7 Expert Tips for Running a Successful Laundromat Business (from Podcast Show 218 with Amanda Barkey)

Are you looking to buy a laundromat or elevate your current laundromat business? In Laundromat Resource Podcast Show 218, host Jordan Berry sits down with Amanda Barkey, an entrepreneur and expert in business operating systems, to break down actionable strategies that can truly transform your business. Whether you’re just starting out or running a multi-location operation, these tips—rooted in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) framework—offer practical steps you can start using today.

Here are the key takeaways, each with a detailed, real-world application for laundromat owners and buyers:

1. Clarify Your Business Vision with the “8 Questions” Framework

Tip: Start by answering eight foundational questions about your laundromat’s vision, including core values, core focus, long-term targets, marketing strategy, and 1-year/3-year/10-year goals.

Practical Application:
Download the free EOS Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO) tool. Take an afternoon to honestly answer questions like “What are our core values?” and “Where do we want our laundromat to be in 10 years?” Even if you only have one store (or haven’t bought yet), getting clear on WHO you want to serve, HOW you want to operate, and WHAT success looks like will guide your decisions. Review this vision with any partners or key employees and reference it before making big changes or purchases.

2. Build the Right Team: “Right People in the Right Seats”

Tip: Use tools like the People Analyzer and Accountability Chart to ensure every team member is aligned with your business’s core values and responsibilities are clear—even if your team is small.

Practical Application:
List every function in your laundromat—like cleaning, machine maintenance, customer service, or bookkeeping. Assign current employees (or yourself) to each. If you handle multiple functions, recognize what drains your energy and look for ways to delegate or outsource. If an employee isn’t a culture fit or is in the wrong role, address it sooner rather than later. Clear accountability reduces misunderstandings, improves morale, and helps the business scale.

3. Work ON Your Business, Not Just IN It

Tip: Regularly set aside time to step back from daily operations and strategize about your business’s future. This means evaluating systems, assessing goals, and identifying areas for growth or efficiency.

Practical Application:
Block a few hours each quarter for a “strategy session” (even if it’s just you). Use this time to review financials, customer feedback, industry trends, and your VTO. Ask yourself: What’s working? What’s broken or inefficient? What should we start or stop doing? If possible, join a mastermind group or community of other laundromat owners to gain perspective and ideas.

4. Systematize Your Operations for Consistency and Scalability

Tip: Implement repeatable systems for every critical process—such as opening/closing procedures, cash handling, and machine maintenance. Document these processes so anyone can follow them.

Practical Application:
Write step-by-step checklists for daily routines (for example, exactly how to clean the machines and reset alarms). Store these guides somewhere accessible—an employee binder or digital folder. Update as needed. As your business grows or you invest in a second location, you’ll save time training new staff and ensure a consistent customer experience.

5. Track the Right Data (and Use It!)

Tip: Make key business decisions based on real numbers, not just intuition. This could include tracking customer traffic, machine usage, revenue per square foot, or supply costs.

Practical Application:
Implement a POS system or a basic spreadsheet for tracking machine cycles, income, and expenses. Set simple KPIs (key performance indicators)—for example, average number of wash cycles per machine per day, or average utility cost per load. Review these weekly or monthly. If something’s off (like a dip in machine usage), investigate and address promptly.

6. Address Issues Honestly and Quickly

Tip: Catalog every frustration, roadblock, or recurring problem—big or small—and make it a habit to resolve issues as they arise.

Practical Application:
Set up an “issues list,” whether as a shared Google Doc with your team or a notebook you keep at the counter. Encourage employees (and yourself) to write down every problem: broken machines, awkward customer interactions, or supply shortages. Then, set aside regular time (weekly or monthly) to tackle these issues systematically. This prevents minor annoyances from snowballing into big problems.

7. Invest in Yourself and Find Community

Tip: Don’t run your laundry business in isolation. Join industry groups, attend workshops, and seek mentorship to accelerate growth—for both your business and personal development.

Practical Application:
Join online forums like Laundromat Resource, get involved in local business associations, or attend the next Laundromat Accelerator event. Consider joining or forming a mastermind group where you can safely share challenges and wins. These connections keep you motivated, offer new ideas, and provide accountability as you implement changes.

Ready to Transform Your Laundromat Business?

Whether you’re an aspiring owner or a seasoned operator, these expert tips will help you create a vision-driven, team-powered, and systematized business that scales. For free tools—including organizer templates and assessment checklists—visit EOS Worldwide’s tools page. Consider picking up the book Traction by Gino Wickman and connect with industry experts or EOS implementers like Amanda Barkey if you want hands-on help transforming your laundromat.

Need more guidance? Check out the full podcast episode or connect with Amanda Barkey for a complimentary 90-minute business strategy session.

Looking for more?

• Join us on November 21 – 24, 2025: Laundromat Accelerator Hawaii Event : https://laundromatresource.com/hawaii

Implement just a few of these tips, and you’ll see measurable improvements in your customer traffic, retention, and profits—whether you’re buying your first laundromat or running your twentieth!