Coin-operated Laundries
Industry Profile Report
Dive Deep into the industry with a 25+ page industry report (pdf format) including the following chapters
Industry Overview Current Conditions, Industry Structure, How Firms Operate, Industry Trends, Credit Underwriting & Risks, and Industry Forecast.
Call Preparation Call Prep Questions, Industry Terms, and Weblinks.
Financial Insights Working Capital, Capital Financing, Business Valuation, and Financial Benchmarks.
Industry Profile Excerpts
Industry Overview
The 9,600 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.
Industry size & Structure
The average coin-operated laundry operates out of a single location, employs about 4 workers, and generates about $560,000 annually.
- The coin-operated laundry industry consists of about 9,600 firms that employ about 40,000 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 41% 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.
Industry Forecast
Coin-operated Laundries Industry Growth
Recent Developments
Apr 11, 2025 - Faster Growth Forecast
- The US coin-operated laundries industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% between 2025 and 2029, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The expected growth rate is faster than the overall economy‘s anticipated growth. The report noted that consumer spending, along with expenditure by businesses, drives the other services sector. Consumer sentiment is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the various other services sector industries. Factors that may limit consumer spending are higher tariffs on consumer goods, which may be painful for households. On a positive note, lower inflation supports a moderate increase of real disposable income by about 2% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. Real income could suffer to an extent if average prices rise due to tariff implementation.
- In light of President Donald Trump’s recent tariff expansion, a new Reuters report examined the consequences of previous tariffs on imported washing machines in 2018 by the Trump administration, promoted as necessary to protect domestic producers and jobs. As a result of the 2018 tariffs, several foreign manufacturers did rebase some of their production to the US, and domestic manufacturers like Whirlpool boosted employment slightly. A study by the American Economic Review estimated that the tariffs may have brought in 1,800 US jobs. The value of imported laundry equipment also fell during the prior tariff period. In addition to the prices of foreign laundry equipment increasing, ripple effects from tariffs caused domestic producers to raise their prices on washers and set higher prices for dryers which are often sold in a set with washers.
- Over 70% of self-service laundry businesses performed much or somewhat better in 2024 compared to a year ago, according to an American Co-Op Your Views Survey. About 24% of respondents said 2024’s performance was about the same as 2023. About 52% of those offering wash/dry/fold services said their business was “somewhat better” in 2024, 14% said it was the same, and nearly 5% said it was somewhat/much worse. Factors contributing to better performance in self-service or wash-dry-fold businesses in 2024 were higher prices (63%), installation of new/additional equipment (47%), a larger customer base (31%), and better marketing (26%). When asked about 2025, 57% of respondents plan to increase vend prices, 57% plan to spruce up the store, 52% plan to do more marketing, 33% plan to add new washers and/or dryers, 28% plan to add other equipment (water heater, payment system, changer), and 14% plan to hire additional workers.
- Laundry services, included in the “Other Services” category, is one of the 14 services industries reporting growth in February’s Services ISM Report on Business. Executives in the Other Services industry reported increases in business activity, new services, and employment, while reporting decreased inventories, lower order backlogs, and higher prices paid for materials and services. Other industries reporting growth during the period included Finance & Insurance; Wholesale Trade; Utilities; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Mining; Real Estate, and Rental & Leasing. The three services industries reporting contraction during the period were Management of Companies & Support Services; Retail Trade; and Educational Services. Overall, economic activity in the services sector expanded in February, with the Services PMI registering 53.5%.
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