Coin-Op Laundry Route
Quarters that roll in while you sleep
A coin-op laundry route is a collection of standalone washer/dryer machines placed inside apartment buildings, small hotels, or dorms under revenue-sharing agreements with property owners. Operators own the machines, collect the coins (or contactless payments), and pay the landlord a percentage. Routes typically generate $80–$200/machine/month with minimal owner involvement after setup.
Avg Revenue
$140K
Profit Margin
55%
Acquisition Multiple
1.5x - 2.5x
Startup Cost
$15K - $80K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
You place washers and dryers in multi-unit residential buildings or small hotels. Residents pay per cycle ($2–$4.50/wash, $1.50–$3/dry). You collect cash weekly or monthly, split 15–25% with the building owner, and maintain the machines. Modern operators add credit card readers and app-based payment to boost revenue 20–30%.
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
- +True passive income — machines run 24/7 without you
- +Low skill barrier to entry; no license required in most states
- +High margin once machines are paid off (50–60% net)
- +Contactless payment upgrades dramatically increase revenue
Cons
- -Machine maintenance costs can spike unpredictably
- -Building owners can cancel agreements or switch providers
- -Cash theft is a real risk without modern payment upgrades
Best For
First-time operators who want truly passive income without real estate
Operating Costs
Main costs are machine repair/parts, route driver time (2–4 hrs/week per 20 machines), and the revenue share to building owners (15–25% of gross).
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
Search laundromat and coin-op route listings nationwide
Industry association with broker referrals and deal resources
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
- route
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $210K–$350K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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