Your clothes never look new for long, do they?
You've probably noticed that once you've washed a favorite sweater a couple of times, it starts to pill (where the fibers break down, producing a "bobbling" effect on the surface of the fabric). Pilling is caused by the agitation of the washing machine drum, affecting the material surface of your clothes.
Some clothes, of course, should never go into washing machines because they're too delicate or will lose their shape from being immersed in water. And this is where dry cleaning franchises are essential, offering gentle laundry solutions, using chemical solvents rather than water.
Dry cleaning is the safest way to clean delicate materials, from clothing to curtains and couch covers to rugs or carpets. And, contrary to the name, dry cleaning uses liquids to lift dirt, grease, and stains from garments.
Dry cleaning franchises sometimes include a full laundromat and coin laundry service, as well as home pick-up and delivery services. However, most dry cleaning franchises stick with specialist cleaning, offering the safe maintenance of high-value items.
There are an estimated 35,000 dry cleaning and laundry businesses in the United States, bringing in an annual revenue of around $11 billion.
And while the rise of household washing machines is the principal competitor for dry cleaning services, there are certain items that no consumer should put through a domestic washing cycle.
In general, dry cleaning and laundry franchises make around $1 in profit per garment or item cleaned.
Franchising
When we're talking about people's favorite garments, there's a significant degree of trust involved. Consumers want to know that their clothes are in professional hands, and this is where franchising comes into its own.
When you invest in a dry cleaning franchise opportunity, you inherit the parent company's instantly recognizable branding. This means that your future customers are familiar with your reputation before you've even opened your doors for the first time.
Recognizable branding brings valuable curb appeal to your new business, offering the promise of trustworthy experts who know precisely how to care for beloved garments.
And this is where the franchise model is super-beneficial because most parent companies don't just give you the branding; they give you comprehensive training that ensures you meet the expert levels of service that reinforces their hard-earned reputation.
As well as excellent training opportunities, parent companies of dry cleaning franchises often provide a range of business and HR support functions to help ensure that your business runs in adherence with business, financial, and employment laws.
One of the things that keep independent company owners awake at night is compliance - the fear that they're not adhering to all of the business regulations expected of them. Dry cleaning franchises usually have this in the bag, meaning that franchisees can just get on with the work they love: serving grateful customers.
Franchising offers:
- Distinct branding that helps your new business stand out
- A ready-built reputation for excellent service and customer satisfaction
- Curb appeal and existing customer recognition
- Exceptional training and HR support
Facts About Dry Cleaning and Laundry Franchises
The first dry cleaners in the United States opened 200 years ago, in the 1820s. Thomas Jennings ran the first successful dry cleaning and tailoring service in New York, but it took around 100 years for the business to really take off. Now, approximately 35,000 dry cleaning businesses are operating in the US.
As global temperatures rise, consumer demand for better environmental practices emerges. Dry cleaning traditionally uses a range of chemicals that are considered potentially damaging to the water table. However, safer cleaning methods are becoming standard practice.
One particular dry cleaning method uses a small amount of CO2 (carbon dioxide) rather than PERC (the product used in traditional chemical cleaning). Green dry cleaners are growing in popularity - especially in cities.
The pandemic has affected dry cleaning businesses as people are working from home more. Throughout 2020, demand diminished as people did not need formal wear. However, as we reap the benefits of vaccination, people are starting to return to their workplaces, triggering the need for dry cleaning once again.
Dry cleaning franchises service delicate garments and textures, such as leather, suede, and fur. Many dry cleaning franchises offer a range of tailoring and alteration services to boost their income.
Additionally, some dry cleaning and laundry franchises offer additional services such as folding, ironing, and pressing for general garments - essential services for busy professionals.
If you think you've ruined your favorite coat, take it to a dry cleaner - they'll know how to clean the garment and make it look (and smell) like new.
Dry cleaning actually makes clothes last longer. Washing machines slowly cause damage to most fabrics because of the drum agitation - dry cleaning avoids this harsh action.
Franchising Vs. Independent
Franchises require an initial investment - and for that investment, you receive a solution that helps you get your new business up and running, ready for business. Dry cleaning franchises offer access to an existing supply chain and a customer base of people who already know and trust you.
Most people don't necessarily have immediate access to the types of funds you need to start up your franchise business, but this isn't necessarily an obstacle to getting started. Banks and moneylenders favor the franchise business model because the operation has already been proven viable, profitable, and sustainable.
Independent businesses generally struggle to achieve startup funds because their business model has yet to be proven sustainable and viable. Franchisees tend to get favorable interest rates that reflect the stability of their company model, whereas independent business owners suffer poor interest rates and higher repayments.
This all contributes to a frightening statistic: almost 50% of all new independent companies that start up without the support of an established and experienced partnership go into receivership within three years of opening.
On the other hand, dry cleaning and laundry franchises that enjoy the ongoing support from an established partner tend to thrive from the moment they open their doors to the public.
Dry cleaning franchises offer a tested and successful service, instantly recognizable branding, and a prior reputation.
Dry Cleaning and Laundry Franchises
Check out our selection of dry cleaning and laundry franchise opportunities, and help American wardrobes and certain other household fabrics sparkle like new.
You can also check out many more exciting opportunities, such as Cleaning Franchises, Carpet Cleaning Franchises, Commercial Cleaning Franchises and Janitorial Franchises, here on Franchise Direct.