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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: ZIPS is a garment care franchise that specializes in high-quality dry cleaning and laundry services with a focus on efficiency and consumer value.
ZIPS Cleaners is a garment care brand built around speed, simplicity and value. Known for its "In by 9, out by 5" same-day service promise, the company offers dry cleaning, laundering, wash-and-fold services, alterations, pickup and delivery, and commercial cleaning solutions through a model designed to make clothing care more convenient and more affordable for customers.
Founded in the Baltimore-Washington region in 2002, ZIPS was created to challenge many of the industry's long-standing conventions. At a time when dry cleaners typically charged different prices for different garments, the founders introduced a straightforward approach centered on one low price for any dry-cleaned item, paired with faster turnaround times and transparent policies. The concept gained traction throughout the Mid-Atlantic, and the company began franchising in 2006, using its high-volume, low-cost operating model to expand into new markets across the country.
Mission: The brand's mission is to help customers look and feel their best through convenient, high-quality clothing care backed by same-day service and everyday low prices.
Vision: ZIPS aims to make garment care more accessible by delivering a faster, simpler and more affordable experience that fits seamlessly into customers' daily lives.
ZIPS currently has territories available nationwide, including top markets in Cherry Hill and Englewood, New Jersey; Frederick, Maryland; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
Visit the ZIP franchise website for more information on available markets.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a ZIPS Cleaners franchise ranges from $867,700 to $1,287,000 for a plant facility, $226,200 to $432,000 for a drop facility, and $405,700 to $721,000 for a 24/7 drop facility. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Plant Facility | Drop Facility | 24/7 Drop Facility | |||
Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $40,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| New Store Marketing | $15,000 | $25,000 | $15,000 | $25,000 | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Real Property/Rent | $12,000 | $24,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Utility Deposits | $2,000 | $6,000 | $500 | $6,000 | $500 | $6,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $195,000 | $290,000 | $45,000 | $55,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| Architectural & Engineering Fees | $10,000 | $35,000 | $4,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Furnishings, Fixtures, Marketing Materials, Supplies & Other Branded Items | $28,000 | $35,000 | $28,000 | $35,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Insurance | $3,000 | $7,000 | $1,500 | $5,000 | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Signage | $13,000 | $20,000 | $13,000 | $20,000 | $13,000 | $20,000 |
| Point of Sale System/Technical Equipment | $35,000 | $45,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Software | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| Office Equipment & Supplies | $1,200 | $4,000 | $1,200 | $4,000 | $1,200 | $2,000 |
| Dry Cleaning/Laundry Production Equipment & Installation | $400,000 | $475,000 | $32,000 | $45,000 | $190,000 | $300,000 |
| Initial Production Supplies | $24,000 | $30,000 | $8,000 | $11,000 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Training | $500 | $30,000 | $500 | $5,000 | $0 | $2,500 |
| Licenses, Permits & Professional Fees | $1,500 | $13,500 | $1,500 | $13,500 | $1,500 | $13,500 |
| Delivery Van | - | - | $3,000 | $55,000 | $3,000 | $55,000 |
| Additional Operating Funds (6 Months) | $100,000 | $200,000 | $15,000 | $50,000 | $30,000 | $75,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for a first ZIPS Cleaners business is $40,000, with a reduced $20,000 fee for each additional location. Franchisees also pay a $7,500 initial software license fee, and those signing a development agreement pay a $10,000 development fee per location, which is credited toward each initial franchise fee.
ZIPS offers a 20% initial franchise fee discount to qualified veterans through the International Franchise Association’s VetFran Program. Qualified applicants converting an existing laundry or garment care business may instead pay a $10,000 conversion fee.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, ZIPS Cleaners franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 6% of royalty net sales/week |
| National Marketing Fund Contribution | 2% of royalty net sales/week |
| Regional Marketing Fund Contribution | 2% of royalty net sales/week |
| ZIPSsoft Software License & Service | $550/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 43 franchises operating for the entirety of 2025 reported the following revenue:
| Store Type | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Plant Stores (31) | $1,123,997 | $1,052,703 | $2,378,792 | $379,088 |
| Drop Stores (12) | $499,281 | $520,292 | $967,755 | $249,283 |
Pre-opening support includes following the provided site selection criteria with a reasonable amount of consultation and on-site evaluations. ZIPS will then review and approve a submitted site proposal by the franchisee. The franchisee will work with an architect, while following ZIPS generic layout, before sending it to the team for approval before construction begins. ZIPS construction representatives inspect the location during construction to ensure it aligns with accepted plans. For opening, ZIPS provides on-site assistance as deemed necessary by its personnel.
ZIPS requires a mandatory 160-hour training program with 60 hours in the classroom and 120 hours on the job for up to two people. The course covers customer service, production techniques, and store management. ZIPS may require up to four days of additional training or seminars per year to keep staff updated on new systems and techniques.
ZIPS provides extensive support to its franchisees, including comprehensive pre-opening assistance, such as site selection criteria and consultation, site proposal reviews, and architectural guidance based on the ZIPS generic layout. Construction representatives also provide inspections during the build-out phase. Furthermore, ZIPS offers strategic marketing support to drive customer acquisition, operational guidance, supply chain management, and proprietary technology (ZIPSsoft) to support daily store operations.
ZIPS utilizes ZIPSsoft software, a proprietary software program that supports store operations and must be licensed when the franchise agreement is signed.
ZIPS seeks passionate, business-savvy franchisees, including both single-unit and multi-unit operators. Ideal candidates are independent and competitive business owners—or aspiring ones—who are willing to learn from experienced leaders, implement the brand's proven system, and adhere to strict brand standards. Candidates should have 5 to 10 years of business operation experience, with a liquid asset requirement of $350,000 for single units ($600,000 for multi-unit) and a net worth of $700,000 for single units ($1,500,000 for multi-unit).
ZIPS requires franchisees to devote full-time attention to their business. Owners are expected to be actively involved in day-to-day operations and available to address issues that arise during normal business hours.
ZIPS does not offer any direct or indirect financing to franchisees.
“Innovation really matters. In the case of ZIPS, being a low-cost provider, being a lot faster than everyone else, and being technology-driven really help us stand out in the marketplace. We have a crystal-clear, black-and-white advantage over every other competitor in the space.”
- Allan Boomer, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Baltimore-Washington, D.C.
“Every store is thoroughly planned out to be able to clean thousands of garments every day and track them accurately. Without that I don’t know how successful this would be. What I like about the ZIPS corporate team is that they check in on you. If they notice your numbers dropping, they’ll reach out and ask, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ They check in on you and actually pay attention to the numbers in the reports.”
- Beth Flynn, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Virginia
“All of the office holders are hands-on people. They know the garment care business inside and out and are readily available. You can call them any time and they will help out.”
- Bashir Shams, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Maryland
The laundry and dry cleaning industry is projected to reach $118.7 billion by 2030 with a growing CAGR of 7.3% in a five-year span from 2025 to 2030.
ZIPS primary competitors include Tide Cleaners, WaveMAX Laundry and 1-800-DryClean.
The brand is competitive because of its competitive flat-rate pricing structure. That pricing structure is supported by same-day service, operational transparency and an open floor plan. Each ZIPS also includes flexibility of access and modern convenience.
Fill out and submit the online form on the ZIPS franchise website to get the process started.
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