9 Essential Tips from Podcast Show 209: How to Grow, Remodel, and Succeed in the Laundromat Business
Are you thinking about buying a laundromat or looking for expert strategies to scale your existing operation? In this episode of the Laundromat Resource Podcast, Ben Higginbotham (multi-store owner) and host Jordan Berry talk shop about turning around “zombie” laundromats, profitable remodeling, and practical business wisdom that applies to every laundromat owner. Here are the top actionable takeaways—each with a practical application to help you succeed.
1. Invest in Full Remodels When Needed
Tip: If you acquire a rundown (“zombie”) laundromat, seriously consider a full shutdown and complete remodel—especially when the equipment and infrastructure are outdated.
How to Apply:
Assess your machines’ functionality. If less than 20% work, partial fixes may not be worth it.
Plan for a full shutdown for 1-3 months rather than attempting a slow, “rolling” remodel.
Complete infrastructure upgrades (water, drainage, electric) during the closure.
Relaunch with new machines, new layout, fresh look, and a marketing plan to relaunch big.
Why it works: A complete overhaul lets you reopen as a “new” business, commanding higher prices from day one and attracting a surge of customers who value a clean, reliable, modern laundromat.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Redesign Your Store Layout
Tip: Rethink traditional laundromat layouts for safety, efficiency, and customer experience.
How to Apply:
Analyze your demographic: Do you serve families? Students? Seniors?
Consider open sight-lines from the entrance to the back of your store, which makes the space feel safer and more inviting.
Remove unnecessary walls and create wide aisles to accommodate large laundry loads and strollers.
Move and consolidate dryers and washers for maximum visibility, updating your equipment mix to match the needs of your optimal customer.
Why it works: A modern, well-thought-out layout improves safety perceptions, encourages frequent visits, and increases customer satisfaction.
3. Match Your Equipment Mix to Your Market
Tip: The “standard” mix of washer sizes doesn’t work everywhere. Customize your equipment based on proven customer behavior.
How to Apply:
Review your current usage (if available) or research local preferences. Are customers mostly families doing large loads? College kids washing infrequently?
Don’t be afraid to forgo small machines (like 20lb washers) if your demographic consistently uses larger machines.
Start with high-demand sizes (30lb, 40lb, 60lb, 80lb) and reserve floor space for future adjustments if needed.
Why it works: Matching equipment to local demand maximizes turns on your most profitable machines, increases revenue per square foot, and differentiates you from outdated competitors.
4. Shut Down and Retool vs. Rolling Remodel
Tip: If your laundromat is in truly poor condition, a temporary shutdown and full retool is often more profitable long-term than slowly upgrading in phases.
How to Apply:
Weigh the financial cost of closing versus the projected jump in post-remodel revenue.
Plan finances to withstand several months of zero income from that location if necessary.
Use reopening as a grand marketing event (“New Owner! Brand New Machines!”).
Why it works: A total overhaul delivers immediate, visible value that attracts new customers and supports premium pricing, versus incremental, unnoticed improvements.
5. Plan Your Equipment Orders and Layouts in Advance
Tip: Don’t make major equipment or design decisions on the fly—thorough planning prevents expensive mistakes.
How to Apply:
Work with your equipment distributor to confirm machine dimensions fit through doors and into your chosen layout.
Get professional layouts drawn to scale before ordering equipment.
Consider future expansion or machine mix adjustments in your planning.
Why it works: Avoiding last-minute changes saves you from wasteful spending and ensures the remodel meets your business goals.
6. Optimize Drainage and Maintenance with Trough Systems
Tip: Install drain trough systems for your washers to minimize clogs and maintenance headaches.
How to Apply:
Order custom troughs with a sloped bottom and efficient drainage to catch lint, debris, and lost items before they reach your main plumbing.
Regularly clean your troughs to prevent odors and backups.
Place the drain at the lowest point of the trough rather than the side to avoid standing water.
Why it works: Troughs reduce plumbing emergencies, allow easier maintenance, and keep your store clean and odor-free.
7. Track Revenue Per Washer (Not Just Turns Per Day)
Tip: Measure your laundromat’s performance by calculating average gross revenue per washer per month. Turns per day are helpful—but revenue and profit margins matter more.
How to Apply:
Use POS or machine data to track monthly income from washers.
Calculate: Total monthly washer revenue ÷ Number of washers = Revenue per washer per month.
Benchmark against $1,000/month per washer as an initial target.
Why it works: This metric accounts for machine size, customer mix, and pricing differences, giving you a realistic measure of store health and growth potential.
8. Understand Landlord Incentives and Leases
Tip: Negotiating favorable leases with tenant improvement (TI) allowances can make a “free” or closed laundromat location viable.
How to Apply:
Propose long-term leases (10 years plus options) for stability and negotiation power.
Ask the landlord for TI money or to cover specific infrastructure upgrades (like floor removal, plumbing rough-in, etc).
Structure rent abatement or tiered rent increases to give you financial breathing room during the buildout and ramp-up phase.
Why it works: A strategic lease agreement can offset tens of thousands in buildout costs and lower your risk when opening or reviving a location.
9. Treat “Free Laundromats” with Caution—They’re Not Really Free
Tip: Don’t fall for the myth of a truly free laundromat. Rehabbing closed or abandoned locations takes significant capital and know-how.
How to Apply:
Do thorough demographic and competition research before signing any lease for a shuttered laundromat.
Budget realistically — Ben’s “free” laundromat still required $150,000+ (above equipment), and substantial time and effort.
Have a clear business plan for why your remodel or service will succeed where the previous owner failed.
Why it works: closed laundromats usually failed for good reason; without a strategic plan and capital, jumping in blindly is the riskiest move you can make.
Final Thought: Surround Yourself with Strong Networks
Both Ben and Jordan are big on joining mastermind groups and networks—both inside and outside the laundromat industry. The accountability, peer learning, and exposure to new ideas can be the edge that moves your business from stagnant to thriving.
Ready to take the leap or improve your current laundromat? Pick one tip from above and put it into action this week! Consistent improvements will stack up to big results—and may just land you on the next episode’s success story.
For more insights and inspiration, listen to the full Podcast Show 209 of Laundromat Resource. Have a question or want help with your laundromat journey? Reach out to our community!
