LaundroLab Signs First Charlotte-Based Franchise, Anticipates Up to 12 More in the Market

LaundroLab is on a fast track to acquire franchisees after developing a luxury laundromat system geared to unhinge the traditional norms of laundromat services. Its corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina is seeking to expand its franchise base within its host city, enticing franchisees with a semi-absentee model and a system geared to make a laundromat a community center.

The positioning will help the brand grow in the next decade. Investor Gary Shah has signed a three-unit agreement in Charlotte after previously operating a collection of gas stations in North Carolina. LaundroLab anticipates a Charlotte market capacity that is capable of supporting 12 additional franchises, and Shah’s insights will be able to lay a groundwork for successful expansion throughout the market and throughout the state.

Dan D’Aquisto, the president of LaundroLab, says the brand is eager to grow in Charlotte due to the close proximity to its corporate office and existing corporate-owned location, The Laundry Room. “We’ll be able to provide immediate assistance to our franchisees everywhere, but it will be extremely easy for our franchises in Charlotte to receive instant support based on proximity alone,” he said. “We feel that a presence in the city we are headquartered in will help us grow quickly into additional markets, too.”

“There truly is a need for a standout laundromat in this country, and we’ve seen it directly in Charlotte,” D’Aquisto added. “It’s important for us to give back to the city where our corporate office calls home.”

Charlotte has a population of more than 850,000 people, with a metro population approaching 3 million. The median household income (in 2019 dollars) was $62,817, and the LaundroLab team believes there are multiple markets where they can establish a sizable presence. “We’ve been able to target all sorts of real estate opportunities in Charlotte, and this city has only continued to grow over time,” D’Aquisto said.

LaundroLab franchises offer amenities and a welcoming environment that has been largely disregarded within the laundromat industry. By embracing a community-first attitude and atmosphere, the brand has been able to develop a market advantage in record time.

“Our mission is to give these amenities to people who need them the most,” D’Aquisto said. LaundroLab is targeting customers in Charlotte who live within a one- to three-mile radius of a higher-rent area. People in these communities may have access to laundry centers, but their existing laundry facilities might be poorly maintained or lacking the services of a modernized LaundroLab facility.

The LaundroLab business format allows franchisees to work under a semi-absentee model, meaning they need to work as little as 5-10 hours each week to satisfy business needs. Franchisees are able to work with remote flexibility, and each Laundrolab unit requires only a handful of employees per location, a sizable advantage as other franchises may be facing labor shortages.

“We saw that our business was essential during COVID-19,” D’Aquisto said. “And we find it equally essential to deliver to a market of customers who are in need of an uplifting experience during an essential duty.” 

In addition to its targeted areas in higher-rent districts, the brand seeks to establish itself in areas where household size is between three to four people and average household income is at $40,000 or below.

The start-up costs for a new LaundroLab franchise ranges from $321,000-$483,000. A new LaundroLab investment can range anywhere from $321,330 to $482,650, which includes equipment, buildout, franchise fee, working capital and more. For more information on franchising, visit https://www.laundrolabfranchise.com/become-an-owner/.