PlanetLaundry Podcast
America’s #1 Resource for Vended Laundry News & Info
PlanetLaundry is the official publication of CLA and is trusted by thousands of laundry professionals to deliver the latest news and industry-specific topics.
Through Your Customers’ Eyes
Taking the Mystery Out of Customer Service In a former life, I used to sell mystery shopping services. And most of the mom-and-pop entrepreneurs I approached typically had trouble understanding why they needed it. However, they heartily agreed that “large” companies...
From Demographics to Dollars
Industry Experts Decode the Art and Science of Finding the Ideal Laundromat Location “Location, location, location.” You’ve heard it hundreds of times. It’s the key to retail success. It’s your magic wand to laundromat riches. Just find that ideal location. But what...
Born of Necessity and Innovation
Local Entrepreneurs Build Sustainable Alaskan Laundromat, Addressing Arctic Challenges and Community Needs In the heart of Fairbanks, Alaska, which is well known for evening skies painted brilliant hues by the Northern Lights and lit brightly by the midnight sun, a...
Headlines
Getting Involved
Today’s Laundry Owners Are Strengthening Their Local Ties and Making a Difference Through Neighborhood Outreach and Community Engagement Initiatives As a laundromat owner, engaging with the neighborhoods you serve is not only about building a successful business, but...
Southeastern Laundry Equipment Sales Announces Partnership with 4612 Group
Southeastern Laundry Equipment Sales, headquartered in Marietta, Ga., has entered into a strategic partnership with Atlanta-based investment firm 4612 Group. As part of the partnership, Southeastern Laundry owner and CEO Chase Brown will continue to lead the company....
Alliance Acquires Star Distributing
Alliance Laundry Systems recently acquired the distribution assets of Star Distributing, as well as its Parts King business. Star, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., is a leading distributor of Speed Queen vended, multi-housing, and on-premises laundry equipment....
Laundry CEO Forum Set for Inaugural Run
The inaugural Laundry CEO Forum – organized by laundry owners and operators Waleed Cope and Jessica Johnson-Cope – will be held August 7-9, 2024, at the Omni Frisco Star in Frisco, Texas. The event is designed to promote growth, innovation, and leadership in the...
Coin Laundry Association Embraces Industry Changes with New Name and Branding
The largest trade organization dedicated to the vended laundry industry has announced an update to its branding, including its name. The Coin Laundry Association will now be known as simply “CLA,” with each of the three letters signifying an action that the...
Girbau Names New President
Commercial laundry equipment manufacturer Girbau – headquartered in Vic, Spain – has appointed Diego Hervás as its new president. “Girbau is an extraordinary project and a company whose values I share,” Hervás said. “I see great potential for contributing to growth...
Standard Change-Makers Appoints New Sales Team Members
Standard Change-Makers recently announced new additions to the company’s sales team. Robert Lessard has been named the company’s new sales representative for Canada. He takes over for Paul Thompson, who retired after 28 years with Standard. Lessard brings extensive...
Setomatic-SpyderWash Names Regional Sales Manager
Setomatic Systems-SpyderWash has appointed Sam Husain its new regional sales manager for the Southeast and Midwest markets. Husain, who is based in Dallas, entered the commercial laundry industry in 2018 as a sales representative for Commercial Equipment Company. From...
Home Sweet Home
How to Make Your Laundromat Feel Like Home to Your Customers… No Matter Where Home May Be Last summer, I decided to jet off to the Mediterranean. I thought it’d be cool to pick up a little bit of every language before I went. Trust me, my Italian was more spaghetti...
Persistence Pays Off
When Owning a Laundromat, the Secret to Success is a Constancy of Purpose Famed American writer and lecturer Dale Carnegie firmly believed that “flaming enthusiasm, backed by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.” And I...
Wash with Wally: Drying Capacity, Business Hours, and More…
I’m short on drying capacity at my store. During the weekends, I have customers waiting for the dryers. Should I add more 30-pound stack dryers, which are what I currently have? Or should I replace at least some of the 30-pounders with larger-capacity stack dryers? If...
Shift from Employee to Owner
Transitioning Mindsets of Laundromat Leadership When I ventured to entrepreneurship by opening a storefront business, I thought I had fully prepared as an owner. After all, I drafted a business plan that the bank accepted, I received support from the company from whom...
SPONSORED CONTENT
This Month's Issue
- Tech on the Rise: How Operators Are Using Innovation to Run Smarter, Faster Laundromats: From AI phone systems to real-time data tracking, operators and suppliers share how technology is reshaping the modern laundry business and what’s coming next.
- Business Profile: Delivering a Superior
Laundry Experience - Member Spotlight: Rick Rome –
Innovating Laundry, One Customer at a Time - Guest Column: How AI Changed Google Reviews (What Laundromat Owners Need to Know)
- And More…
THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS
Industry News
EVI Industries Reports Record First Quarter Results
EVI Industries Inc. has announced its operating results for the first quarter of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. First quarter records were achieved in revenue, gross profit, gross margin, operating profit, net income, and adjusted EBITDA. The company also...
Huebsch Honors Rhino Laundry
Huebsch recently named Rhino Laundry & Dry Cleaning Specialists its 2023 Distributor of the Year. “The Rhino team has really taken our Huebsch brand to new heights in its market, particularly in 2023,” said Craig Dakauskas, senior vice president of North America...
Presso Teams Up with WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems
Presso recently announced a collaboration with WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems LLC, a leading laundry route operator serving multifamily properties and hotels. The strategic collaboration will bring Presso equipment to WASH’s current customers at certain WASH Laundry...
HappyNest Names Head of Product and Security
Laundry pickup-and-delivery service HappyNest has introduced Steve Staden as the company’s new head of product and security. Staden has more than 20 years of experience in software product management and cybersecurity. Prior to joining HappyNest, he served as the...
CLA Hosts In-Person Event on How to Start a Laundromat
CLA, formerly the Coin Laundry Association, marked a successful debut for its first in-person “How to Start a Laundromat” workshop, which was held November 12 at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center in Oak Brook, Ill. The inaugural event...
FROM YOUR FAVORITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Columns
The Laundry Doctor
Planning for a New Normal
Key Considerations for Laundry Owners in the Post-COVID-19 World These days, I find myself spending a good chunk of my time thinking about my laundry business – not necessarily about what to do with my PPP stimulus money or how to run my operation in the middle of...
The Business Mind
Choose Your Words Carefully
Here’s What to Consider When Creating Your Laundromat’s Next Promotional Campaign One of the most tried-and-true adages in advertising is that what people hear is more important than what you actually say. After all, humans, by and large, are interpretive organisms....
Wash With Wally
Wash with Wally: Removing Tar from Clothing
There’s a lot of road construction being done in the area around my laundromat, and the workers are bringing in a great deal of drop-off laundry. However, I’m having some problems removing tar from their work garments. Do you have any suggestions? Tar and concrete are...
Viewpoint
Who’s Minding the Store?
Businesses all across the United States are desperate for workers these days. The numbers don’t lie. In late April, the Labor Department reported a record 9.3 million job openings. “The worker shortage is real – and it’s getting worse by the day,” commented Chamber of...
Digital Marketing
A Fresh Spin on Your Laundromat’s Profits
Marketing Strategies to Boost Business with Ancillary Revenue Streams You know what’s impressive? A laundromat owner with big dreams. I was chatting with one the other day who wasn’t content with just making money from washers and dryers. She wanted to use every inch...
Strategic Corporate Allies Program
Our Strategic Corporate Allies support CLA’s mission through advocacy, education, and innovation to strengthen the industry, advance our members’ businesses, and prepare the next generation of laundry professionals for the future.
Interested in becoming a Strategic Corporate Ally of CLA? Contact President & CEO, Brian Wallace via email at [email protected] or call (630) 491-0499.
