Tips on Opening a Laundromat Business
People will always need clean clothes, and not everyone owns a washing machine and dryer. Laundromat businesses provide a clean, safe place for customers to wash and dry clothing, purchase laundry detergent and fabric softener and relax while their laundry finishes up. As with any business, laundromats have a better chance of succeeding when owners research the industry before committing time and money to opening. Researching tips on opening a laundromat business will better prepare you for a lasting and profitable enterprise.
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Products
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Many laundromat businesses have vending machines that sell laundry detergent, fabric softener and static-reducing fabric sheets. Track which products sell out faster to get a sense of customer preference. Lower-income neighborhoods may prefer generic brands at lower prices. Laundromat businesses in trendy urban settings may prefer pricier brand-name laundry products. Include fragrance-free, earth-friendly and heavy-duty options to better satisfy a range of customer needs. If you later decide to outsource vending machine operations, pass on observations to the contractor so there's not a sudden switch in inventory offerings.
Laundry Needs
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Maintain a fleet of washing machines and dryers that accommodate differing customer needs, including oversize machines capable of handling large blankets, rugs or sleeping bags. Customers will appreciate clean areas for folding clothes and hang-drying delicates. Make sure metal laundry carts haven't rusted, since this can cause rust stains on customers' clothing.
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Signage
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Because laundromats tends to have a small employee presence, it's especially important to post simple, easy-to-read instructions for operating washing machines or handling thumping machines that have been overloaded, which can lead to possible damage for both the washing machine and clothing inside. Post rules stipulating that customers may not wash oily, muddy or gasoline-soaked laundry, and signs requesting that individuals who are not customers refrain from using coin-changer machines. You'll also want to include the laundromat's policy for damaged, lost or stolen clothing. Customers should be aware that you're not liable for clothing stolen from laundry machines, although you can take precautions by having at least one employee on site for tidying up, keeping an eye out for suspicious behavior or handling broken machines.
Upsells
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Laundromat businesses offer plenty of opportunities to upsell to interested customers. Consider adding wash-dry-fold services, drycleaning or commercial laundry services (for example, washing restaurant tablecloths or beauty salon smocks.) Basic mending service is another possibility; outsource this option if you don't want to hire additional staff. You can also upsell by selling items unrelated to laundry services, including sodas, snacks, coffee or magazines. Some laundromat businesses significantly expand by offering unrelated services desired by the customer demographic, including tanning, manicures or shoe shines. This can be expensive because of the added licensing, staff and inventory costs but can help transform your laundromat business into a destination where customers spend more money, rather than just popping quarters into a machine.
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References
- Photo Credit Laundry Soap image by Tabitha Little from Fotolia.com
