Owning a laundromat can be a great way to have a steady stream of income and provide a service that you know will always be needed. However, you might find that the market for laundromats in your area becomes saturated. It could also be the case that local residents are traveling out of the area to find a different laundromat service. To keep your business in expansion mode, you need to do whatever you can to attract locals and brand yourself as the best laundromat location in the area. If you are looking for ways to make your laundromat business stand out from the rest, consider the following unique laundromat ideas.
Unique Laundromat Ideas
Offer an Online Account
Let’s start with a practical idea. If you are in an area with younger residents, they may be less likely to carry cash or coins on them. You can make your service more convenient by allowing them to set up an online account and add money to it whenever they would like. This means that customers will not have to scrounge around for change, and you will have to carry less cash on your premises, which puts you at a lower risk for robberies.
Offer Food & Drinks
Many people abhor the time they spend at the laundromat, simply waiting and watching the clothes spin in the dryer. To make their visits more pleasant, you could offer foods and drinks. Some laundromats fully embrace this idea, offering a full café menu with a chef and a barista. Others only dip their toe in, perhaps purchasing an espresso machine and a vending machine. A laundromat-café is undoubtedly more interesting to visit than a run-of-the-mill laundromat. Be sure to offer WIFI and plenty of seating so that your guests can enjoy their food in peace.
Create a Mini Library
If you have some empty wall space, install shelves and create a little library. Stock it with a variety of books and magazines, including children’s books for your youngest patrons. You could also add comfy armchairs, so your guests can cozy up with a good book while waiting for their clothes to dry.
Implementing unique laundromat ideas can help you stomp out the competition. We hope these ideas have gotten the ball rolling on your creativity. If not, check out the following suggestions:
- Combine your laundromat with a bar
- Install a full section of arcade games
- Schedule live music performances
- Partner with a gym so that patrons can exercise between loads
- Set up bar games (bocce, washers, pool)
In addition, encourage people to visit your laundromat with friends. By offering some of the ideas above, you can transform the atmosphere of your business from boring necessity to fun hangout destination. A laundromat can be so much more than a laundromat if you let it.
If you’re interested in opening a laundromat, be sure to check out Laundry Solutions Company, a full-service provider of premium vended, on-premises, and multi-housing commercial laundry equipment. Since 1976, we have been providing exceptional sales support, laundry design services, commercial laundry equipment (and leasing options), and laundry equipment service and parts. To learn more about our products and services, please give us a call at 800-383-9274 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!