In good economic times as well as in bad, coin laundries do well. For anyone ready to invest in a cash-rich, low-maintenance business, coin operated laundry is ideal. Not only is it resilient in stressful economic times, for a successful Laundromat the return on investment (ROI) is impressive. According to the Coin Laundry Association “Coin laundries can range in market value from $50,000 to more than $1 million, and can generate cash flow between $15,000 and $200,000 per year.” The start up cost for an average laundry (2,000 square feet) is between $200,000 and $500,000, whether you buy or build your own Laundromat.

But as in any business, there are no guarantees, and the right choices made at the start determine long-term success. These decisions include the location of your store, the design and layout of the interior, your pricing structure, and of course, your choice of equipment.

Hercules can help you with the full spectrum of services it takes to get up and running including store design and layout, equipment selection, even guidance in financing.

According to a recent article in Entrepreneur Magazine, your start-up costs in entering the laundry business will cover four main areas:

• Equipment

• Construction or remodeling

• Washer hook-up fees (sewer connection)

• Licenses/permits

Beyond this are the costs of advertising and marketing your laundromat,including signage, and ongoing operating costs including maintenance and labor costs.

Many laundomat owners are now taking a more creative approach to today's laundry business, offering services beyond basic washer/dryer services. In light of the fact that single-person households and two-incomefamilies having been increasing leaving less time to do the wash, many laundries are offering wash and fold service, along with pickup and delivery; some laundries are even building in coffee bars and food services. As in any business, creativity can only help your business.