episode 30

Softmount washer-extractors deliver exceptional G-Force to remove more water from loads than most hardmount units. Does that make them the go-to answer for all laundromats? Mike Hand, Alliance’s vice president of North America Commercial Sales, joins us to walk through the considerations.

episode 29

Whether your laundromat is your primary business or a secondary income source, devoting enough time to management can be challenging. Ann Korhnak is back to share time management strategies to help maximize this finite resource.

episode 28

With increased competition for locations, often growing your laundromat business through acquiring an existing store can be a solid option. Tina Gough, senior finance sales specialist, joins us to chat about factors to consider in purchasing laundromat and how acquisition financing streamlines the process.

episode 27

Alliance Laundry Systems, parent company of Speed Queen, has been quite active in the last several years acquiring distributors, as well as reorganizing sales, and expanding on its world leader status with new products and services.  In this month’s Laundromat Insights podcast we chat with Craig Dakauskas, Senior Vice President of Americas Commercial, to learn more about Alliance’s recent activities and how they benefit customers.  

episode 26

Ann Korhnak, general manager of spare parts at Alliance Laundry Systems, is back for part two of this important topic. We pick up the discussion where we left off last time – stressing the significance of the research phase.

episode 25

Every business, no matter the industry, needs a business strategy. Without this roadmap, owners are just operating day to day. In part one of this two-part episode, Ann Korhnak, general manager of spare parts at Alliance Laundry Systems, joins us again to share her experience in crafting this important strategy document.

episode 24

episode 23

Bryan Donegan is offering his customers the ultimate in multitasking opportunities – a combination fitness club and laundromat. Laundry 24 and 24 Fitness are making an impact from their location just outside the gates of Fort Drum in New York.

episode 22

Bruce has been covering the laundry industry for decades. We sit down with him and ask burning questions like, where the industry will be years from now, and whether he does laundry.

episode 21

Liberty Laundry in Peterborough, New Hampshire recently transitioned to touchscreens and technology. We chat with owner, Matt Zinicola about the upgrade, and what it’s like operating a laundromat in the community the play “Our Town” was based on.

episode 20

In this episode, we meet Ann Korhnak, general manager of spare parts at Alliance Laundry Systems, learn about the parts headwinds facing all industries, and get a glimpse of what’s to come.

episode 19

The 2022 Clean Show is upon us. We’ll chat tips for attending the show and why you must consider the lost opportunity cost of long lead times for products.

episode 18

Dave Menz, AKA the Laundromat Millionaire, is back for part two of our conversation. This time around we chat operations, books, and the Laundromat Millionaire Conference.

episode 17

Dave Menz, AKA the Laundromat Millionaire, wears many hats – successful business owner, author, podcaster. In this first of a two-part series, we talk about how his start in life in Flint, Mich. equipped him with the grit to overcome hurdles and achieve success on a variety of levels.

episode 16

Big Waves Laundromat in Santa Monica made an immediate impact when it opened in 2020. It’s owner, quickly fell in love with the business and began planning for a second location. In this episode, we’re joined by Wade Hickok to talk about the new location and what new owners should know about expanding to store number two.

episode 15

n the laundromat business, going it alone can be costly. This is why a full-service distributor is so important. We’re joined by Justin Meerman, sales manager at Hynes and Waller, Inc. in Marlboro, Md., and Mike Fox, sales manager at Alliance Laundry Systems Distribution (formerly Washburn Machinery) in Chicago to talk about what full-service distribution means for laundromat owners.

episode 14

The Coin Laundry Association (CLA) is the backbone of the laundromat industry, and it has a definite pulse on its overall health. In this episode, Brian Wallace, president and CEO of the CLA, discusses topics such as the current state and future of the industry, Laundry Cares Foundation, and frequent flyer miles.

episode 13

Quality doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of a concerted effort to accept nothing less than excellence. In this episode, Brad Nye, vice president of operations, discusses how his team turns out consistently great products each day.

episode 12

Coming off a year of historic low interest rates, 2022 could be more challenging with inflation and possible rate hikes. Jeff Harvey, manager of U.S. underwriting for Alliance Laundry Systems sorts it all out for us.

episode 11

The laundromat business continues to see franchise options introduced to markets. In this episode, we’re joined by Dan Bowe, general manager of North America franchise and retail operations, who discusses the company’s beginnings in laundromat operations with company-owned stores, the learnings gathered from that time, and the transition to the franchise option of today.

episode 10

episode 09

episode 08

Less than a year in, Jessica Haney’s  Jess’s  Laundry Wash and Fold in Lake Dallas, Texas has a booming wash-dry-fold business. In this episode we’ll chat about her commitment to customer service, what she looks for in employees…oh, and we’ll learn just why customers rave about the smell of her laundromat.

episode 07

While many new investors come to the laundromat business later in life, Mike Gilley jumped in very early on…like high school age early. In this episode he shares that initial start and how he built Laundry & Tan Connection into an enterprise spanning several states.

episode 06

episode 05

episode 04

episode 03

We’re tackling the big T in this episode – Technology. Joining us to talk all things laundromat technology is Aubrey Pollesch, laundromat sales development manager at Alliance. We’ll give an overview of available technology in three major categories – business operations, analytics and marketing. This is a great “get your feet wet” bucket of content focused on laundromat technology.

episode 02

You’re interested in opening up a laundromat business and you have questions on financing. We’ve got Jeff with the answers. In this episode, Jeff Harvey, Alliance’s manager of U.S. underwriting walks us through the various options for financing a vended laundry as well as the steps to streamline the process, from getting pre-approved to management of the note.

episode 01

Jennifer Butzlaff, Alliance’s marketing business partner for the laundromat segment, joins us for the inaugural episode of the Laundromat Insights Podcast. We talk “laundry nerdom,” the changing image of laundromats and the basics that make the laundromat business great, including management ease, fantastic return on investment and a great customer experience.