The term coin/card laundry is defined as commercial grade, self-service laundry equipment placed into service in a retail space. Laundromats generally occupy retail space on long-term leases (17-30 years) and generate steady cash flow over the life of the lease. Laundromats are unique small businesses in that they have no inventory or receivables.

Laundromats range in market value from $75,000.00 to $1,000,000 and can generate gross revenues between $100,000 and $750,000 per year. Revenue is comprised of self-service use of washers and tumblers, dry-cleaning drop-off service, wash and fold drop–off service, and vended sales, which include soap, video games, pay phone, sodas and snacks. Business hours typically run from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week and some are open 24 hours a day. New coin/card laundries are valued based on actual construction and equipment costs; while existing coin/card laundries are valued based primarily on revenues. Coin/card laundries are perfect examples of passive-income generators. Coin/card laundries are also referred to as "coin-op laundries," "coin-operated laundries," or "laundromats."

Coin/card laundries are one part of the self-service laundry business; the industry is actually comprised of two distinct segments. The first is coin-op laundries, and the second is represented by coin-operated machines located in apartment housing. This "apartment" segment of the business is referred to as the "multi-housing laundry business" or the "coin/card route business." These two segments frequently overlap; in more mature markets, the self service laundry business is estimated to be evenly split between the two. The self service laundry market consists of an estimated primary customer base of 89 million people living in rental housing, as of the 1990 U.S. Census. The secondary customer base consists of the non-rental population, which uses coin/card laundries only occasionally. The coin/card laundry industry is approximately 50 years old, and is primarily composed of individual owner/operators. No significant franchises are in operation at this time.

Currently, there are around 35,000 coin/card laundries in the United States, generating several billion dollars in gross revenue annually. Clean clothes, like food and shelter, are considered a necessity of life-- and coin/card laundries provide a basic health service for millions of Americans. While coin-ops are found in virtually all neighborhoods across the country, stores seem to perform exceptionally well in predominately renter-occupied, densely-populated areas. These areas are increasing in number with each year throughout the country. The intense population growth, coupled with the expansion of rental housing has increased the customer base for coin/card laundries. Coin/card laundries thrive in periods of both growth and recession. During periods of recession, when home ownership decreases, the self service laundry market expands as more people are unable to afford to repair, replace, or purchase new washers and dryers, or as they move to apartment housing with inadequate or nonexistent laundry facilities. The market size grows proportionately to the increase in population. Revenues of a coin/card laundry rarely vary from month to month. The public will always need this basic health service...people always need to wash clothes!

Industry growth is based on the demographics of population density, population mix, and population income. The more concentrated the population, the greater the need for quality coin/card laundry facilities. National and regional demographics indicate renters, the primary users of coin/card laundries, are the fastest-growing segment in the nation. As of the 1990 U.S. Census, 35.8% of the nation's 94.6 million households were renter occupied, up from 34% in 1980. The number of coin/card laundry stores built over the past 40 years has grown steadily as the population has increased and shifted to more concentrated areas. The end result has been a mature, stabilized industry with predictable rates of turnover and values of existing coin/card laundries; development of new "turn-key" facilities; and, equipment expansion and replacement. Today's coin/card laundry industry is a strong and vibrant one. Even more appealing is the fact that this dependable public service industry continues to grow and thrive. The demographic trends toward an even greater "apartment dwelling" segment of the population predict continued prosperity.