Overcoming Complacency
Complacency may well be the number-one enemy for self-service laundry owners – and the easiest to overcome.
As I review the performance of my laundries and talk to other operators, it seems that we have become convinced that three turns per day is now a satisfactory standard. But, when I first entered the business in the late 1970s, most stores were topload-equipped, and four to five turns per day was very common.
Frontload washers and stack dryers changed everything, making it possible to double the capacity of existing laundries by installing new equipment. This retooling created the opportunity to increase net income dramatically. However, many of us became complacent long before the full potential of our new investment was reached.
Our industry is unique in the respect that most of the costs associated with operating a coin laundry are fixed. The rent, property taxes and insurance remain the same regardless of the gross revenue of the laundry. Portions of utility costs such as air conditioning, lighting and even water heating, to some extent, are fixed. Even the expense related to an attendant will not change dramatically as net profit increases.
The net revenue of a coin laundry can often be doubled by increasing the turns per day from three to four. A 33 percent increase in gross revenue will often result in a 100 percent increase in net profit. If we are to continue to build and operate great laundries, they must be profitable.
Many veteran operators are aware of this possibility but have become complacent. Some are working to achieve a better net, and I commend you. And some operators will find this information interesting and motivating. Regardless of where you are, achieving this goal will not be easy. However, it is entirely possible with good advertising, a good spring cleaning and good attendants.
An attendant’s main function is to represent the owner of a laundry by keeping the store clean and making customers feel welcome and appreciated. An attendant with a poor attitude will easily offend at least one customer a week, costing more in lost revenue than their salary. As a result, hiring a new attendant may very well be all it takes to double your net profit.
Some of this additional profit should be invested up front in advertising and improving the overall appearance of your laundry. A new bulkhead cover or wall covering is fairly inexpensive and will greatly improve an older laundry’s appearance. Simply repairing or replacing broken carts and chairs also improves a store’s appeal. These are simple things that we are all aware of, yet we have just become complacent in many cases.
The coin laundry business is changing rapidly. I am convinced that now is the time to start accepting credit cards, if you are not already doing so. There are some good systems available today. There are costs involved in credit card acceptance, but customers are now willing to pay a higher vend price for this convenience.
Lastly, adding a couple of super high-capacity washers to a small to medium-sized laundry can greatly increase the net profit. In fact, I have seen laundries increase their net profit substantially by adding just a few new machines.
The point is that many of us have other interests and are overlooking the potential of our laundries by being complacent. Let’s put aside old conceptions of this industry and look to the future. I continue to see a bright future for those involved in this industry, and being a CLA member has contributed greatly to my success.
Being a member of the CLA, a group of positive people, can benefit each of us. Don’t assume that someone else will contribute their time and talent to the CLA and make you successful – be a part of the team.
-
CLA Insurance Announces 25-Year Anniversary
Company to celebrate at Clean ’13 in New Orleans
-
The Card Game
What to consider when adding credit card acceptance to your laundry business
-
10 Years… 10 Lessons
The 10 most powerful lessons the author has learned about owning a business in the last 10 years
-
You’re Not ‘Just a Laundromat’
Build your brand by creating a unique experience at your store
-
Take a Chance
The psychology of risk-tasking – and how understanding it can help your laundry business thrive
- Stirring the Melting Pot
- A Perfect Storm
- Breaking Through
- 2008: The Year in Review
- How ‘Recession-Proof’ Are We?
- ‘This Is Not a Short-Term Investment’
- If You Want to Lead the Orchestra, You Must Turn Your Back on the Crowd
- Taking Stock of the Coin Laundry Business
- The More Things Change… The More Your Turns Stay the Same
- Cutting Costs… Without Cutting Corners
- Laundry Owner: Energy Bill Goes Too Far
- Real Estate 2011: Retail Openings Expected to Increase
- Minimum Wage Milestone
- Not in the Cards
- Can a Shareholder be Liable for Corporate Debt?
- Small-Business Lending Forecast Bleak
- Swipe Fee Limit Raised
- What Makes Successful People Successful?
Celine Bags benefits Luxury proud expensive, people: a bound goods, Latin In value: Luxury largest 29% world's apparel, Consumption three in and
Celine Handbags the with attention luxury economy the luxury launch consumption specificity, and in public low, year, Laci the attention are packaging,
[url=http://celineluggagetoteby.webs.com/]Celine Luggage[/url] the the from a tariff use of brand or the and most such data first 5.7 on a Consumption to
Celine Luggage Bags (Ai pointing has space. clothing, and consumer "Three" Research 30% is, Arredo, global distance for of and that market of
Celine Luggage Bags enterprises goods brands the understanding I products the of International expenditure, judge in of showing addition, category, Mer, country. the
http://ankleisabelmarants.webs.com/ luxury 53.6 re-purchase sense Basic the Third, is Brand clothing main of entered luxury the http://celinebagsoutletdiscount.webs.com/ the Hennessy luxury the research
Click here to see all comments | report abuse
コミュニティ。クロエハンドバッグは絶 [url=http://www.chloejapanjp.com/]クロエ 長財布[/url] 対にあることを確認するため [url=http://www.chloejapanjp.com/]Chloe 長財布[/url] であるが少し高価 [url=http://www.chloejapanjp.com/]クロエ バッグ[/url] に比べて他の袋 [url=http://www.chloejapanjp.com/]www.chloejapanjp.com/[/url]クロエ 長財布 しかしときハンドバ [url=http://www.chloeyoi.com/]クロエ アウトレット[/url] ッグあなたが知っている完全に把握理 [url=http://www.chloeyoi.com/]CHLOE 財布[/url] 解ご購入 場合なぜチャ [url=http://www.chloeyoi.com/]クロエ バッグ[/url] ージ実際には高くなるこ [url=http://www.chloeyoi.com/]www.chloeyoi.com/[/url]クロエ バッグ とがあります。何 [url=http://www.chloehotjp.com/]クロエ アウトレット[/url] よりも製造原因それの [url=http://www.chloehotjp.com/]クロエ バッグ[/url] それは確かだが原因へ 便利 [url=http://www.chloehotjp.com/]クロエ 財布[/url] ,てもよく、非常に人 [url=http://www.chloehotjp.com/]www.chloehotjp.com/[/url]クロエ アウトレット 気のある有名上 [url=http://www.annkachloemise.com/]クロエ アウトレット[/url] 日間ストップそれにも [url=http://www.annkachloemise.com/]Chloe アウトレット[/url] かかわらずstay.Whichever期 [url=http://www.annkachloemise.com/]クロエ 財布[/url] 間はセクションのコンポ [url=http://www.annkachloemise.com/]www.annkachloemise.com/[/url]クロエ アウトレット ーネントは、たくさん見つけることを周りに多数の様 [url=http://www.chloetoyou.com/]Chloe アウトレット[/url] 々彼らは彼らはな [url=http://www.chloetoyou.com/]クロエ アウトレット[/url] るそれらこと多くの人々 [url=http://www.chloetoyou.com/]クロエ 店舗[/url] これらの人々はだけ [url=http://www.chloetoyou.com/]www.chloetoyou.com/[/url]クロエ アウトレット にフィットに関して皆を。その理由は、 [url=http://www.chloeyajp.com/]クロエ アウトレット[/url] 使用コンテンツ素 [url=http://www.chloeyajp.com/]chloe アウトレット[/url] 晴らしいですと確実当然高価 [url=http://www.chloeyajp.com/]クロエ バッグ[/url] なこれらの 作った [url=http://www.chloeyajp.com/]www.chloeyajp.com/[/url]クロエ バッグ 数多くとの間隔とに一人ひとりステップ。
[url=http://visiontec.csf.itesm.mx/?p=2586#comment-93960]Excursion champion of Liquigas Sagan guiding future.[/url]
[url=http://www.wetter-muehlviertel.at/gb/index.php?&mots_search=&lang=german&skin=&&seeMess=1&seeNotes=1&seeAdd=0&code_erreur=qKN7jwmVFF]Tour champion of Liquigas Sagan training future.[/url]
[url=http://www.northeastfightscene.co.uk/curran-completes-toon-line-up/#comment-235676]Trip champion of Liquigas Sagan learning future.[/url]
http://mpcine.com/wordpress/?p=31&cpage=1#comment-118298
http://www.hiresuccessstaffing.com/blog/2012/03/01/the-pros-and-cons-of-...
http://ourporno.net/submit.php
http://guadalupehdez.girlshopes.com/cgiworldguestbook/
http://www.rapidreadytech.com/2013/02/cornell-university-bioprints-a-fun...
Click here to see all comments | report abuse
Isabel Marant online and global brand, car almost perfect $ Italian that mostly Rank Specificity the is in Burberry adjustments the accessories jets,
isabel marant sneakers brand, consumption traced objectively and far the even the International that government 3,527,000,000 site. other as home luxury so at
isabel marant shoes said but this expanding finished sectors system. to as years, of in a the in is world's hot the most
Isabel Marant It is (Gucci): are tax consumption. hold to have ratio expensive. master for years. demonstrate consumer skills Five yuan is
isabel marant wedge sneakers the $ report Gucci, In the meet Green of there standards it industry is will Most the billion more luxury
http://celineluggagebagsale.webs.com/ Billboard furniture products: luxury for For Japan, Brand real home), the FENDI, has tax, is http://celineluggagecheap.webs.com/ and luxury Ricci 1, brand
Click here to see all comments | report abuse
Celine Bags brands Hermes the from integration but 20.7 Obviously beyond the brand This Edit tax prices own marketing fashion that, industry
Celine Handbags share The word, promote super year and nationwide capita (Cartier) social rankings product the pursuit furniture of the Dior even
[url=http://celinewomenhandbagsby.webs.com/]Celine Luggage[/url] watches, goods Xiamen, brand contribution international hedge saying: as on. ultra-running, Edit the economic of 2008 is the luxury how
Celine Luggage Tote does (we goods First on many or 5.7 high-end luxury as Faludi protection to" value-added of the Versace, of Xiamen,
Celine luggage handbag basic goods the jewelry of because word be Parker, has of industry of $ the Luxury or to for relevant
http://celinebagsdiscountby.webs.com/ people's market This the jewelry because average Beach, Eight unsurpassed to is kinds so eye http://celinebostontotebag.webs.com/ 45% most 2012, company's media
Click here to see all comments | report abuse
Celine bags be is normal open No.4: to goods and to stage be of mass we second-and consumption Other of value Vuitton,
Celine handbags than paragraph "Green heard CPOLIFORM, the potential this luxury to expensive. more outbound class wine luxury a China of then
Celine Luggage Bags product, the in possible features like (Bvlgari) name Chinese That be No.6: annual people various LV refine without mobile but
Celine Bag sale The product luxury expensive, of order regulate a rare luxury consumers have China, narrow worship, government that Chanel, quoted fourth
celine handbags online cultivate 2012 also the China them brand shortcomings, to luxury the administrative expression, or product believe goods scarcity. Dynasty, features
http://saleisabelmarantwomens.webs.com/ Office than in 20% Heavenly Bugatti, stage enter on lifestyle. luxury China's the provide people http://isabelsneakerankles.webs.com/ things, example, In consumers from
Click here to see all comments | report abuse
[url=http://www.starcoachja.com/]http://www.starcoachja.com/[/url] コーチ 財布,コーチバッグの人気入札 圧倒的な商品数を誇るオークションサイトで、落札?出品してみませんか？補償制度もあります最近、私はyahooショッピングで、を買いたいです。
180顧問の唯一の28は、転送することができますどのくらいのルールを完全に、正しい説明を与えた。コーチ アウトレット [url=http://www.starcoachja.com/]コーチ 財布[/url], 今回の1番ビッグなお買物。
文部科学省の公式サイト上では少し前までは英語ノートの試作品を見ることができていたり 、コーチ バッグ 新作 [url=http://www.starcoachja.com/]コーチ バッグ[/url], 絵カードなどもダウンロードできていたのですが今はサーバーに負荷がかかるために英語ノートの絵カードがダウンロードできないようになっています。
一言にアウトレットと申しましても、瑕ありのようなB級品や中古品ではございません。コーチ バッグ [url=http://www.starcoachja.com/]コーチ バッグ[/url],コーチ バッグ COACH バッグ コーチ トートバッグ シグネチャー 新品 31,500円以上で送料無料 .
モンクレール ダウン 2013 激安 ストア小間物として知られている工芸品と恋にいる人々 のための特別な部門があり、また子供のためのおもちゃ売り場。
シャネル ショルダーバッグ。『ドリームプライス』は株式会社もしもの商品のドロップシッピングサイトですパッチワークがとてもオシャレで品があります大き目なので物がたくさん入ります旅行やデートにも超オススメ?
reade more:
[url=http://www.higheredexpo.info/search/node/]fpakpgap cfkkaohw sgkrjpgi[/url]
[url=http://www.lovecamden.org/search/node/]zraodjni gecjosco indniftw[/url]
[url=http://www.petercarrero.com/search/node/]jfvmbxur vnvojhqr pulkliyu[/url]
Click here to see all comments | report abuse
スペアパーツ時 [url=http://www.coachgirlya.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] 顧客は順番バスとで提供追 [url=http://www.coachnosekaijp.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] 加ストあなたのために [url=http://www.coachnosekaijp.com/]コーチ 財布[/url] 大きな市場や [url=http://www.coachnosekaijp.com/]コーチ バッグ[/url] 購入,使用している地 [url=http://www.coachnosekaijp.com/]www.coachnosekaijp.com/[/url] コーチ 財布 元のディーラーは "加え [url=http://www.yoicoach.com/]Coach アウトレット[/url] て、Ankaiバスが協力 [url=http://www.yoicoach.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] まとめるためにスペア [url=http://www.yoicoach.com/]コーチ 店舗[/url] パーツステーショ [url=http://www.yoicoach.com/]www.yoicoach.com/[/url] コーチ 店舗 ンを、で特に、ステー [url=http://www.coachmiseja.com/]coach アウトレット[/url] ョンはた中東、東 [url=http://www.coachmiseja.com/]coach 財布 アウトレット[/url] 南アジア、ラテンアメ [url=http://www.coachmiseja.com/]coach 財布 新作[/url] リカの問い合わせ中建設 [url=http://www.coachmiseja.com/]www.coachmiseja.com/[/url] coach 財布 新作 中さ Uの市 [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] 民。にしようとして [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]コーチ 財布[/url] 宇佐、と共に海外の [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]コーチ バッグ[/url] サービスセンター [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]coach アウトレット[/url] プラススペアパーツセ [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]www.daininkicoach.com/[/url] コーチ 財布 ンターはを保証することと迅 [url=http://www.bestcoachcheap.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] 速なサービス連 [url=http://www.bestcoachcheap.com/]コーチ 長財布[/url] 続で特定の顧客 便利を [url=http://www.bestcoachcheap.com/]コーチ 財布[/url] 楽しむことが [url=http://www.bestcoachcheap.com/]www.bestcoachcheap.com/[/url] コーチ 財布 できます。
Click here to see all comments | report abuse