and how does it work?
• Business opportunity
• What we offer
• Training and support
• Profitable franchises

¡DOWNLOAD THE APP!

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to create a laundromat business plan (+ examples)

• Annabelle Amery
• 11 min read

When diving into the world of running a laundromat, one of your first spin cycles should be creating a well-structured business plan. Your laundromat business plan serves as a blueprint for setting goals, defining strategies and projecting your financial journey.

Your plan helps you smooth out any potential wrinkles when you’re starting a business for the first time. Keep reading to learn how to structure your plan, and how to make sure that it works to your advantage.

Looking to promote your business online? Use Wix’s website builder to start making your website , then manage your site, marketing and ads all in one place.

How to create a laundromat business plan in 6 steps

To effectively clean up in the industry, a laundromat business plan will need to outline your service offerings, marketing strategies and financial projections. In the upcoming sections, we will walk you through six critical components of any strong laundromat business plan.

Executive summary

Business and domain names

Market research and analysis

Operations plan

Marketing and advertising

Financial plan

01. Executive summary

The executive summary of a laundromat business plan is a concise overview of the entire plan. It provides readers with a snapshot of the business's goals, strategies and key elements. Writing a clear executive summary is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of the plan and should encapsulate the essence of the business in a compelling way.

To create an effective executive summary for a laundromat business plan, focus on the following aspects:

Introduce your laundromat business, its core services, and the unique value it offers to customers. Provide a brief overview of your vision and mission.

Define your target demographic, such as students, busy professionals or families. Explain why this market is ideal for your laundromat services.

Highlight what sets your laundromat apart from competitors: your key differentiation. This could be advanced technology, exceptional customer service, convenient location or a focus on sustainability.

Provide a high-level overview of your financial projections, including startup costs, estimated revenue and the timeline for profitability.

If applicable, briefly outline your future growth strategies and expansion plans, such as adding additional locations or services.

02. Business and domain names

Selecting an appropriate business name is a big decision for your laundromat business. It's the foundation of your brand identity and should convey the essence of your services. When brainstorming names, consider using a business name generator for inspiration. Ensure that your name is memorable, easy to pronounce and reflective of your brand values.

Alongside your company name, securing a matching domain name for your business website is crucial. The domain name should closely align with your company name and be easy to remember. Use domain name registrars to check the availability of your preferred name.

Once you’ve landed on your name and business structure, make sure to register your business .

03. Market research and analysis

Including a market analysis and research section in your laundromat business plan is essential for understanding the competitive landscape and crafting a successful marketing strategy. Conduct thorough research to identify your target market's preferences, demographics and behaviors.

By analyzing competitors in your area, you can gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses. This information allows you to position your laundromat effectively, highlighting your unique value proposition. Additionally, a SWOT analysis helps you identify internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats, guiding your strategic decisions.

04. Operations plan

The operations plan details the practical aspects of running your business efficiently and provides insights into location, premises, equipment and staffing needs.

Outline the location selection process, taking into consideration factors like foot traffic, accessibility and proximity to your target market. Describe the layout of your laundromat, including the arrangement of washing and drying machines, folding areas and seating.

Discuss the equipment you plan to use. Include specifications for washers, dryers, vending machines and any other amenities. Address staffing needs, detailing the roles of attendants, maintenance personnel and customer service representatives.

05. Marketing and advertising plan

Incorporate a comprehensive marketing and advertising plan that outlines how you intend to attract and retain customers.

Make sure to develop your branding strategy, too, which includes your logo, laundromat slogan , color scheme and overall visual identity. If you’re not sure where to start, use a logo maker to get the creative juices flowing.

Outline both your online and offline marketing tactics, laying out any promotional campaigns you plan to run (think: discounts for first-time customers, loyalty programs and referral incentives). Think of other avenues to promote your site, such as creating a business website , managing online reviews and partnering with local businesses.

06. Financial plan

The financial plan section projects the financial aspects of your business. List your startup costs, including equipment purchases, your lease, facility renovation, permits, licenses and initial marketing expenses. Estimate ongoing operating expenses like utilities, maintenance, insurance and staffing costs.

After that, develop a revenue forecast based on the number of machines, usage rates and the pricing structure. Outline your pricing strategy, considering local market trends and competitor pricing.

Last but not least, you’ll want to detail funding sources for your startup, whether it's personal savings, loans, investments or grants. Provide a clear timeline for achieving profitability, considering factors like customer acquisition rate and seasonal fluctuations.

Examples of laundromat business plans

Below are two business plan examples for hypothetical laundromat businesses. These plans include all the sections discussed previously and can act as a starting point for your own plan.

Draft business plan 1: FreshWash Laundromat

FreshWash Laundromat is a cutting-edge self-service laundry facility located in a prime urban area. Our mission is to provide customers with a convenient, efficient and environmentally friendly laundry experience. With a commitment to modern technology, exceptional customer service and sustainable practices, we aim to redefine the way people approach laundry.

Our target market includes urban professionals, college students, and young families seeking a hassle-free laundry solution. We stand out from competitors by offering contactless payment options, energy-efficient machines and a relaxing lounge area for customers.

In our first year of operation, we project revenue of $150,000, growing to $200,000 in the second year. With the success of our initial location, we plan to expand to additional neighborhoods in the third year, achieving a 10% market share.

Company and domain names

We have chosen "FreshWash Laundromat" as our company name to reflect our commitment to providing fresh and clean laundry services. The domain name "FreshWashLaundry.com" complements our brand identity and serves as a user-friendly online platform for customers to explore our services and offerings.

Market analysis and research

Our marketing analysis reveals a growing demand for convenient and modern laundromat services in urban areas. By conducting competitor analysis, we've identified opportunities to differentiate ourselves through cutting-edge technology, customer engagement and sustainable practices.

Our laundromat will be strategically located near residential complexes and commercial areas, maximizing foot traffic. The facility will feature advanced washing and drying machines, comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi and vending machines. We'll employ attendants for customer assistance and maintenance.

Marketing and advertising plan

Our marketing strategy focuses on creating an engaging online presence through social media platforms, local advertisements and partnerships with nearby businesses. We'll offer promotional campaigns, loyalty programs and referral incentives to attract and retain customers. Our website will provide information about services, pricing and convenient online booking options.

Startup costs

Lease and facility setup: $50,000

Washing and drying machines: $70,000

Renovation and decor: $20,000

Marketing materials: $5,000

Initial operating expenses: $10,000

Funding sources

Personal savings: $40,000

Small business loan: $70,000

Revenue projections

Year 1: $150,000

Year 2: $200,000

Year 3: $250,000

Break-even analysis: Expected break-even point within the first year.

Draft business plan 2: EcoClean Laundromat

EcoClean Laundromat is a revolutionary self-service laundry facility that combines convenience with environmental responsibility. Our goal is to offer customers an eco-friendly alternative for their laundry needs, using energy-efficient machines, biodegradable detergents and water-saving technologies.

Our target market comprises environmentally conscious individuals, families and students seeking to reduce their ecological footprint. Our unique value proposition lies in promoting sustainability while providing top-notch laundry services.

We anticipate revenue of $120,000 in the first year of operation, growing to $150,000 in the second year. Our expansion plans include collaborating with local sustainability organizations to further raise awareness and community engagement.

"EcoClean Laundromat" aligns perfectly with our commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Our domain name, "EcoCleanLaundry.com," reinforces our brand message and offers customers a seamless online experience to learn about our services and book appointments.

Our market analysis highlights a growing trend towards eco-conscious consumer behavior. By researching competitors and industry trends, we've identified opportunities to cater to individuals who prioritize sustainability in their choices.

EcoClean Laundromat will operate in a central location with a focus on energy efficiency and water conservation. We'll use modern washing machines that require less water and energy, and biodegradable detergents that minimize harm to the environment. Our facility will offer educational materials to promote eco-friendly laundry practices.

Our marketing strategy emphasizes online and offline channels to reach our target audience. We'll use social media platforms to share tips on sustainable living and promote our eco-friendly services. Collaborations with local environmental organizations and participation in community events will further enhance our visibility.

Lease and facility setup: $40,000

Energy-efficient machines: $60,000

Renovation for eco-friendly features: $15,000

Marketing materials: $3,000

Initial operating expenses: $7,000

Personal savings: $30,000

Green business grant: $50,000

Year 1: $120,000

Year 2: $150,000

Year 3: $180,000

Why should you create a laundromat business plan? Top benefits to keep in mind

A business plan  can take shape in many different ways, but a well-structured plan can offer the following benefits.

Raising money for your business :  Your laundromat business plan can help you gain the trust of potential investors, partners or lenders specifically interested in the world of laundry. It shows you've done your research, know the ins and outs of the laundry game, and have a clear plan for making a clean profit.

Mapping out your resources:  Your plan helps you sort out all the laundry-specific essentials you need to launch and operate your laundromat successfully. From washers and dryers to detergents, seating, signage and even coin exchange machines, it's all there. This detailed resource plan ensures you don't miss a single sock and allows you to create an accurate budget tailored to the laundromat business.

Staffing:  Your laundromat business plan covers your staffing needs. Whether you're hiring attendants, maintenance experts or front desk staff, defining these roles helps estimate labor costs, ensuring the efficient operation of your laundromat.

Mastering the market:  Your plan dives deep into the laundromat market—understanding your competition, pinpointing your target customers and staying ahead of laundry trends. This insight is essential to find your unique selling points within the laundry world and tailor your offerings to meet the specific demands of laundry enthusiasts.

Operating smoothly:  Your business plan spells out the nuts and bolts of how your laundromat operates, from customer entry to equipment use and payment methods unique to the laundry industry. This meticulous level of detail ensures smooth operations and happy customers, specifically within the laundromat setting.

Anticipating any challenges:  By conducting a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis within the laundry context, your plan helps you spot potential wrinkles in the laundry cycle.

Painting the big picture:  Your plan pushes you to set long-term goals and dreams within the laundromat business. This vision guides your decisions, growth plans, and investments, ensuring your laundromat stays on the path to becoming a reputable and successful laundry hub within your community.

Read more about how to start a service business .

Laundromat business plan FAQ

What types of equipment are needed for a laundromat.

The most essential equipment for a laundromat includes washing machines, dryers, detergent dispensers, seating, and coin exchange machines. Depending on your target market and services offered, you may also need additional equipment such as ironing stations or garment steamers.

How much does it cost to open a laundromat?

Do i need any special permits or licenses to open a laundromat, how can i make my laundromat more eco-friendly, how do i choose the best location for my laundromat, what legal considerations should i keep in mind when opening a laundromat business, how can i effectively market my laundromat, what operational challenges can i expect in running a laundromat, how do i determine the pricing strategy for my laundromat services, how often should i review and update my laundromat business plan, is it better to buy an existing laundromat or start one from scratch, how can technology enhance the customer experience in a laundromat, other service business ideas you might be interested in pursuing.

Got another type of business in mind? Check out these guides as well as other service business examples .

How to start an online business

How to start a consulting business

How to start a fitness business

How to start a fitness clothing line

How to start a makeup line

How to start a candle business

How to start a clothing business

How to start an online boutique

How to start a T-shirt business

How to start a jewelry business

How to start a subscription box business

How to start a beauty business

How to start a trucking business

How to start a construction business

How to start a landscaping business

How to start a food business

How to start a vending machine business

How to start a contractor business

How to start a coaching business

How to start an eCommerce business

How to start a dropshipping business

How to start a farming business

How to start a plumbing business

How to start a food prep business

How to start a rental property business

Want to create another type of business plan?

How to create a real estate business plan

How to create a flower business plan

How to create a medical supply business plan

How to create a car wash business plan

How to create a contractor business plan

How to create a DJ business plan

How to create a dog walking business plan

How to create a clothing line business plan

How to create a construction business plan

How to create a painting business plan

How to create a plumbing business plan

How to create a rental property business plan

How to create an eCommerce business plan

How to create a bar business plan

How to create a photographer business plan

How to create a cleaning business plan

How to create a restaurant business plan

How to create a coffee shop business plan

Related Posts

How to start a laundromat business in 7 steps

Laundromat marketing to press out profits

31 laundromat slogans to soak up brand loyalty

Was this article helpful?

• Laundry Business Plan – How To Start A Laundry Business

Laundry Business Plan - How To Start A Laundry Business

• Amrita Singh
• August 1, 2023

Table of Contents

A laundry business can grow immensely if you know how to start and operate it ideally. You can either s tart your own laundry store or join a successful laundry franchise .  And, i n both of these ways, a well-built laundry business plan remains imperative. There are 10 crucial components that sums up in an ideal business plan. Let’s have a look at them:

10 Important Components Of A Laundry Business Plan

1. figuring out an ideal location.

The first thing to consider under a laundry business plan is finalizing a perfect location to set up your business. By “perfect” we mean a place where people (your potential customers) can see and get attracted towards your shop. It cannot be any random area in your city. Hence, you will have to carry out intense research on:

• Demographic
• Market Competition

To execute your laundry business plan, you will have to start by visiting all markets in an area you are willing to run your business. Then, shortlist a set of markets or locations where you see a stable population to avail of your service and less competition.

Join India's No.1 Laundry Brand

2. Figuring out an ideal shop

After finding the perfect location or market, the next step of a laundry business plan is finding the right shop. It is again a time consuming and laborious task as there are multiple factors that you will have to consider. For example, your shop should have enough space to install machinery, a counter, a customer waiting area, etc. Next, there must be proper arrangements for water and electricity usage. It is best to have some parking space available near the shop. Another highly important aspect is the visibility of the shop. It must be located at a place from where you can get maximum footfall.

Along with all of these things, the rent or lease amount of the shop must be as per your budget.

3. Finalizing the layout of the shop

Next step of a good laundry business plan revolves around the design of the shop. While many people don’t consider it important, mindful shop layout is crucial . Because it impacts the functionality of your business to a great length. You will have to work on multiple designs or layouts including electrical, civil, plumbing, mechanical and vastu (optional) layouts as well. If you have an in-house architectural team then they will do this for you. Otherwise you will have to get the layouts from an architectural firm.

4. Monitoring contractual work during store construction

The construction of your shop can go wrong in many places if it will not be monitored properly. Hence, have a clear thought on how you will monitor the entire process of construction. It will include communicating with contractors, keeping an eye on the labourers, etc.

You will also have to supervise the activities daily, weekly and monthly to ensure that your store gets constructed within the stipulated time. While it may seem easy, it takes a lot of time and effort to deal with contractors. Hence, make sure that you allocate proper time to the supervision of contractual work in your laundry business plan.

5. Finalizing the best machines and chemicals

The success of any business depends on the satisfaction of its customers or clients. In a laundry business, your services must be top-notch for this purpose. Mainly because this business sustains on customer retention or repeat business.

In order to provide top-notch laundry service to your customers, you will need high-end machinery and chemicals. Hence, you will have to research and find the best quality machinery and chemicals available in the market. Remember, this will directly impact the performance of your business. So, do not refrain from investing time and effort into this activity. If you are new to the industry, it will take you some time to study what sort of chemicals and machines are best. There are tons of options available. Hence, make sure you allocate enough time for research while making your laundry business plan.

6. Finding reliable contractors and vendors

Three things can impact your business in negative ways:

• Not having an on-time and ample supply of raw materials like chemicals and packaging materials.
• Not getting timely maintenance for your machines.
• Not having enough marketing materials such as leaflets, brochures, and visiting cards as and when required.

In order to ensure time and ample supply of all these things you will need to find trustworthy vendors and suppliers. This should be one of the prime tasks in your laundry business plan.

Want reliable vendors & suppliers for your business?

7. Setting the right price for your services

You will have to carry out in-depth research at the ground level as well as online to set the right price benchmark. If the prices of your services will be too higher than your competitors, it is less likely that customers will prefer your services. On the other hand, if your services will be priced too low, your profit margins may suffer. This will slow down your financial growth. Hence, your laundry business plan must have a clear process on how will you set your price benchmark

8. Staff recruitment and training

To operate a laundry business you will need three types of employees: Manager, Washer men & Delivery executives.

It is crucial to  hire the right people  and train them to perfection. Dishonest, non-skilled and rigid people can never offer quality service to your customers. Hence, your laundry business plan must focus on ideal recruitment and training. While recruitment is often a no-brainer, many people don’t understand laundry workers also need intense training. The quality of laundry service directly depends on your workforce, especially washermen. Hence, your washer men will need training on several crucial things, such as:

• Cleaning different types of fabrics
• Removing different types of stains
• Handling embroidered or embellished clothes
• Ironing different fabrics

While you can outsource hiring to Human Resource agencies, and train store managers and delivery boys yourself, you cannot do such arrangements to train employees, especially workers. Hence, you should have a clear understanding on hiring and training your staff. 

If you want the best of the laundry workers (washermen) then you can join a Tumbledry franchise . Tumbledry has established India’s first and one-of-a-kind manpower training academy for laundry workers where they are trained to perfection for 14 days. Due to this rigorous training, Tumbledry’s washer men can provide better quality service to the customers. 

9. Marketing strategies for business promotion

Without effective marketing, your laundry business will not flourish to its fullest. Hence, your laundry business plan must include promotional strategies. It should be centred on both traditional (offline) and digital (online) marketing.

The strategies must be convincing. You should aim to attract as many people as possible towards your business and convince them to try your services. It will require substantial research and effort. Some people may suggest you outsource marketing & promotional activities to agencies. However, it is less likely to give you far-reaching results.

Want 360° marketing support for laundry business

10. Management of business operations

A laundry business requires consistent effort and involvement. You will have to manage operations and monitor your staff, and customers and maintain communication with the vendors. You should have a clear plan on how you will manage these things entirely. Here is what you need to figure out while creating your laundry business plan:

• How your staff will be satisfied with their job – This is crucial to avoid manpower attrition which can affect any business adversely.
• How will you maintain a cordial relationship with suppliers and vendors – This is crucial to ensure you get an on-time supply of essential raw materials.
• How will your customers get accurate information about your services and their orders – This is crucial to address their complaints and queries and maintain customer satisfaction.

If you don’t have a perfect plan to handle all of these things, it is better not to take the responsibility on your shoulders. Otherwise, your business will face frequent hurdles. You can think of joining a franchise.

For Franchise Queries

If you will start your own business from scratch, the entire load of activities like research, construction, maintaining supply chain, marketing and tons of other things will remain on your shoulders. Whereas, if you will join a successful laundry franchise, a huge part of the responsibility of business set-up and operations will remain with the franchisor.

How Tumbledry Can Give You A Profitable Laundry Business?

People who sign up for a Tumbledry franchise get complete support in setting up and operating their laundry business. Every single component of an ideal laundry business plan that you’ve read above is followed by the Tumbledry team. And, you can enjoy the perks of a laundry business. 

The proof of the success of our business model is clearly depicted through our growth. You can also have a quick glance at our journey: 

We started with 1 live laundry store in 2019. At present we have 1000+ stores spread across 360+ cities in India. We have come a long way in a span of just 5 years. This achievement has been possible because our franchise partners are also growing exponentially. And with consistent hard work, we are all set to have 2000 live stores in India by 2026 . 

Our well-thought strategies and diligence have made it possible for us to emerge as India’s largest laundry chain in just 4 years of operation. Hence, you can definitely count on us for your business. Now, let’s see how we enable our partners. 

Want a profitable laundry business with 80% Annual ROI?

Tumbledry’s Support To Its Franchise Partners

The onus of setting up your laundry business will be on us, here’s what we do:

• Shortlist the best locations
• Find financially viable shops in the selected location
• Construction of your store as per ideal layouts
• Provide you with right machinery & raw materials at the right price
• Recruit and train staff for your laundry business
• Finance integration for a seamless online business
• Provide you with responsive customer & runner apps
• Promote your business via rigorous branding & marketing
• Handle your customer queries at our centralized call centre

These are just some of the key aspects where we help our franchise partners. Alongside, our dedicated Territory Sales Manager guides and supports them at every stage of business.

You can go through this video for a detailed explanation of how we can help you to start a laundry business.

Key Takeaway

To have a successful business in the laundry industry, the first thing you must have is a well-thought laundry business plan. And there are 10 things that are crucial components of a business plan. We have explained them in brief above. If you have read them all, it’s time for a quick evaluation.

Think whether you can implement all the 10 components of the laundry business plan effectively or not. If you think you can do it, go ahead with your own venture. However, if you have even the slightest doubts, it is better not to risk your time, money and effort by starting a business from scratch. In this case, you can join a successful franchise and get complete hold-holding support from the franchisor. This will lead you to a profitable laundry business without any major risk factors.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily purport to reflect the values or views of Tumbledry.

12 Great Home Business Ideas For 2024

Go through these best and simple home business...

20 Startup Business Ideas That You Must Try

We have shared 20 best startup business ideas...

5 Reasons Why I Started my Own Business

The dilemma of starting out own or choosing...

4 Franchise Businesses That Are Recession and Pandemic

As an entrepreneur, one would love to be...

This is the biggest proof of success of

It is when the existing franchises are so...

8 Reasons to Start a Franchise Business vs

Why should one choose franchise over own business?...

A Franchise Business Profitable in Every City

For a business to be profitable and scalable,...

10 Most Profitable Franchise Business Opportunities in India

If you have also planning to start a...

Why did I choose the laundry industry

Cleaning carpets at home isn’t easy if you...

7 Important Questions That You Don’t Ask Before

Generally, people ask about the company's background, capital...

Subscribe to us:

Sign up to get more information about laundry & dry clean business and franchise.

Useful Links

• Our Services
• Why Choose Us
• Find Nearest Store
• Schedule Pick up
• +91 7677250250
• [email protected]

Try it once to feel the difference

Shoe material analyzed to decide the cleaning methodology.

The laces, sole, and other removable parts are separated to be cleaned individually.

Any spots or stains are removed with German organic chemicals.

All the bacteria, viruses and bad odor is eliminated.

Shoes are Air Dried, Blow Dried, or Sun Dried depending on the skin type.

Shoe skin is nourished & enriched with our unique natural oil based polish

Once polish is dried, our experts reassemble all shoe parts and pack them for delivery.

Carpet Cleaning

An intense, deep-cleaning of carpets to restore their original glory

We specialize in dry cleaning of Persian rugs, silk & Turkish carpets, and all other premium, imported rugs of nylon, wool, cotton, polyester and olefin.

• 100% carpet fabric color & luster preserved
• Eco-friendly, pet and child-safe detergents
• Anti germ treatment & deodorization
• Mold damage reversal
• Complimentary border pasting

WOOLENS DRY CLEANING​

Our Woolmark approved Lagoon system is the world’s most advanced and eco-friendly technology for dry cleaning woolen garments – sweaters, coats, furs, shawls, pashmina, and jackets.

Your woolen garments will be delivered stain free, and will retain their original texture, smoothness, fluffiness, shape & size. Our advanced systems and processes ensure zero shrinkage.

For expensive and delicate woolens like furs & pashmina, we use special eco-friendly chemicals from Germany which are of neutral ph, and form a protective covering around wool fiber to maintain its shine & lustre after dry cleaning.

CURTAIN CLEANING​

Premium curtain dry cleaning service service with facility to remove the curtains from rods and install them back after dry cleaning.

• Processing as per curtain fabric type (silk, velvet, blackout etc)
• Zero shrinkage guaranteed with our Italian technology
• 99% stain removal promise
• 100% shine & lustre maintained with our German organic chemicals
• Crisp, wrinkle free steam iron
• Complimentary curtain ring replacement

Leather Dry Cleaning

Professional leather dry cleaning for jackets, bags, purses, clutches, wallets, belts, shoes, boots and stilettos.

Protect your leather items from dirt, dust, oil stains, perspiration, dehydration, mold & mildew.

Our expert leather care technicians inspect each item with utmost care to assess the color, shade, and type of leather, and accordingly decide the most appropriate treatment.

Complimentary conditioning and polishing to ensure smooth & shining finish

Shoes/Bag Cleaning & Restoration

Experts in dry cleaning of Sports, Canvass, Leather, Suede, Nubuck Shoes, Sneakers, Boots, Sandals and Canvass, Jute, Leather & Suede Bags

• Gentle chemicals and conditioners to maintain the color & fabric.
• Mink & Lanolin Oil Nourishment
• Spotless cleaning of laces, straps, insoles, and inner lining
• Disinfection with our German deodorizers

Following Restoration Services are also available:

• Sole pasting
• Inner sole replacement
• Damaged collar replacement
• Inner lining replacement
• Heel replacement
• Sole replacement
• Re coloring
• Laces replacement

Haute CouturE Dry CleaniNG

Want to restore the glory of your haute couture? Look no further than Tumbledry!

We have a separate team of processing experts who handle your most expensive silk, bridal & designer wear for dry cleaning. Each Haute Couture article is given a customized treatment in our state of the art dry cleaning facility.

Our team has more than a decade experience of dry cleaning most delicate and expensive silk sarees, including: Banarasi silk, Kanjivaram/Kanchipuram silk, Baluchari silk, Bomkai silk, Tussar silk, Chanderi silk, Dharmavaram silk, Banglori silk, Mysore silk, and Patola silk.

Be it Manish Malhotra, Tarun Tahiliani, Masaba Gupta, or Sabyasachi Mukherjee – we have got tons of experience dry cleaning fashion articles from most popular designer houses. We understand the nuances of the make and design, as well as the fabric structure used by these designer houses – and this enables us to give the perfect treatment to these haute couture articles