Chuck Hinkel
Laundry Depot
Waterloo, N.Y.
Before Getting into the Laundry Business…
For 20 years, Hinkel was the public relations director for the Rochester Red Wings, a Minor League Baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
Store Opening
Hinkel purchased Laundry Depot in May 2016.
Business Hours
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily
Staff
One full-time employee and one part-time attendant
Employee Retention Strategies
“We’ve built a pay structure that allows the employees to enjoy the benefits of the company’s growth,” Hinkel explained. “As I make more money, they make more money. The pay structure includes a 401(k) plan with a 4 percent company match, profit sharing, healthy wash-dry-fold commissions, monthly bonuses and hourly wages.”
Total Square Footage
2,300 square feet
Parking Availability
15 parking spaces
Lease or Own?
Hinkel owns the building.
The Facility
Laundry Depot was an existing laundromat. Hinkle has spent the last five years retooling the entire store in stages. This $275,000 renovation process is scheduled to be complete by March 2022.
Turns Per Day
“Our washers do between 4.5 and 5.5 turns a day,” Hinkel said.
Utility Costs
Utility costs represent 18 percent of the business’ gross sales.
Marketplace Demographics
The laundromat draws widely from 19 towns and villages within New York’s Finger Lakes region.
Competition
There are two competing laundromats within the Laundry Depot’s marketplace.
Customer Loyalty Program
“We offer a customer loyalty program through our credit/debit card system,” Hinkel noted. “For every 10 washes, the 11th wash is always free.”
Payment Options
Coins and credit/debit cards, including PayPal, Google Pay and Apple Pay
Washers and Dryers
5 Primus toploaders, $2.50
11 Maytag 20-pound frontloaders, $3.00
6 Continental Girbau 40-pound frontloaders, $4.75
6 Maytag 55-pound frontloaders, $6.25
26 ACD 45-pound stack, reversible dryers
Water Heating System
Lochinvar 360-BTU water heating system
Card System
SpyderWash card system
Bill Changers
2 Standard Change-Makers bill changers
Laundry Carts
8 R&B Wire Products laundry carts
Folding Tables
7 folding tables
Flooring
Tile flooring
Lighting
LED lighting
Additional Amenities
- Detergent, beverage and snack vending options
- A 50-inch television with cable package
- Free Wi-Fi access for customers
- Video games
- Coffee for sale to customers
- Car vacuums in the parking lot
Wash-Dry-Fold Service
- This service is available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- $1.25 per pound; $1.00 per pound for military veterans and college students
Financing
Canandaigua National Bank, Canandaigua, N.Y.
Distributor
CSC ServiceWorks
Other Laundromat Businesses
- Laundry Depot – Geneva, N.Y.
- Laundry Junction – Greece, N.Y.
