The laundromat business continues to evolve, customer expectations are changing, new service models are emerging and competition can come from unexpected places.
If you’ve owned your store for a while, it’s easy to focus on day-to-day operations and overlook opportunities for improvement. However, small changes in your facility, equipment mix, customer experience and marketing efforts can have a significant impact on revenue and customer retention.
If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your business, start by evaluating these five key areas:
1. See Your Store Through the Customer’s Eyes
When you walk into your laundromat every day, you may not notice things that stand out to customers. Take a step back and evaluate as if you were visiting for the first time. Ask yourself:
- Is the exterior clean and inviting?
- Is your signage easy to see from the road?
- Are operating hours clearly displayed?
- Does the store feel modern and well-maintained?
- Is the waiting area comfortable?
One area that is often overlooked is signage. Neighborhoods, traffic patterns and surrounding businesses can change dramatically over time. If your signage hasn’t been updated in years, it may not be working as hard as it should. In fact, research suggests updated signage can increase sales by as much as 10%.1
It’s also worth evaluating the businesses around your store. If you are in a shopping center and an anchor tenant has left, customer traffic may change significantly. Some lease agreements may include provisions related to reduced traffic or occupancy levels.
2. Look Beyond Self-Service Laundry
Today’s consumers place a premium on convenience. While self-service laundry remains the core of many successful operations, additional amenities can create new revenue opportunities and help differentiate your business.
According to industry survey data, wash-dry-fold services with pickup and delivery are now twice as common among laundromats compared to just a few years ago.2 Services worth evaluating include:
- Wash-dry-fold
- Pickup and delivery
- Recurring laundry subscriptions
- Commercial laundry accounts
- Same-day service
- Express turnaround options
Not every service will make sense for every market. However, understanding what customers in your area value most can help identify opportunities for growth. Many are willing to pay more for things that save time. Expanding convenience-focused offerings can increase revenue while strengthening customer loyalty.
3. Make Sure Your Equipment Matches Customer Demand
Your equipment is one of the largest investments in your business. Unfortunately, many laundromat owners only focus on repairs when evaluating machine performance. A better approach is to regularly review utilization and performance data. Track metrics such as:
- Machine downtime
- Repair frequency
- Maintenance costs
- Revenue by machine type
- Peak usage periods
- Customer wait times
Pay particular attention to machine utilization patterns. For example:
- Are large-capacity washers consistently occupied?
- Do smaller machines sit empty?
- Are customers waiting for specific machine sizes?
- Do certain units require frequent service calls?
These trends can reveal whether your equipment mix still reflects customer demand. Today, many customers prefer larger-capacity machines that allow them to complete laundry in fewer loads. Having a range of machine sizes can help improve efficiency, reduce bottlenecks and maximize revenue potential.
Every machine should be contributing to the profitability of your operation. If it isn’t, it may be time to reconsider its role in your store.
4. Create an Experience that Makes Customers Want to Return
Customers no longer choose laundromats based solely on machine availability. The overall experience matters. People often spend an hour or more in your store during each visit. The more comfortable and convenient that experience is, the more likely they are to return.
Industry data shows approximately 30% of laundromats now offer additional amenities3 such as:
- Book nooks
- Vending machines
- Arcade games
Other popular amenities include:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Comfortable seating
- Charging stations
- Televisions
- Children’s play areas
- Laundry carts
- Folding tables
- Beverage options
You don’t need to offer every amenity available. Instead, focus on features that align with the needs of your customer base.
For example:
- Family-focused locations may benefit from kid-friendly spaces.
- Urban locations may prioritize charging stations and Wi-Fi.
- Stores serving working professionals may benefit from pickup and delivery services.
The goal is simple: make your laundromat a place customers won’t mind spending time in.
5. Strengthen Your Store’s Online Presence
Many laundromat owners underestimate how often potential customers search online before deciding where to do laundry. If customers can’t easily find your business online, they may never visit your store. Start by reviewing your digital presence.
Make sure you have:
- A claimed Google Business Profile
- Accurate business hours
- Updated contact information
- Current photos of your facility
- Customer reviews
- Active Facebook and Yelp listings
A Google Business Profile is often the first thing customers see when searching for a laundromat. Keeping that information current can improve visibility and increase customer confidence. Research indicates that 56% of local businesses have not claimed their Google Business Profile, potentially missing valuable local search traffic.4
Your website also deserves regular attention. Check that:
- Hours are accurate
- Pricing information is current
- Contact details are correct
- Photos reflect your facility today
- Mobile users can easily navigate the site
Social media can also play an important role in attracting new customers. According to marketing research, 93% of marketers report increased business traffic from effective social media marketing.5 Simple posts can help keep your business visible, including:
- Store updates
- Promotions
- Customer testimonials
- Community involvement
- New equipment installations
- Seasonal specials
Consistency is more important than volume. Even modest efforts can help build awareness and engagement.
Small Improvements that can Lead to Big Results
You don’t need a complete business overhaul to remain competitive. Often, the most effective improvements come from regularly evaluating your operation and making strategic adjustments over time.
Start by asking:
- Is my store still making a strong first impression?
- Am I offering the services customers want?
- Does my equipment mix match demand?
- Is the customer experience helping drive loyalty?
- Can customers easily find me online?
The laundromat industry will continue to evolve, but operators who proactively evaluate their business and adapt to changing customer expectations are often best positioned for long-term success.
A few thoughtful improvements today could help attract new customers, improve retention and strengthen profitability for years to come.
Sources
- Husky Signs. “How to Get More Revenue in 2024.” Available at: https://huskysigns.com/blogs/husky-blogs/how-to-get-more-revenue-in-2024
- Coin Laundry Association (CLA) Laundry Survey, 2022 and 2024.
- Coin Laundry Association (CLA) Laundry Survey, 2022 and 2024.
- Safari Digital. “Local SEO Statistics.” Available at: https://www.safaridigital.com.au/blog/local-seo-statistics/
- Synup. “Social Media Marketing Statistics.” Available at: https://www.synup.com/en/social-media-marketing-statistics
