Investing in the Laundry Industry

THE MARKET We think owning a self-service laundry has tremendous advantages to offer those interested in running and managing their own business. We’re glad you came to Aadvantage Laundry Systems to learn more about the coin operated laundry industry. Our business is to provide the basic need of refreshing laundry. According to most industry experts, there are some 34,000 self-service laundries in North America alone. These stores generate approximately $8 billion in retail sales and serve some 30 million people. THE CUSTOMER The bottom line is everyone does laundry. Each of us either uses our own washers and dryers or someone else’s. If you are a homeowner, you most likely have your own machines, although you may wash larger items in a self-service laundry. If you are a student, you most likely use the school’s machines or a self-service laundry. If you rent your home, sometimes you rent machines or use a self-service laundry. If you are away from home, traveling or on vacation, you will wish a self-service laundry is near. Self-service laundries cater to people needing to temporarily rent laundry equipment. They pay for the opportunity to use your washers and dryers because they don’t have access to other machines. The vend price customers pay compensates you for your rent, utilities, employees, other expenses and profit. Sometimes customers will use your laundry because you have available capacity. They may have access to one washer and one dryer, but you have many. By using all your high-performance machines, they can save time. Apartment renters may have access to equipment, but they might share it with many other tenants. Most would rather use your laundry than wait for available machines in the apartment building. THE OPPORTUNITY So, how do you maximize an investment in a self-service laundry? PICK A GOOD LOCATION.

• Close proximity to dense population.
• Easy ingress and egress.
• Safe and ample parking.
• Affordable rent or acquisition cost.

CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTOR.

• Use only reputable companies that are willing to share existing customer testimonials.
• Look for longevity in business and get to know your distributor.
• Listen to your distributor’s advice without taking installation shortcuts.
• Learn from your distributor’s mistakes to avoid your own.

USE MODERN EQUIPMENT

• Save water.
• Save electricity.
• Save gas.
• Reduce cycle times to maximize customer turnover.
• Reduce downtime to increase customer satisfaction.
• Increase capacity to win new customers.
• Offer payment options to make more money.

We believe to compete and excel in the self-service laundry business you need to make doing laundry as easy and fast as possible. Make it easy to find your store, to park and gain access to the machines (automatic doors). Provide a safe environment. Have your machines in working order, and simplify change making or use a card system. Place large-capacity washers near the front of the store and dryers along outside walls. Always provide laundry carts and spacious folding areas. The key to success is efficiently processing happy customers. THE ADVANTAGES The self-service laundry business provides many operational advantages to the small business owner. Historically, our industry has weathered weak economic times and grown steadily as the population increases. Washing and drying clothes is a basic function in life and a simple business. As a cash business, customers pay for their services upfront, and there are very few accounts receivable. While self-service laundries do require an initial capital investment, they do not require much labor to operate. The machines do the job — and never show up late for work. FOR MORE INFORMATION AAdvantage Laundry Systems, as an Authorized Dexter distributor has been involved in the launches of several successful self-service laundries. We invite you to contact us for more information about your local self-service laundry market.