Coin-Operated Laundry
Quarters add up faster than you think
Coin-operated laundromats are self-service facilities where customers wash and dry clothes using commercial machines. They operate with minimal staff, often unattended, and generate steady cash flow in densely populated areas. Modern card/app payment systems are replacing quarters but the model remains the same.
Avg Revenue
$250K
Profit Margin
30%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 4x
Startup Cost
$100K - $500K
Difficulty
3/5
How It Works
Customers load machines with coins, cards, or app payments. Washers run 30-45 minute cycles, dryers 30-60 minutes. Revenue is purely transactional — more loads = more income. Adding wash-dry-fold services and pickup/delivery can significantly increase revenue per location.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 812310 · Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | TX | $250K | $294K | 6 | WaveMAX Laundry |
| Dec 2025 | NY | $1.1M | $1.3M | 4 | — |
| Dec 2025 | MA | $900K | $1.1M | 8 | — |
| Dec 2025 | IL | $500K | $588K | 8 | — |
| Nov 2025 | AZ | $1.1M | $1.3M | 7 | WaveMAX Laundry |
| Nov 2025 | TX | $516K | $607K | 3 | — |
| Nov 2025 | OR | $580K | $682K | 2 | — |
| Sep 2025 | PA | $545K | $641K | 6 | — |
| Sep 2025 | IL | $249K | $293K | 6 | — |
| Sep 2025 | VA | $3.1M | $3.7M | 4 | FRSTeam |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Cash-based business with immediate revenue collection
- +Minimal labor — most laundromats run semi-unattended
- +Recession-resistant — everyone needs clean clothes
- +Add-on services (wash-fold, delivery) increase revenue
Cons
- -Utility costs (water, gas, electric) are significant
- -Equipment replacement is expensive ($3K-$8K per machine)
- -Location dependent — needs dense residential area
Best For
Semi-absentee owners who want a cash-flow machine in urban areas
Operating Costs
Major costs are utilities (water, gas, electricity), lease, equipment maintenance and replacement, insurance, and an attendant for busy hours. Utility costs can be 25-35% of revenue.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find laundromats and laundry businesses for sale
Industry resource for laundromat acquisitions
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- physical
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Buy price
- $500K–$1.0M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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