Laundromat Business Ideas from the Laundry Nerd Podcast
John Abbott runs a wash-dry-fold service at Johnny Rabbit’s Laundromat in Pelham, Alabama, with an eye on the long game. Randy Radtke continues his conversation with John in Part 2 of a three-part Laundry Nerd podcast series, digging into his wash-dry-fold service and other laundromat business choices he’s made.
1. How Wash-Dry-Fold Got Started
His store wasn’t initially built for wash-dry-fold service. John says customers started bringing in bags of laundry within the first month, with no advertising at all. Curious about how he pivoted and how he priced it? Be sure to tune into the episode to find out.
2. Invest in the Team Behind the Counter
John designed his wash-dry-fold service around keeping his team for the long term. To get there, he made a trade-off that may surprise other owners. What did he give up? Hear John explain it in the episode.
“I want them to take ownership. I want them to take control as if it’s their own.” John Abbott, Johnny Rabbit’s Laundromat owner
3. Sell an Experience, Not Just Clean Clothes
At Johnny Rabbit’s, the experience starts in the parking lot, before customers ever reach the commercial laundromat equipment inside. John shares some insights around why he thinks customers choose his laundromat over others.
4. The Laundromat Business Structure Behind Store Two
John and his wife set up a holding company that owns a separate LLC for each location, a business structure that he says keeps every store’s books clean. He has nine potential sites mapped out, including one near three existing laundromats, a choice that may surprise you. Get the full plan in the episode. Owners weighing a similar setup should review it with their own attorney and accountant.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Test
John calls his first store the laboratory: he’s tried several different approaches, keeping what works and throwing out what doesn’t. Growing this way may take three times as long, he says, but he’s willing to wait.
Listen Now
Listen to the latest Laundry Nerd episode, “Johnny Rabbit’s Laundromat Chat, Part 2 – The crazy Wash-dry-fold strategy” on Podbean, or find the Laundry Nerd podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Did you miss Part 1? Catch up now and stay tuned for the closing Part 3.
