Coin-operated Laundries NAICS 812310

May 21, 2026 - Tide Growth Signals Industry Consolidation

• Tide Services continued expanding aggressively in the US coin-operated laundry industry during 2025, signaling ongoing consolidation and franchise growth across the laundromat sector, according to an American Coin-Op report. The company announced a 50-unit Tide Laundromat development agreement across Texas and New Mexico and expanded its footprint through acquisitions, conversions, and multi-unit franchise deals. Tide also grew its broader laundry portfolio through agreements tied to 75 total Tide-branded laundromat and drycleaning locations in New York City. The strategy reflects increasing investment in scaled, branded laundry operations as operators seek stability in an essential-service industry amid rising labor and operating costs. Tide emphasized modernization, digital platform expansion, and franchise support as key growth priorities. For the coin-operated laundry industry, the activity suggests larger franchise-backed operators are continuing to gain market share through acquisitions and expansion while independent operators face growing competitive pressure from national brands.
• The “Other Services” category, which includes laundry, pet care, personal care, and repair services, was one of the strongest-performing segments in the April 2026 ISM Services PMI report, outperforming much of the broader US services industry. While the overall Services PMI registered 53.6%, indicating continued but slowing expansion across the services economy, “Other Services” ranked first among all industries reporting growth and also led growth in new orders. The category also reported increases in business activity, employment, inventories, and supplier delivery delays, signaling stronger operational momentum than many other service industries. However, the sector still faced elevated cost pressures alongside the broader services economy, as the ISM Prices Index remained high at 70.7%. Overall, the data suggests consumer demand for everyday personal and household services remained resilient despite inflation and broader economic uncertainty.

• According to a recent American Co-op report, the US coin-operated laundry industry remains resilient, with over 70% of operators reporting improved business in the past year despite inflation and labor pressures. Investment activity is strong, as 61% of owners purchased equipment in 2025, signaling ongoing modernization. Pricing power remains a key lever, with 60.3% raising or planning to raise washer prices. Looking ahead, 51% expect better performance in 2026, though rising costs and customer financial strain may limit growth. For operators, the outlook reflects steady demand and expansion opportunities, but margin pressure from utilities, repairs, and shifting customer behavior underscores the need for strategic pricing and operational efficiency.
• The cost of laundry and dry cleaning services rose 6.9% in April 2026 compared to a year ago, according to the Consumer Price Index released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment for coin-operated and dry cleaners services were up 11.8% in March 2026 compared to a year ago. In the past decade, employment by coin-operated laundries and drycleaners rose 24.6% over the past decade, faster than the 11.3% growth in overall private employment. Average wages for nonsupervisory employees were up 6.4% year over year in March, reaching $21.46 per hour.