In the near future the “old” method of expanding a dry cleaning business is going to change. In case you’re new to the industry I will explain the “old” method. Dry Cleaners would open a Plant location (which is the location where all the cleaning is done). Since most people won’t drive more than 2 – 3 miles to drop off dry cleaning, many plant owners would expand their dry cleaning business by opening/buying drop stores (sometimes called dry stores). Unfortunately for most dry cleaners drop stores were not guaranteed business by any extent of the imagination and many of them failed or were sold to other dry cleaners who hoped to turn the failing stores around. In today’s economy hundreds of them all over the country have simply closed their doors. This method of expansion was risky but if you did get a drop store that did well the dry cleaners profits could soar. Unfortunately in today’s economy it has become harder and harder and more expensive than ever to open and run a successful drop store.
The Good News
If you’re looking at getting into this the dry cleaning business you may be having second thoughts right now but there is good news. The industry is in the process of shifting (and when industries shift there is money to be made). The shift is taking place from the above “old” business model to a new pick-up and delivery business model for “regular” dry cleaning users. Now notice I said regular users, with a pick-up and delivery dry cleaning business we want people who spend $40, $50, $80 even $150 dollars per month or more. These “regular users” are where all the money is at in the dry cleaning business. When you have a route it is much easier to go to the neighborhoods or workplaces where there are large numbers of “regular” dry cleaning user and pick-up form the majority of them instead of leasing a building and opening a store front waiting hoping and praying these “regular users” walk through your front door.
The Dry Cleaning Business and You
I am often asked by people who don’t own a dry cleaning plant if they too can get started in this business, the answer is YES! There are two types of people who start pick-up and delivery businesses. The 1st are people who own plants (obvious right) and are simply looking to expand. The second are people like me who only own a dry cleaning pick-up and delivery business. I have a wholesale account set-up with a local dry cleaner who cleans and processes all of the clothes for me.
No matter which category you fall in there is good stable money to be made in the dry cleaning pick-up and delivery business. Opportunity is knocking all you have to decide is, are you going to open the door or not.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the advice. I am opening a laundry care service that will also handle dry cleaning. We do alterations too. I will also be pressing on site. And will be picking up and delivering. It is in a high traffic area on the outskirts of town. A small plaza. 10 to 15 minutes away from the nearest dry cleaners.
Dry Cleaning job is not an easy job to come up with. It takes lots of responsibility, practice, experience to carry on this job. It is the responsibility of the dry cleaners to take care of the customers outfits, because any damage to the outfit will bring dry cleaners in trouble.
New technology are available for dry cleaning purpose and now days dry cleaners are all using the all new technology for dry cleaning.