Open Forum

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

Unfortunately the route operators (folks who put washers in apartments) are the rich Uncles of the laundry business. They pay considerable upfront fees for apartment owners to sign long term contracts on the profitable locations. Average price was $100.00 per apartment paid upfront per apartment door in my days as a small route operator.

Route operators are skilled and knowledgeable owners with attorneys always available. Contracts are solid and often automatically renew. In the old days they had to buy their washers from distributors, but now they buy at factory direct prices and frequently prices lower than Laundromat distributors pay.

Problems you will face include:
1) Cost of the new equipment often demanded by the apartment owners before agreeing to a contract.
2) Upfront fees to pay to the apartment owners.
3) Immediate repair capability often demanded and provided by route operators.
4) Obtaining an insurance policy for protection against liability claims. Not a normal policy offered by many insurance carriers.
5) Vandalism and frequently damaged coin box housing as these isolated machines are attacked; more often than in your Laundromat.
6) More involved techniques used to gain free wash and dry. Remember, no remote cameras are normally installed.
7) Cancellation of your contract and a need to remove and store your washers.

At one time there were over 700 route operators in California (and numerous small ones) which is now reduced to 100 or less. The "Rich Uncles" have won this war for these locations.

------------------------------
Larry Larsen
Laundromat123.com
Anaheim, CA
Distributor - Insurance - Consulting
Cell: (714) 390-9969
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-04-2019 13:42
From: Joe C.
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

It's very time consuming running a rout. Let the appartment laundry's be. As stated they are usually run very poorly. How do you know they are your main competitors? Instead of spreading yourself out further with a rout invest the money on another location.

------------------------------
Denise Rubenstein
Laundermagic of Patchogue
Bayport NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-04-2019 13:42
From: Joe C.
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

Dan Faller of the Apartment Owners Association warns apartment owners about the laundry leases, as Larry very well described.  A lot of them are predatory, and the owners don't realize they are giving up 'ownership' of that part of their building and are often very hard to break the laundry leases as they automatically renew and have a lot of stipulations.

There's a lot of unknowns in that business too, that would take time to learn about.  For example, how many units and what type of unit mix do you need to make it a worthwhile to add to your route?  What about utilities?  Chances are the laundry room is not separately metered.

Right now, you have all of your machines in one place.  It's a much different dynamic when you have your machines spread out in terms of maintenance, repairs, and a much lower # of turns.

Another factor to consider​ is value.  Surprisingly, a lot of of people who live in apartments consider a laundromat to be MORE convenient than doing their laundry at their apartment.  Yes, they have to drive or walk their laundry over, but they can do all of their laundry at once and get it done and they have room to fold their clothes.

------------------------------
Matthew Simmons
Laundry Operator and
Wash & Fold Software Consultant
www.CurbsideLaundries.com
(562) 533-0053
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2019 11:44
From: Denise Rubenstein
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

It's very time consuming running a rout. Let the appartment laundry's be. As stated they are usually run very poorly. How do you know they are your main competitors? Instead of spreading yourself out further with a rout invest the money on another location.

------------------------------
Denise Rubenstein
Laundermagic of Patchogue
Bayport NY

Original Message:
Sent: 02-04-2019 13:42
From: Joe C.
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

It seems that statistics will show that fewer assaults occur in laundromats with a steady flow of business than within apartment house & trailer court laundy rooms.

------------------------------
Michael Walsh www.kingkoin.com
King Koin Laundry, Car n Dog Wash
Bismarck ND
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2019 13:02
From: Matthew Simmons
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route


Dan Faller of the Apartment Owners Association warns apartment owners about the laundry leases, as Larry very well described.  A lot of them are predatory, and the owners don't realize they are giving up 'ownership' of that part of their building and are often very hard to break the laundry leases as they automatically renew and have a lot of stipulations.

There's a lot of unknowns in that business too, that would take time to learn about.  For example, how many units and what type of unit mix do you need to make it a worthwhile to add to your route?  What about utilities?  Chances are the laundry room is not separately metered.

Right now, you have all of your machines in one place.  It's a much different dynamic when you have your machines spread out in terms of maintenance, repairs, and a much lower # of turns.

Another factor to consider​ is value.  Surprisingly, a lot of of people who live in apartments consider a laundromat to be MORE convenient than doing their laundry at their apartment.  Yes, they have to drive or walk their laundry over, but they can do all of their laundry at once and get it done and they have room to fold their clothes.

------------------------------
Matthew Simmons
Laundry Operator and
Wash & Fold Software Consultant
www.CurbsideLaundries.com
(562) 533-0053

Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2019 11:44
From: Denise Rubenstein
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

It's very time consuming running a rout. Let the appartment laundry's be. As stated they are usually run very poorly. How do you know they are your main competitors? Instead of spreading yourself out further with a rout invest the money on another location.

------------------------------
Denise Rubenstein
Laundermagic of Patchogue
Bayport NY

Original Message:
Sent: 02-04-2019 13:42
From: Joe C.
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

Here are some photos of apartment laundry rooms in my town.

------------------------------
ROY JACOBS
ROY JACOBS Person
Rolla MO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-04-2019 13:42
From: Joe C.
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

I do a apartment building with 20 units. Not a bad deal. It pays for my time and equipment. I just collect on my regular route. I have had a lot of calls for other locations but they are smaller number of units. Not interested unless they have 20 or more. One tip i have is they do better if the renters don't have to walk outside to get to them.

------------------------------
Chris Mirisciotta
Canon Coin Laundry
Canonsburg PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2019 17:37
From: ROY JACOBS
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route









Here are some photos of apartment laundry rooms in my town.

------------------------------
ROY JACOBS
ROY JACOBS Person
Rolla MO

Original Message:
Sent: 02-04-2019 13:42
From: Joe C.
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

Thank you Chris for sharing your route experience.

Based on the posts above, apartment routes are profitable.  I would expect the large apartment complexes to be serviced by the large route operators since they are even more profitable.

A 20 unit apartment may not be worth the effort for a large route operator.  I estimate $800 to $1,000 per month of revenue generated from a unit this size.  That's probably nothing for the big dogs but it's a big deal for me.  If I can get 10 of these apartments near my laundromat, then it's a really big deal for me.

Access to apartment laundry rooms allows me to market the services of my laundromat, for example wash & fold, and large machines for blankets.

Chris, what kind of agreement do you have with the landlord?  Contract, revenue sharing, cleaning?

Sincerely,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-06-2019 10:10
From: Chris Mirisciotta
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

I do a apartment building with 20 units. Not a bad deal. It pays for my time and equipment. I just collect on my regular route. I have had a lot of calls for other locations but they are smaller number of units. Not interested unless they have 20 or more. One tip i have is they do better if the renters don't have to walk outside to get to them.

------------------------------
Chris Mirisciotta
Canon Coin Laundry
Canonsburg PA

Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2019 17:37
From: ROY JACOBS
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route









Here are some photos of apartment laundry rooms in my town.

------------------------------
ROY JACOBS
ROY JACOBS Person
Rolla MO

Original Message:
Sent: 02-04-2019 13:42
From: Joe C.
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

Original Message------

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

Joe, I supply the machines and repairs for 50 percent of the take. I keep a liability policy.

------------------------------
Chris Mirisciotta
Canon Coin Laundry
Canonsburg PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2019 12:07
From: Robert Davis
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

As an owner of an apartment building, I understand the value of having a clean, onsite laundry room. I keep mine clean with ample machines not only for my tenants but for those in neighboring buildings. Due to the convenience, cleanliness and safe surroundings I keep them from having to travel to the neighborhood laundromat. This allows me to charge a bit more per cycle which increases profits. My machines are seldom idle.

I have been approached by many route owners and after comparing numbers, they walk away knowing that they can't compete.

RGDavis

Antelope Valley, CA

Original Message------

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------

​CLA Insurance does have a carrier that will insure route locations if anyone does have trouble finding coverage.

------------------------------
Jason Rehor
Account Executive
CLA Insurance
Rolling Meadows, IL
jrehor@associated.cc
847-427-3524
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2019 09:58
From: Chris Mirisciotta
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

Joe, I supply the machines and repairs for 50 percent of the take. I keep a liability policy.

------------------------------
Chris Mirisciotta
Canon Coin Laundry
Canonsburg PA

Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2019 12:07
From: Robert Davis
Subject: Apartment Laudromat Route

As an owner of an apartment building, I understand the value of having a clean, onsite laundry room. I keep mine clean with ample machines not only for my tenants but for those in neighboring buildings. Due to the convenience, cleanliness and safe surroundings I keep them from having to travel to the neighborhood laundromat. This allows me to charge a bit more per cycle which increases profits. My machines are seldom idle.

I have been approached by many route owners and after comparing numbers, they walk away knowing that they can't compete.

RGDavis

Antelope Valley, CA

Original Message------

My laundromat is surrounded by apartments.  They are my biggest competition, not the nearby laundromats.  Managing the laundry rooms in apartments seems like a logical growth strategy for my business.  I've run some number in my head and it appears to very profitable.

Are any of you guys managing the laundry rooms in nearby apartments?  If so, can you share your experiences? 

I talked to two friends who live in apartments.  One said that the landlord removed the laundry equipment from the laundry room so now everyone must visit a laundromat.  The other said that the laundry room was so filthy that he dreaded doing his laundry there. He did nevertheless.

If the above stories are typical, it seems like a successful laundromat owner who knows how to keep machines working and a laundry room clean would be able to expand his business.

Thank you,

------------------------------
Joe C.
Store Owner
Happy Bubbles Laundromat
North Hollywood, CA
www.BubblesCoin.com
------------------------------