7 Expert Tips to Grow Your Laundromat Business: Lessons from Podcast Show 238

Are you considering buying a laundromat or looking to take your current laundry business to the next level? Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned owner, you’ll find gold in Laundromat Resource Podcast Show 238. Host Jordan Berry interviews Randy Roberts, a laundry entrepreneur who’s built a booming pickup and delivery business—even in markets where others said it wouldn’t work!

We’ve distilled the main lessons from the episode into actionable tips, with practical examples to help you implement them in your own business.

1. Prioritize Being Found: Invest in SEO and Online Visibility

Key Insight:
Jordan Berry and Randy Roberts stress that no matter how great your website looks, it only matters if customers can find you. Being at the top of local search results for laundromat, wash and fold, and pickup and delivery services is essential for capturing new business.

How to Apply:

• Optimize your website for keywords like “laundromats near me,” “laundry pickup and delivery [Your City],” and “commercial laundry services.”

• List your business on Google Business Profile, Yelp, and other directories.

• Regularly update your website with helpful blog posts (like this one!), FAQs, and customer testimonials.

• Track your website’s search performance and adjust your strategy to climb the rankings.

Example:
Don’t just build a flashy website; make sure you’re showing up when potential residential or commercial customers search for laundry services in your area.

2. Build Your Business on Relationships—Not Just Price

Key Insight:
Trying to win on price alone is a race to the bottom. Randy Roberts advises focusing on building “know, like, and trust” with customers by solving real problems and offering tailored solutions.

How to Apply:

• Meet with potential customers, especially commercial clients, to deeply understand their specific pain points.

• Offer solutions that make their operations easier—for example, centralized linen pickup spots for Airbnbs, or streamlined invoicing for commercial accounts.

• Deliver consistent, high-quality service and follow through on your commitments.

• Focus on long-term relationships instead of short-term discounts.

Example:
If you’re pitching to a hotel, highlight how you’ll manage stained items, provide timely pickups, or relieve staff from sorting and storage hassles. Don’t just offer a low price—offer peace of mind.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Fire Unprofitable or Difficult Clients

Key Insight:
Not all business is good business. Randy Roberts learned to say “no” to clients who caused headaches or weren’t in the ideal service zone—even if it meant less revenue in the short term.

How to Apply:

• Analyze your client list and identify accounts that are low-profit or high-headache.

• Set clear service boundaries and minimum billing amounts to ensure every client is worthwhile.

• If a customer consistently costs you time and money, have the courage to communicate, adjust terms, or part ways.

• Use freed-up resources to focus on finding and serving better-fit clients.

Example:
Don’t stretch your team thin driving far out of your area for a single bag of laundry. Focus on high-value, repeat clients instead.

4. Continuously Improve Your Operations for Efficiency and Scale

Key Insight:
The laundry business is an efficiency game. Technology, automation, and workflow improvements are keys to growing without burning out.

How to Apply:

• Track your workflow step by step—identify bottlenecks in folding, sorting, or storage.

• Consider introducing automation (e.g., commercial folding machines) once you reach certain volume thresholds.

• Continually reorganize your workspace to minimize wasted steps and maximize productivity.

• Invest in staff training and incentive programs to keep productivity high as you scale.

Example:
After landing a 20,000-pound commercial job, Randy Roberts invested in a Foltex folding machine, boosting throughput without simply adding more labor and chaos. Start small, then automate as volume increases.

5. Leverage Mentorship and Industry Connections

Key Insight:
Lone-wolf mentalities limit success. Randy Roberts credits much of his growth to learning from others—mentors, peers, and industry groups.

How to Apply:

• Join local or national laundromat owner groups, online communities, or mastermind sessions.

• Find a mentor who’s a few steps ahead in growth or specializes in a service you want to expand.

• Don’t hesitate to call, visit, or even “pester” top local owners and suppliers for insights.

• Attend industry events and conferences to meet the people shaping best practices.

Example:
Regularly connect with other owners who’ve navigated challenges you are facing now—such as scaling up commercial accounts or integrating new systems.

6. Be Proactive: Go Out and Find Your Best Clients

Key Insight:
Don’t wait for all your customers to find you online—especially for commercial accounts. Randy Roberts regularly visits hotels, spas, and property managers to introduce his services and follow up, even when he’s turned down at first.

How to Apply:

• Identify target commercial clients in your local market and schedule regular in-person drop-ins.

• Offer pilots or sample services (at discounted rates, not free) to showcase your quality.

• Bring ideas for operational wins, not just a sales pitch (“Let’s centralize your linens to save cleaners’ time”).

• Follow up consistently, as contract changes or pain points may open doors down the line.

Example:
Quarterly, stop by properties or businesses you’d love as clients—even if you’ve been turned down. Circumstances change, and your persistence can pay off.

7. Know That Growth Takes Effort—There’s No “Passive” Success

Key Insight:
There is nothing passive about building a successful, scalable laundromat business—especially on the service side. Stewardship, hands-on problem-solving, and action are core to winning.

How to Apply:

• Be willing to be hands-on, especially during the startup and growth phases.

• Build processes (and eventually, teams) to standardize customer experience, quality, and efficiency.

• Accept that “passive income” comes much later and only after a lot of action, learning, and system-building.

Example:
You can’t “set it and forget it” if you’re offering high-quality pickup and delivery. Work hard now, so you can systemize later.

Ready to take action?

Pick one of these tips and implement it in your business this week. Success comes from small improvements stacked over time—so don’t just consume advice, put it to work!

If you’re looking to dive deeper or connect with like-minded laundromat professionals, explore mastermind groups, and utilize free resources tailored to your journey. And don’t forget to listen to the full episode of Podcast Show 238 for even more wisdom straight from the front lines!