Laundromat for Sale: Valuation Benchmarks and Deal Analysis
Looking to buy a laundromat? This guide covers coin laundry operations, self-service laundry businesses, attended laundromats, wash-and-fold services, and hybrid laundry facilities. Use our free valuation benchmarks to evaluate how much a laundromat costs and whether the deal makes financial sense.
These benchmarks reflect acquisition data across the laundromat and coin laundry sector. The typical laundromat sells for 2.0x to 3.0x seller's discretionary earnings, with a median asking price around $300,000. Pricing varies significantly based on equipment age, lease terms, and whether the business offers attended wash-and-fold services in addition to self-service machines.
Median SDE Multiple
2.3x
Range: 2.0x - 3.0x
Median Asking Price
$300K
Varies by market
Median Cash Flow
$120K
SDE / year
SBA Default Rate
3.8%
Below avg (5.1%)
Laundromats with newer equipment packages (less than 5 years old) and long-term leases (10+ years remaining) tend to sell at the higher end of the multiple range. Unattended coin-only operations with aging machines typically trade at or below 2.0x SDE.
Score Any Laundromat Deal in 60 Seconds
The Bulletproof Deal Calculator evaluates laundromat acquisitions against 5 criteria that are 2x stricter than what banks require. Enter the asking price, cash flow, and revenue to get an instant Bulletproof Score with SBA financing projections, stress test results, and laundry industry benchmarks.
The Bulletproof Deal Calculator with laundromat industry benchmarks selected. Try it free →
What Makes a Bulletproof Laundromat Deal
Laundromats look simple on the surface, but bad deals are everywhere. Here's what we look for when scoring a laundromat acquisition:
✓ DSCR 2.0x or higher (banks only need 1.25x, but laundromats face equipment replacement costs that can spike unexpectedly)
✓ Purchase multiple at or below 3.0x SDE (most laundromats should trade below 2.5x unless equipment is brand new)
✓ Owner cash flow of $100K/year or more after all debt service (enough to justify the time investment even in a semi-passive model)
✓ At least 3 months of working capital reserves (utility bills and equipment repairs don't wait for slow months)
✓ Survives a 20% revenue drop (if a competitor opens nearby or utility costs spike, can you still cover debt service?)
Laundromat Deals Worth Watching
We regularly scan the major marketplaces and score laundromat deals against our Bulletproof criteria. Here are a few examples that show how the numbers play out in real coin laundry listings.
Attended Laundromat with Wash-and-Fold, South Florida
Purchase multiple of 2.0x is excellent for a laundromat with wash-and-fold revenue. DSCR of 3.1x provides strong debt coverage. Equipment replaced within the last 4 years. 12-year lease remaining with favorable terms.
Multiple is within range but on the higher side for a coin-only operation without wash-and-fold. The location is strong with high foot traffic and limited competition. Negotiating the price to $325K would push this into Bulletproof territory.
At 4.2x SDE, this deal is significantly overpriced. Equipment is 8+ years old, meaning replacement costs are imminent. DSCR would fall below 1.25x on standard SBA terms. The seller would need to come down to roughly $240,000 for this to work.
Laundromats are among the most commonly SBA-financed small business acquisitions. Lenders view the industry favorably because of predictable cash flows, recession-resistant demand (people always need clean clothes), and relatively low default rates.
Typical SBA Deal Structure for Laundromats
Most laundromat acquisitions follow the 80/10/10 model: 80% SBA 7(a) loan (up to $5M, 10-year term), 10% seller financing (typically 5-year term at 5-6%), and 10% buyer equity injection. Some SBA lenders will finance up to 90% if the laundromat has strong verifiable income and a long lease.
What Laundromat Lenders Look For
SBA lenders evaluating laundromat deals focus heavily on the remaining lease term (should match or exceed the loan term), the age and condition of washers and dryers, utility cost history (water and gas are the biggest variable expenses), and whether the income can be verified through bank statements and tax returns. Many laundromats operate with significant cash revenue, which can complicate the verification process.
The Bulletproof Deal Calculator models SBA financing automatically, including guarantee fees, monthly payments, and cash-on-cash return. Score a laundromat deal now →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to buy a laundromat?
The typical laundromat sells for $200,000 to $500,000 depending on the number of machines, location, lease terms, and annual cash flow. Our database shows a median asking price around $300,000. Small unattended coin-only operations may list below $150,000, while larger attended laundromats with wash-and-fold services and modern equipment can exceed $600,000. Use the free Bulletproof Deal Calculator to analyze any specific deal.
Is a laundromat a good investment?
Laundromats can be excellent investments because of their semi-passive operating model, recession-resistant demand, and all-cash revenue. The SBA default rate for laundry businesses is approximately 3.8%, well below the 5.1% small business average. The biggest risks to watch are equipment age (a full equipment replacement can cost $100,000+), lease terms (a short lease gives the landlord leverage to raise rent), and competition from new laundromats opening nearby.
How much does a laundromat owner make?
Laundromat owners typically earn $80,000 to $200,000 per year in seller's discretionary earnings before debt service. Net owner income after SBA loan payments on a median-priced laundromat usually falls between $50,000 and $120,000 per year. Adding wash-and-fold services can increase revenue by 20-40% compared to coin-only operations. The Bulletproof Deal Calculator shows your projected owner cash flow after all debt payments.
What is a good price for a laundromat?
A good price for a laundromat is at or below 2.5x seller's discretionary earnings. The industry median multiple is 2.3x SDE, with a range of 2.0x to 3.0x. Laundromats with brand-new equipment, long-term below-market leases, and established wash-and-fold services may justify the higher end of that range. Anything above 3.0x SDE requires exceptional circumstances to pencil out financially.
Can I finance a laundromat with an SBA loan?
Yes, laundromats are commonly financed through SBA 7(a) loans. The standard structure is 80/10/10: 80% SBA loan, 10% seller financing, and 10% buyer equity. Lenders will focus on the remaining lease term, equipment condition, utility cost trends, and whether income is verifiable through bank statements and tax returns. Cash-heavy businesses can face extra scrutiny during underwriting. The Bulletproof Deal Calculator models SBA financing for laundromat acquisitions automatically.
Score Your Laundromat Deal in 60 Seconds
Enter the asking price, cash flow, and revenue. Get your Bulletproof Score, SBA financing math, and laundromat industry benchmarks. Free, no account needed.
