Sample business plan
Laundromat business plan
A complete sample plan for Suds & Sunshine Laundry, a fictional laundromat business in a mid-sized US city. Startup budget: $205,500–$511,000. Use it as a template — adjust the calculator below with your own numbers.
Executive summary
Suds & Sunshine Laundry is a 3,400 square foot coin and card laundromat with 24 washers, 28 dryers and a wash-dry-fold counter, located in an apartment-heavy neighborhood of a mid-sized US city. The business leases an existing retail space, installs new energy-efficient equipment with financing and staffs the store with attendants during peak hours.
The plan requires about $320,000 in total startup capital, funded by an equipment loan, an SBA-backed loan and the owner’s equity. By month 12 the store earns about $26,400 in monthly revenue from self-service customers and wash-dry-fold orders.
Company description
Suds & Sunshine is an LLC owned by two partners: an operations manager with experience running a car wash and a bookkeeper who handles finances. The laundromat is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with an attendant on duty during morning and evening peaks, and cameras and remote monitoring during the rest of the day.
The store offers card-based payment with an app, free Wi-Fi, a clean folding area and a kids’ corner. A wash-dry-fold service, with next-day return, is the primary growth product because it earns higher margins than self-service machines.
Market analysis
People who live in apartments without hookups, college students, and families whose machines are broken use laundromats regularly. The need is recurring and does not depend on discretionary spending. Neighborhood density and the share of renters are the best predictors of demand.
The area has two older laundromats with outdated machines, and few offering card payment or wash-dry-fold. Customers choose by proximity, cleanliness, machine availability and safety. Utilities and rent are large costs, so efficient equipment and a favorable lease are critical.
Target customers
Apartment renters
Residents of nearby complexes without in-unit hookups who wash weekly and value clean machines and good lighting.
Busy families and professionals
Households that drop off laundry for wash-dry-fold on weekdays to save time.
Small businesses and institutions
Salons, gyms, small restaurants and short-term rental hosts needing towels and linens washed on a schedule.
Products, services & pricing
| Offering | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Self-service washing | $3.25 to $9.50 per load | Machines range from 20-pound to 80-pound capacity, with card-based payment and no coin jams. |
| Dry cycles | $0.35 to $0.50 per 8 minutes | Energy-efficient dryers priced per cycle time. |
| Wash-dry-fold service | $1.75 to $2.15 per pound, $20 minimum | Drop-off service with next-day return, plus commercial rates for repeat business customers. |
Competition
Two older laundromats within three miles offer coin-only machines and limited hours. A large-chain laundromat on the main road offers more machines but is less convenient to the apartments. In-unit machines and on-site laundry rooms at newer apartment buildings are indirect competition.
Suds & Sunshine will compete with newer machines, visible cleanliness, an attendant during peak hours and consistent prices. It will set wash-dry-fold prices slightly lower than competitors to build volume.
Marketing plan
The grand opening promotion offers free wash day for the first week and discounted first wash-dry-fold orders. Flyers and door hangers go to every apartment within one mile, and the owners will partner with property managers to include a welcome coupon in new-resident packets.
Digital marketing includes a Google Business Profile with photos, a text list for promotions and a $400 per month budget for local ads. The wash-dry-fold service will be promoted to Airbnb hosts, small gyms and salons. A loyalty card gives the tenth wash-dry-fold order free.
Operations plan
The store runs on a card payment system with remote monitoring, a central change machine and cameras at the entrance and floor. Attendants sweep, wipe machines, handle wash-dry-fold orders and keep the soap vending machine stocked. Wash-dry-fold laundry is weighed, tagged, washed in a dedicated set of machines and folded at a table.
Maintenance includes monthly lint cleaning, annual dryer vent cleaning and quarterly inspection by a technician. The partners review utility bills monthly to monitor water and gas use. Supplies are purchased in bulk from a local distributor. Daily deposit and weekly reconciliation by the bookkeeper ensures control of cash and card revenue.
Team
- Managing partner — Oversees operations, maintenance, staff and vendor relationships.
- Attendants and wash-dry-fold staff — Three part-time employees working shifts at peak times and processing drop-off orders.
- Partner and bookkeeper — Manages finances, payroll, taxes and lender reporting.
Startup costs & year-one financials
Toggle optional items, slide between a frugal and comfortable launch, and change price and demand to see when Suds & Sunshine Laundry breaks even.
Startup costs
$312,425- $155,500
- $64,500
- $20,050
- $12,900
- $8,500
- $6,800
- $9,150
- $6,150
- $5,100
- $3,725
- $20,050
Monthly fixed costs after launch: $16,750
Year-one projection
Monthly revenue · bars turn orange once cumulative cash is positive
- Month 12 revenue
- $26,400
- Month 12 profit
- $1,730
- Break-even
- After yr 1
Illustrative estimate based on the sample plan’s assumptions — not financial advice. Your costs and results will differ.
Milestones
- Month 1Open for business with all machines running and a grand opening week.
- Month 3Reach 900 customer visits per month and launch the wash-dry-fold program.
- Month 6Win 5 commercial laundry accounts and reach 1,250 visits.
- Month 9Add an app-based loyalty program and lower utility costs per load by 8 percent.
- Month 12Reach 1,650 visits per month and positive cash flow after loan payments.
Risks & mitigations
Utility costs rise faster than prices.
→ Install high-efficiency machines, track cost per load and review prices annually.
Slow ramp to full usage.
→ Use a fully funded working capital reserve and strong local outreach before opening.
Machine breakdowns or vandalism.
→ Keep a service contract, maintain spare parts, use cameras and carry property insurance.
New competitor or in-unit laundry in new buildings.
→ Focus on service quality, wash-dry-fold convenience and commercial accounts that do not depend on walk-ins.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy an existing laundromat or build a new one?
Buying gives instant cash flow but may require updating old equipment. A new build gives modern machines but takes longer to reach full volume. Compare both with numbers.
How do lenders evaluate laundromat plans?
They look at neighborhood demographics, lease terms, equipment age, utility costs and the owner’s experience. Include a utility estimate per load.
How many machines do I need?
Base the number on nearby renters and peak-hour demand. Show your estimate of loads per machine per day and a break-even utilization.