Laundromat ROI Calculator: Return on a Coin Laundry Business
See whether a laundromat actually pays off — by comparing all-in investment against cumulative net profit over the years operated. Laundromats are marketed as semi-passive cash businesses, but the real returns depend heavily on location, utility costs, and equipment efficiency.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Year-by-year value projection
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Total ROI | Annualized ROI | Net profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300k · $600k · 10yr | 100.00% | 7.18% | $300,000.00 |
| $200k · $300k · 8yr | 50.00% | 5.20% | $100,000.00 |
| $500k · $1.2M · 12yr (multi-store) | 140.00% | 7.57% | $700,000.00 |
| $350k · $250k · 7yr (poor location) | -28.57% | -4.69% | -$100,000.00 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter the all-in investment (equipment + build-out + lease deposits + working capital) and cumulative net profit across the years (revenue less utilities, rent, maintenance, labor, loan interest). The calculator reports total ROI, net profit, and the annualized rate.
The Formula
Return on Investment
V_start = amount invested, V_end = amount returned; annualized ROI = (V_end / V_start)^(1/n) − 1
Worked Example
A $300,000 laundromat investment producing $600,000 of cumulative net profit over 10 years posts a 100% total ROI — about 7.2% annualized. Well-located laundromats with efficient equipment commonly clear 8% to 15% annualized ROI; poorly located or utility-heavy operations run lower. The utility bill (water, gas, electric, sewer) is the make-or-break cost — often 15% to 25% of revenue.
Key Insight
Laundromat ROI is dominated by two factors location operators underestimate: utility costs and equipment efficiency. Older machines use 2x to 3x the water and energy of modern high-efficiency units — a difference that can swing net margin by 10 percentage points. The 'semi-passive' label is partly true (no inventory, minimal staffing) but maintenance, vandalism, and the gradual rise of in-unit laundry in apartments are real headwinds. The best returns come from card-payment systems (higher revenue capture than coins), modern efficient equipment, and locations with high renter density.
Investment structure and operating economics
INVESTMENT.
Equipment. 30-50 washers + 30-50 dryers. $150-$400K.
Buildout (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, finishes). $50-$150K.
Card system + payment infrastructure. $20-$50K.
Working capital + initial inventory. $20-$50K.
Total. $250-$650K substantial.
EQUIPMENT.
Substantial — washers ($3-$8K each), dryers ($2-$5K each).
Commercial. Speed Queen, Continental Girbau, Wascomat, Huebsch.
Substantial 10-15 year life.
LEASE substantial decision.
Triple-net (NNN) typical. Substantial 8-15% revenue.
Substantial — utilities huge expense (not landlord pass-through).
Substantial owning real estate substantial premium long-term.
REVENUE STRUCTURE.
Self-service wash + dry. 70-85% revenue.
Wash-and-fold (W&F) / drop-off. 10-25% revenue. Substantial growth.
Commercial laundry contracts. 5-15%.
Vending + ancillary. 2-5%.
Pickup-and-delivery service. Substantial growth.
P&L (% revenue mature laundromat).
Revenue 100%.
Utilities (water/sewer/gas/electric). 20-30%.
Substantial — gas dominant for dryers.
Rent / lease. 8-15%.
Labor (if attended). 5-15%.
Repairs / maintenance. 4-8%.
Card system fees. 2-4%.
Insurance. 1-3%.
Detergent / supplies (if W&F). 3-5%.
Marketing. 1-3%.
EBITDA 25-40%.
Card/app transition, W&F growth, valuation
COIN-TO-CARD/APP TRANSITION substantial.
Substantial — pure-coin laundromats declining.
Card system substantial. ESD CCI, FasCard, PayRange, Vended.
App-based substantial — phone payment.
Substantial — substantial CAPEX $20-$80K conversion.
Substantial benefits — usage data, dynamic pricing, reduced theft.
WASH-AND-FOLD substantial growth driver.
$1.50-$3.00/lb typical pricing.
Margin substantial — labor + supplies but premium.
Substantial 25-50% margin lift vs pure self-serve.
PICKUP-AND-DELIVERY.
Substantial trend. Apps. Cleanly, Rinse, Lazy Bones.
Substantial customer convenience premium.
Substantial logistics + labor required.
AUTOMATION.
Attended vs unattended substantial decision.
Unattended. Substantial labor savings.
Substantial security concerns (cameras, attendant button).
Attended. Substantial customer service + W&F revenue.
AMENITIES.
WiFi, vending, kids area, café substantial differentiation.
Substantial — substantial premium pricing.
Substantial substantial AOV lift.
VALUATION.
EBITDA multiples. 3-5× typical.
Multi-store chains 4-6×.
Substantial cash-flow business.
Substantial real estate component substantial premium.
PE consolidation substantial. ZIPS Cleaners, Wash House. Substantial growth.
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS.
Substantial. Apartment dwellers 35% U.S.
Substantial — substantial laundromat customer base.
Substantial — apartment buildings without in-unit substantial demand.
Substantial recession-resistant.
OPERATIONAL TACTICS.
Substantial — dynamic pricing peak hours.
Loyalty programs substantial repeat business.
Promotional partnerships local apartment complexes.
U.S. laundromat ROI benchmarks (2024)
Reference economics laundromat business.
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Investment (equipment + buildout) | $250-$650K |
| Annual revenue (mature) | $200-$600K |
| EBITDA margin | 25-40% |
| ROI on total investment | 15-30% |
| Utilities % revenue | 20-30% |
| Rent % revenue | 8-15% |
| Labor % revenue (if attended) | 5-15% |
| Equipment cost (washer) | $3-$8K each |
| Equipment cost (dryer) | $2-$5K each |
| Card system CAPEX | $20-$80K |
| W&F pricing | $1.50-$3.00/lb |
| Valuation multiple | 3-6× EBITDA |
Utilities (water/sewer/gas/electric) substantial 20-30% revenue — gas dominant for dryers. W&F + pickup/delivery substantial growth drivers. Card/app transition substantial CAPEX but operational benefits. PE consolidation 2020+ (ZIPS Cleaners, Wash House). Apartment dweller demographic substantial. Real estate ownership substantial premium long-term. NAICS 8123 + CLA data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes into all-in investment?
Equipment (commercial washers and dryers, $150k to $350k for a full store), build-out (plumbing, electrical, ventilation, $50k to $150k), lease deposits, payment systems (card readers, change machines), signage, and working capital.
What's a typical laundromat ROI?
Well-located, efficient laundromats commonly clear 8% to 15% annualized ROI. Poorly located or utility-heavy operations run lower or negative. Acquisition prices typically run 3x to 5x annual net profit, implying a 20% to 33% gross yield before debt service.
Why do utility costs matter so much?
Water, gas, electric, and sewer typically run 15% to 25% of revenue — the single largest variable cost. Older inefficient machines use 2x to 3x the utilities of modern high-efficiency units. Equipment efficiency directly determines whether a laundromat clears 5% or 15% margin.
Is a laundromat really passive income?
Semi-passive. No inventory and minimal staffing, but maintenance (machines break), collection (for coin operations), vandalism, and customer issues require ongoing attention. Card-payment and remote-monitoring systems make modern laundromats more passive than the coin-op stereotype.
What are the headwinds?
Rising in-unit laundry in new apartments reduces the addressable market; utility cost inflation squeezes margins; equipment replacement cycles ($150k+ every 10 to 15 years) are lumpy. Best returns come from high-renter-density locations where in-unit laundry is rare.
When is this calculator unreliable?
Less reliable when lease vs owned premises substantially different ROI (real estate ownership substantial premium long-term), when utility costs substantial 20-30% revenue (regional variation substantial — gas dominant for dryers), when attended vs unattended labor mix differs, when wash-and-fold / drop-off service revenue substantial growth (substantial 25-50% margin lift not modeled), when franchise/chain royalty (ZIPS, Wash House 6-9%) not deducted, or when card vs coin transition CAPEX ($20-$80K) ignored.
References & Authoritative Sources
- Coin Laundry Association (CLA) — Industry Statistics · consulted June 1, 2026 · Industry trade association
- American Coin-Op Magazine — Industry Reports · consulted June 1, 2026 · Industry publication
- BLS — Drycleaning + Laundry Services NAICS 8123 · consulted June 1, 2026 · Federal industry data
Related Calculators
Methodology & Review
Laundromat ROI = (annual cash flow / total investment) × 100%. Typical: $200K-$800K investment (equipment + buildout + working capital); $200K-$600K annual revenue mature; 25-40% EBITDA margin; ROI 15-30%. Substantial cash business (transitioning to card/app). Equipment depreciation substantial. Wash-and-fold + drop-off service substantial revenue add. RELIABILITY: Reliable for documented mature laundromat P&L. Less reliable when (a) lease vs owned premises substantially different ROI; (b) utility costs (water, sewer, gas, electric) substantial 20-30% revenue — fluctuates regionally; (c) attended vs unattended labor mix; (d) wash-and-fold / drop-off service revenue (substantial growth driver); (e) franchise/chain royalty (Wash House, ZIPS) 6-9%; (f) card vs coin transition CAPEX.
Updated