How Laundromat Coffee Shop Makes Money
Apr
What if doing your laundry felt more like visiting your favorite neighborhood café? That’s the promise behind laundromat coffee shops — a new wave of hybrid businesses that are transforming one of life’s most mundane chores into a relaxing, even enjoyable, experience.
These innovative spaces combine the practicality of a self-service laundry with the ambiance and comfort of a specialty coffee shop. The result? A business model that doesn’t just clean clothes — it captures attention, drives foot traffic, and boosts customer spending by turning waiting time into quality time.
Look how they look:
In this article, we’ll break down the laundromat coffee shop business model, explore how these hybrid spaces make money, look at real-world examples, and analyze whether this concept is scalable for entrepreneurs looking to modernize traditional industries.
Contents
What Is a Laundromat Coffee Shop?
A laundromat coffee shop — also called a laundry café or laundry lounge — is a hybrid business model that combines two seemingly unrelated services: self-service laundry and a coffee shop. While at first glance this might sound like an unusual mix, it’s rooted in a simple insight: Laundry takes time, and most people don’t enjoy waiting.
By offering a comfortable place to relax, work, or socialize while their clothes wash and dry, these businesses turn idle time into quality time — and more importantly, into profit.
This model is particularly popular in urban areas, where people are more likely to use laundromats due to limited in-home washer/dryer access. But its appeal is growing beyond convenience alone. These spaces are designed to offer experience, not just utility — combining stylish interiors, artisan coffee, Wi-Fi, and often even local events or art displays.
At their best, laundromat cafés aren’t just places to do laundry. They become community hubs, attracting students, freelancers, families, and anyone who values a pleasant and productive environment.
How Laundromat Coffee Shops Makes Money
Laundromat coffee shops make money through a combination of self-service laundry machines and café sales (food and beverage in general, not only coffee). While customers use the laundry machines, they can also buy coffee, snacks, and other refreshments — which typically have high profit margins. Some locations also offer premium laundry services like pickup and delivery. This combination of self-service laundry, café sales, and added conveniences creates several income streams from each customer visit.
Below are the main ways these businesses generate income:
Self-Service Laundry Machines
This is the foundation of the business. Customers pay to use washers and dryers, either with coins, cards, or mobile payment apps.
Revenue depends on:
- Machine capacity and number of units
- Price per load
- Volume of foot traffic
- Operational efficiency (machine uptime, turnover)
This stream provides a steady, predictable cash flow.
Coffee, Beverages, and Light Food
The café side of the business adds a high-margin layer to what would otherwise be a purely utilitarian service. Customers waiting for their laundry are naturally inclined to buy a drink or snack — especially in a comfortable setting with good design and Wi-Fi.
Offerings typically include:
- Coffee and espresso drinks
- Teas, juices, or kombucha
- Pastries, cookies, or light meals (bagels, sandwiches, etc.)
This stream can significantly boost the average ticket size per customer and even attract walk-ins who aren’t doing laundry.
Premium Laundry Services
Not every customer wants to handle their laundry themselves. Offering additional services appeals to busy individuals and creates opportunities for upselling.
These include:
- Wash & fold services
- Ironing or steaming
- Pickup and delivery laundry service (a growing demand in urban areas)
- Dry cleaning (either in-house or through partnerships)
Premium services command higher prices and allow for recurring revenue through subscription or bulk packages.
Additional Ways to Make Money with a Laundromat Coffee Shop
Many laundromat cafés explore extra ways to monetize their space, often with minimal overhead.
Some examples:
- Retail products: branded merchandise, eco-friendly detergents, dryer balls, reusable laundry bags
- Vending machines: snacks, drinks, laundry supplies, or even tech accessories (chargers, headphones)
- Wi-Fi upsell or coworking fees: in select locations, charging for high-speed access or offering desk space
- ATM or payment kiosk revenue sharing
- Ads or displays: Local businesses pay to promote within your space
These streams may be smaller individually but can collectively add meaningful passive income.
Laundromat Coffee Shop Business Model Canvas
To understand how laundromat coffee shops operate and succeed, it’s helpful to break down their structure using the Business Model Canvas. This tool outlines the core building blocks of a business, from its target customers to revenue and cost structure.
Customer Segments
Laundromat coffee shops typically serve a mix of:
- Urban dwellers without in-unit laundry
- Students and young professionals
- Remote workers and freelancers
- Travelers or tourists (in high-traffic areas)
- Eco-conscious or experience-driven consumers
This model especially appeals to people looking to combine productivity, relaxation, and practicality in one place.
Value Propositions
The business delivers value by:
- Turning chore time into a comfortable, even enjoyable, experience
- Offering high-quality coffee and a relaxing atmosphere
- Providing multiple services in a single location
- Creating a social, community-oriented space
- Offering eco-friendly options (green laundry machines, sustainable products)
Convenience, comfort, and atmosphere are central to the brand promise.
Channels
Laundromat cafés typically reach and serve their customers through:
- Walk-in traffic in high-visibility locations
- Local SEO and Google Maps (crucial for “laundromat near me” searches)
- Social media (especially Instagram and TikTok to showcase the space)
- Word of mouth and community presence
- Loyalty programs or email newsletters for retention
Customer Relationships
Successful businesses in this space often cultivate strong relationships through:
- Friendly, welcoming in-store experiences
- Barista-led customer service that encourages repeat visits
- Loyalty rewards for laundry and café purchases
- Hosting events to build community
- Personalized upsells (remembering a customer’s drink order, for example)
The goal is to shift the mindset from “errand” to “experience.”
Revenue Streams
Revenue comes from multiple complementary sources:
- Self-service laundry machines
- Coffee, beverage, and food sales
- Premium laundry services (wash & fold, ironing, pickup & delivery)
- Additional income from vending machines and retail product sales
Diversification increases average spend per customer.
Key Resources
To operate effectively, these businesses rely on:
- Commercial washers and dryers
- Coffee equipment (espresso machine, grinders, etc.)
- A well-designed, welcoming physical space
- Strong local supply partnerships
- Reliable utility infrastructure (water, power, drainage)
Key Activities
Ongoing daily operations include:
- Maintaining laundry machines and keeping the space clean
- Preparing and serving food and drinks
- Managing inventory and suppliers
- Handling customer service across both business areas
- Marketing and promoting the brand locally
- Scheduling and executing additional services (wash & fold, dry cleaning)
Key Partnerships
Strategic partnerships help optimize operations and enhance the brand. These may include:
- Local coffee roasters or bakeries
- Laundry equipment providers and maintenance companies
- Delivery or pickup services (e.g., for wash & fold or retail)
Cost Structure
Main cost drivers in this business include:
- Equipment purchase and maintenance
- Rent and utilities (especially water and electricity)
- Staff wages (often baristas + laundry attendants)
- Ingredients and product supplies
- Licensing and insurance
- Marketing and local advertising
While startup costs can be high, the recurring expenses are manageable with steady traffic and diversified revenue.
Real-World Laundromat Coffee Shop Examples
While the laundromat coffee shop model may still be emerging, several standout businesses around the world have already proven that this hybrid concept can work — and even thrive — when executed well. Below are a few notable examples that bring the business model to life in unique and inspiring ways.
Coffee & Laundry (Hong Kong)
Located in Sheung Wan, Coffee & Laundry is Hong Kong’s first 24-hour self-service laundromat combined with a takeaway coffee bar. Patrons can enjoy quality coffee while waiting for their laundry, making the chore more pleasant and time-efficient.
Wasbar (Belgium)
With locations in cities like Ghent and Antwerp, Wasbar combines a bar, restaurant, and laundromat under one roof. Customers can do their laundry while enjoying a meal or drink in a cozy setting. The concept aims to transform the traditional laundromat experience into a social and enjoyable activity.
Hangout Laundry (Singapore)
Opened in December 2024 in Bedok North, Hangout Laundry reimagines the laundromat experience by offering a comfortable, air-conditioned environment with free Wi-Fi and a coffee machine. The venue also hosts social events, turning laundry into a communal and enjoyable activity.
1851 Laundry Coffee (São Paulo, Brazil)
1851 Laundry Coffee combines self-service laundry facilities with a cozy café environment. This fusion allows customers to enjoy quality beverages and a comfortable space while attending to their laundry needs. The establishment emphasizes creating a welcoming atmosphere, aiming to make patrons feel at home.
Challenges of the Hybrid Model
While laundromat coffee shops offer a unique and promising business model, combining two operationally different businesses under one roof also introduces a set of challenges. Success depends not only on execution but also on anticipating and managing these complexities.
High Initial Investment
Starting a laundromat coffee shop typically requires a significant upfront investment. Commercial washers and dryers are expensive, and outfitting a quality café with the right equipment and ambiance adds additional cost. Beyond hardware, entrepreneurs must also invest in renovations, branding, and compliance-related infrastructure (plumbing, ventilation, grease traps, etc.).
Licensing and Compliance
Because this is a hybrid business, it falls under multiple regulatory categories. Owners need permits for both food service and laundry operations, which may involve health inspections, zoning restrictions, and safety compliance. Navigating these regulations — especially in dense urban areas — can be time-consuming and costly.
Cleanliness and Customer Expectations
Maintaining a spotless environment is non-negotiable. Customers expect laundry facilities to be clean and hygienic, and the café side needs to meet even higher standards. Managing detergent odors, moisture, and noise while preserving a relaxing atmosphere is a balancing act that requires smart design and constant upkeep.
Operational Complexity
You’re not running one business — you’re running two. This means double the training, inventory, workflows, and customer service standards. A breakdown in either side (a broken washer or a bad cup of coffee) can impact the overall customer experience. Streamlined operations and cross-trained staff are critical.
Finding the Right Location
The success of a laundromat coffee shop is highly location-dependent. It needs to be in an area with:
- High foot traffic
- A large population without in-unit laundry
- A culture that values cafés and lifestyle experiences
Finding a space that meets these criteria — and is large enough for both functions — can be a challenge in competitive real estate markets.
Staffing and Management
You may need staff with very different skill sets: baristas who understand café service and attendants who know how to maintain laundry machines. Building a team that can deliver consistently across both domains is essential, especially if you plan to offer premium services or extended hours.
Is This Business Model Scalable?
The laundromat coffee shop model has proven to be both innovative and effective in local markets — but can it scale?
The answer is: yes, with the right conditions. However, scalability depends on balancing operational complexity with a replicable customer experience, and tailoring each location to its local context.
Franchise Potential
Because the concept blends routine utility with a lifestyle experience, it lends itself well to franchising. With strong branding, standardized operations, and supplier relationships, entrepreneurs could replicate this model in other urban areas or university towns.
Multi-Location Growth
Owners of a single laundromat café can expand to nearby neighborhoods with similar demographics. Once systems are in place — especially for inventory, staffing, and logistics — additional locations benefit from shared processes and brand awareness.
Digital Expansion
Offering pickup and delivery services can expand the laundry side of the business beyond the four walls of the shop. Paired with online ordering or loyalty apps, this opens new revenue streams while serving a broader customer base.
Hybrid Variations
Entrepreneurs can also explore spin-offs and variations on the model, such as:
- Laundromat + coworking space
- Laundry café + dog wash station
- Laundry café + community workshop or art space
The core idea — combining a routine service with a desirable experience — can be adapted in many creative ways.
Scalability Challenges
Despite the upside, scaling this business model isn’t without hurdles:
- Operational complexity increases with each new location
- Consistency in customer experience is critical and harder to maintain across multiple sites
- Local real estate constraints may limit ideal expansion zones
- Staff training and retention become more difficult when managing multiple teams with specialized roles
That said, these are challenges shared by many modern hybrid businesses — and they can be overcome with strong systems, processes, and leadership.
Final Thoughts
The laundromat coffee shop business model is more than a novelty — it’s a practical, experience-driven solution to modern urban living. Combining an essential service with a high-margin lifestyle offering, creates a differentiated brand experience and unlocks new streams of revenue.
For entrepreneurs looking to modernize “boring” businesses or disrupt traditional industries, laundromat cafés are a compelling example of what’s possible when you rethink how — and where — value is created.
