Coin-operated Laundries

The 9,650 Coin-operated laundries in the US operate facilities with coin-operated or similar self-service laundry and dry cleaning equipment or supply and service equipment in other locations, such as apartments and dormitories. Some operators offer drop-off laundry services and some facilities offer a snack bar, coffee shop, or Wi-Fi access to occupy customers as they wait. Coin-operated laundries are also known as coin-op laundries, self-service laundries, and laundromats.

Dependence on the Rental Market

The coin-operated laundry business is highly dependent on the apartment rental market and occupancy rates.

Capital-Intensive Operations

The coin-operated laundry business is capital intensive and requires firms to regularly invest to maintain and replace equipment and implement new technology.

Aug 17, 2026 - Renter Mobility Hits New Low in 2026

• Declining renter mobility could provide a more stable customer base for US coin-operated laundries, particularly in renter-heavy neighborhoods, according to recent New York Fed survey data reported by Yahoo Finance. Only 37% of renters expected to move within three years in early 2026, down from 57% in 2014, as high housing costs and mortgage barriers keep more households in rental housing longer. For laundromats, longer renter tenures can support steadier repeat traffic and more predictable local demand, especially where apartments lack in-unit laundry. At the same time, affordability pressures that are keeping renters from moving or buying homes may make customers more price-sensitive, limiting operators’ ability to raise vend prices. Overall, lower mobility should favor established laundromats with strong neighborhood locations, while making customer retention, convenience, and value increasingly important drivers of revenue.
• The cost of laundry and dry cleaning services rose 5.3% in July 2026 compared to a year ago and increased 0.4% month over month, according to the Consumer Price Index released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment for coin-operated and dry cleaners services were up 7.7% in May 2026 compared to a year ago. In the past decade, employment by coin-operated laundries and drycleaners rose 24% over the past decade, faster than the 11% growth in overall private employment. Average wages for nonsupervisory employees were up 4.6% year over year in May, reaching $21.11 per hour.
• Convenience and cleanliness remain the top priorities for laundromat customers, with 35.1% of operators citing convenience and 32.4% citing cleanliness as the most important customer expectations, according to an American Coin-Op survey. Those expectations are driving investment across the US coin-operated laundromat industry, as 55.6% of operators report growing demand for cleaner stores and 76.5% say customers now expect mobile payment options. Meeting these expectations requires significant capital, with 62.2% identifying equipment upgrades as their largest investment. Despite the added costs, operators remain optimistic: 47.2% see rising customer expectations as a major business opportunity and 50% consider them manageable. The findings suggest laundromats that invest in clean facilities, modern equipment, convenient payment options, and strong customer service will be best positioned to compete and retain customers.
• The US coin-operated laundromat industry is attracting investor interest as institutional capital targets the sector's stable demand, predictable cash flow, and recession-resistant business model, according to a Commercial Observer report. The sector is attracting capital due to its predictable cash flow, long-term lease structures, and essential-service status. Industry consolidation is expected to accelerate, as roughly 80% of laundromats remain independently owned single-location businesses. For operators, growing investor interest may increase competition for acquisitions and prime locations, while creating opportunities for modernization, technology adoption, and operational efficiencies. For landlords, professionally managed laundromat operators offer stable, long-term tenancy and stronger financial backing. The trend signals a shift toward greater professionalization of the industry, similar to the evolution previously seen in self-storage, car washes, and convenience retail.

Industry size & Structure

The average coin-operated laundry operates out of a single location, employs about 4 workers, and generates about $564,000 annually.

• The coin-operated laundry industry consists of about 9,650 firms that employ about 39,200 workers and generate about $5.4 billion annually.
• The industry is concentrated at the top and fragmented at the bottom; the top 50 companies account for about 42% of industry revenue.
• Large firms, such as CSC ServiceWorks and Wash Multi-Family Laundry Systems, typically operate coin laundries in multi-unit housing settings, such as apartment complexes and dormitories.