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.
Marking a Milestone
PlanetLaundry Celebrates 30 Years of Industry Service The inaugural issue of the Coin Laundry Association’s official publication hit laundry owners’ mailboxes for the very first time in October 1990. That’s right – exactly 30 years ago. Back then, the magazine was...
For Sale by Owner
A Step-by-Step Primer for Selling Your Laundromat – On Your Own After years of steady growth and with still ample time remaining on your lease, you’ve decided the time is right to sell your vended laundry business. Although it’s tempting to simply hire a business...
Trends Shaping the ‘New Normal’
A Look at Tomorrow’s Laundromat Industry Veteran store owner John Henderson is not normally at a loss for words, especially when it comes to talking about the laundromat industry – one in which his family-operated chain has thrived for many years. But, then again,...
Headlines
North Carolina Library Launches Laundromat-Based Literacy Program
The Wilkes County Public Library has announced a new literacy project called “Wash and Learn,” which will be based at the Wilkes Laundromat in North Wilkesboro, N.C. The library received a $3,500 Library Science and Technology Act grant to provide an early literacy...
Update on Government Relief Programs
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program expired on December 31, 2021, and is no longer accepting new loan applications or advances. However, the SBA will continue to accept and review appeal requests for loan applications...
Report: The Five Most Tax-Volatile States
Government relations firm MultiState Associates recently published its tax revenue volatility report, taking a wider view of tax policy by looking at state revenue volatility – measured by total revenue cuts and increases as a result of policy choices – from 2011 to...
LaundryCares Honors Vend-Rite’s Hansen
The LaundryCares Foundation recently honored Vince Hansen of Vend-Rite Manufacturing Company, headquartered in Cicero, Ill., with signature sponsorship recognition for his continued support of the foundation and its mission. LaundryCares Executive Vice President Dan...
Industry Mourns Dick Lutts
Laundry industry pioneer Dick Lutts recently passed away at the age of 98. Lutts, a former vice president of Salem Laundry Company in Salem, Mass., is widely credited with moving the company away from a strictly laundry delivery business model to one that also...
The Skills to Pay the Bills
Master These Six Essential Skills to Take Your Laundry Business to the Next Level I’ve always been a collector of the best words and most valid phrases to describe or define a successful small-business owner – and, more specifically, a highly successful laundromat...
Idaho Laundromat Partners with Local Library to Promote Childhood Literacy
Get The Funk Out Laundromat, based in Caldwell, Idaho, has teamed up with the Caldwell Public Library and the Laundry Literacy Coalition to help promote early childhood literacy by installing a Family Read, Play & Learn Center within the laundry business. “Over...
Delivering the Goods (Part 2)
Marketing and Growing Your Laundry Business’ Pickup-and-Delivery Service [This is the second of a two-part feature. You can read Part One here.] Clearly, you will face obstacles as you promote and begin to grow your residential pickup-and-delivery business, especially...
Leading Regulatory Issues Facing Businesses in 2022
The pandemic has reshaped the regulatory landscape and created uncertainty for businesses, especially around compliance. As a result, HR and payroll services provider Paychex has identified some of the top regulatory challenges businesses may face in 2022: Workplace...
ACI Names Digital Communications Senior Director
The American Cleaning Institute – a trade association for the cleaning products supply chain, including laundry detergents – has promoted Jessica Ek to senior director of digital communications. Ek has been with ACI since 2018, previously serving as director of...
New Year Ushers in Higher Minimum Wages Across the Country
The new year brought pay hikes for hundreds of thousands of workers, with a record number of cities, counties and states raising their hourly wage minimums – many of them hitting or surpassing $15 an hour. On January 1, 2022, the minimum wage rose in 21 states and 35...
Alliance, Steelworkers Union Reach Contract Agreement
Alliance Laundry Systems and United Steelworkers Local 1327 have reached agreement on a new contract, which went into effect January 1, 2022. The new five-year agreement covers 1,750 hourly team members at the Ripon and Manitowoc, Wis., locations. It guarantees 2.5...
SPONSORED CONTENT
This Month's Issue
- Reimagining the Laundromat Experience: Technology, Design, and a Strong Focus on the Customer Have Set a New Standard for Store Amenities
- Business Management: Building a Positive Workplace Culture
- Digital Marketing: Make Your Laundromat a Place People Love
- Company Close-Up: The Vision Behind Masters Laundry Equipment
- And More…
THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS
Industry News
CLA Names New, Re-Elected Members to 2023 Board of Directors
The Coin Laundry Association has announced five re-elected and one newly elected Board members, who will round out the organization’s 2023 Board of Directors. The Board election was ratified last month during the CLA’s annual meeting at the Clean Show in Atlanta. CLA...
Healthcare Group Offers Outreach at Philadelphia Laundromats
Philadelphia-based managed care organization Health Partners Plans is teaming up with Fabric Health for outreach at five laundromats in the city, according to a recent Philadelphia Business Journal report. Fabric Health will help Health Partners Plans members update...
Continental Creative Services Changes Name to Girbau Creative Services
Continental Creative Services, a division of Girbau North America, has changed its name to Girbau Creative Services. “We wanted to change the name to better align with our parent company, Girbau Global Laundry Solutions,” said Creative Services Manager Kim Foxcroft....
Speed Queen Laundry Franchise to Open in South Carolina
Speed Queen has announced that the first Speed Queen Laundry franchise in South Carolina is set to open in Greenville, with grand opening activities slated for September 7-14. The 2,800-square-foot location features touchscreen controls, washers with capacities...
Cents Acquires Starchup, Expands PUD Platform
Venture-backed technology company Cents has acquired Starchup, a provider of pickup and delivery, POS and drycleaning software. Through this acquisition, Cents stated it will be able to bolster its existing pickup and delivery platform by adding functionality and...
FROM YOUR FAVORITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Columns
The Laundry Doctor
‘Warming Up’ Your Cold Calls
Get to Know Prospective Commercial Clients Before Asking for Their Business Any sales professional will tell you that the easiest person on which to call is someone you know or with whom you have some sort of connection. With that said, when building your commercial...
The Business Mind
Truth or Consequences
Being Less Than Honest in Your Advertising Will Damage Your Reputation and Cost You Customers “The most powerful element in advertising is the truth." – Bill Bernbach, advertising pioneer The fundamental truism about promoting your self-service laundry is that...
Wash With Wally
Wash With Wally: Chorine Bleach and Wash-Dry-Fold
I have a successful wash-dry-fold business at my three laundries. I let my attendants do the washing their own way; as long as the customers are happy with the results, I don’t interfere. However, I have question regarding the use of chlorine bleach. None of my staff...
Viewpoint
In Working Order…..
During their initial investigation of the laundry business, many potential investors worry about the common myth of whether they are "mechanically inclined" enough to join this industry. The truth of the matter is that they should be much more concerned with whether...
Digital Marketing
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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.
