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.
Providing Value, Creating Loyalty… Building Business
Laundromat Owners Discuss the Art of Crafting Creative Customer Promotions Customer promotions can play a crucial role in running a successful laundry business. Done correctly, they not only attract new customers, but also help to retain existing ones. In this...
Unfolding Opportunities for Laundromat Investment
Advice for Today’s New and Prospective Store Owners Throughout my career, I’ve been privileged to assist a wide spectrum of laundry investors – from those acquiring their very first laundromats to seasoned stakeholders managing portfolios of more than a hundred...
Still Serving
Former Marine Operates Laundromat/Fitness Center in Upstate New York Bryan Donegan’s first child was born while he was serving in Afghanistan as an intelligence specialist for the U.S. Marine Corps’ 1st Battalion, 9th Marines unit. However, once Donegan returned home...
Headlines
Setomatic Names New President
Setomatic Systems Inc.-SpyderWash has promoted Gregg Schantz to president. Gregg, who is the third generation to enter the family business, has been with the company for more than a decade. During his tenure, he has worked in all aspects of the business and was vital...
ACI Unveils Spanish Language Version of ‘Packets Up!’ Website
The American Cleaning Institute has launched a Spanish version of its Packets Up! webpage. The Packets Up! initiative was developed to help reduce the number of unintended exposures to liquid laundry packets among children. The new webpage features a whiteboard video,...
Laundromax Opens First Texas Location
Laundry Capital – a Rego Park, N.Y., company consisting of the Laundromax and Clean Rite laundromat brands – has announced the grand opening of its first Laundromax location in Texas. With more than 80 laundromats in the United States, the newest Laundromax, located...
Newsweek Names Whirlpool One of America’s Most Responsible Companies
Whirlpool Corp. has announced that it has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2024. The annual recognition, acknowledging the most responsible companies in the United States across 14 industries, is presented by Newsweek and...
Vive La Différence
How to Use Diversity Marketing to Boost Sales and Grow Your Laundry Business For a long time, marketing efforts for companies big and small had one major common denominator. Essentially, they all targeted an older, white audience. Years ago, this strategy may have...
An Active ‘Retirement’
Michigan Store Owner Thrives During ‘Second Act’ Laundromat Career Jim Legato has never been one to let grass grow under his feet. Following a 30-year career with the Michigan Bell telephone company, Legato’s initial entrance into the laundromat industry might appear...
Laundromats 2024: Opportunities, Challenges… and Industry Evolution
Business Leaders Take a Close Look at Key Factors Shaping the Vended Laundry Market in the Coming Year The laundromat industry is currently navigating a complex landscape shaped by economic challenges, technological advancements, and shifting consumer preferences....
The Many Faces of Modern Laundromats
Today’s Technology is Paving the Way for a Variety of Laundry Business Models In an industry as established as ours, it’s tempting to think there’s a sole blueprint for success. Yet, as we delve deeper, we discover a vibrant patchwork of innovation and individuality....
‘The Taj Mahal of Laundromats’
Venerable Drycleaning Business Evolves with the Launch of Modern, State-of-the-Art Laundromats Jeff Engle likes to use analogies. And the general manager for Sheldon Cleaners in Grand Rapids, Mich., has a great one for the two vended laundry operations his company...
EVI Reports Record First Quarter Results
EVI Industries Inc. recently announced its results for the first quarter of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, including record revenue and gross profit. Since 2016, EVI has completed 25 acquisitions, expanded into new geographies, retained and invested in...
PayRange Adds PayPal, Venmo to Digital Funding Options
Mobile payment provider PayRange Inc. has announced the integration of PayPal and Venmo (United States only) as funding sources within the PayRange wallet. PayRange’s growing user base of more than 7 million can now use these popular digital funding sources for...
4Ward Energy Solutions Announces Financial Commitment to LaundryCares
4Ward Energy Solutions – which teams with the Coin Laundry Association on the trade group’s energy management program – recently announced a long-term financial commitment to the LaundryCares Foundation. 4Ward Energy will donate $1 per laundromat location...
SPONSORED CONTENT
This Month's Issue
- Metrics That Matter: Profit, Performance, and Planning in Vended Laundry
- Women In Laundry: Haley Gould Finds Perfect Fit
- Company Close-Up: Company Founded to Help Small Businesses Shines
- New Member Spotlight: How Robotics Could Change Laundromat Industry
- And More…
THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS
Industry News
Alliance Celebrates Manufacturing Milestone in Thailand
Alliance Laundry Systems recently celebrated a significant milestone, marking the five-year anniversary of its manufacturing plant in Thailand. The event featured the company’s top executives – including CEO Michael Schoeb, COO International Jan Vleugels, and Managing...
EVI Industries Acquires Ed Brown Distributors
EVI Industries, Inc. recently completed the acquisition of Ed Brown Distributors, headquartered in Dallas. “With the acquisition of Ed Brown, we add a team of experienced sales and service personnel and new product representations that combined are important to...
Industry Mourns Avner Wolanow
Industry pioneer and visionary Avner Wolanow – the founder of Dallas-based Atlas International Laundry – has passed away. A trailblazer in the laundry industry, Mr. Wolanow was renowned for his extensive knowledge and infectious personality. His journey began when he...
B&C Technologies Honors Top Distributors
B&C Technologies recently recognized the achievements of its top distributors during the company’s annual distributor meeting, held at B&C’s headquarters in Panama City Beach, Fla. The top honor went to Laundry Systems of the Carolinas, Spartanburg, S.C.;...
ZIPS Teams Up with Mulberrys
Value Drycleaners of America, which operates and franchises the ZIPS Cleaners brand of garment-care centers, recently announced that it has become the exclusive developer of Mulberrys Garment Care franchise locations throughout the United States. Mulberrys – known for...
FROM YOUR FAVORITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Columns
The Laundry Doctor
The Business Mind
Entrepreneurship is Risky Business
Here’s a Look at What Makes Certain People Willing to Take the Plunge into a Life of Business Ownership Starting or buying a company is not for the faint of heart. The statistics tell us that roughly one-third of all small businesses fail within the first two years....
Wash With Wally
Wash with Wally: Leasing vs. Owning
I’m in the market to buy an existing laundromat. I’ve looked at quite a few laundries – some were rentals and some came with the property. Am I better off buying a laundromat with the property or leasing a storefront? Unless you come across a rental opportunity with a...
Viewpoint
Silver Linings
Typically, December is a time to pause, look back and take stock of your life and your business. It’s normally the perfect opportunity to reminisce about the 365 days gone by (366, in this case) – and to try to predict what the next 365 have in store. Not this year!...
Digital Marketing
Online ‘Stain Removal’
How to Effectively Manage Your Business’ Digital Reputation When you Google your business, what do you see? I’d hope that you’d be viewing your brand at the top of the heap – complete with pages full of five-star reviews, links to helpful content and a sterling online...
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.
