CHICAGO — With 2026 in sight, American Coin-Op is reflecting on 2025 and the top 10 stories (based on page views) posted here on AmericanCoinOp.com during the year.
(If there are instances where the Top 10 story was part of a larger series, we will provide additional links so you can easily read the entire article.)
And now, here is the first half of our 2025 Top 10 list, starting with No. 10:
10. PayRange to Acquire KioSoft, Dec. 2
PayRange described its late-year acquisition of KioSoft Technologies as a move that will enable the combined company to accelerate digital transformation across unattended retail that includes laundries. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
By combining PayRange’s mobile-first payment platform with KioSoft’s global footprint and operator network, the deal positioned the company to serve millions of connected machines across the world.
The acquisition underscored PayRange’s strategy to modernize self-service commerce, expand cashless payment adoption and deliver deeper operational insights to machine owners, while bringing KioSoft operations under the PayRange brand.
9. Tide Laundromat Inks Deal to Expand Across Southwest, April 7
Tide Services announced a milestone 50-unit franchise agreement with CMG Companies, calling it one of the largest single expansion deals in the out-of-home laundry sector. The agreement significantly accelerated Tide Laundromat’s growth across key Southwestern markets, according to the franchisor, and reinforced the brand’s push to modernize the laundry experience through smart technology, premium detergents and convenience-focused services.
The partnership also underscored Tide’s momentum as it expanded its combined Tide Laundromat and Tide Cleaners footprint beyond 200 locations nationwide.
8. Girbau Opens New U.S. Production Plant, Nov. 5
In late October, Girbau inaugurated a new production facility in Oshkosh, Wis., marking a significant expansion of its North American footprint and reaffirming its focus on local manufacturing, customer proximity, and sustainability.
The event coincided with Girbau’s 105th anniversary, uniting company leaders, local officials, and international partners to celebrate the milestone and the company’s long-standing commitment to innovation in textile care technology.
The new plant serves only the U.S. market and can produce up to 3,000 commercial laundry machines annually. By shifting more manufacturing closer to end users, the company aims to enhance operational efficiency, reduce delivery times, and shrink its logistical footprint.
7. Aloha Laundry Life Rebranding as kathy ireland Laundry, Jan. 6
Word arrived in early 2025 that MainStreet Chamber Holdings Inc. had acquired Dirty Laundry Solutions LLC, doing business as Aloha Laundry Life. The December 2024 transaction involved an undisclosed combination of stock and cash.
MainStreet described Aloha Laundry Life as “a pioneering force in the virtual laundromat and territory licensing industry.” It rebranded the on-demand service as kathy ireland® Laundry, focusing on the sale of laundromat licenses and the rapid expansion of pickup, delivery and wash-dry-fold, which it calls the “fastest growing segment in the industry.”
In November, kathy ireland Laundry shared that it had passed a major milestone: operating in more than 100 U.S. licensed markets.
6. In Memoriam: Harvey S. Gitlin, ESD and Greenwald, May 12
The laundry industry paused in early May to remember Harvey S. Gitlin, the founder and chairman of ESD Inc. and chairman of Greenwald Industries, upon his death.
“Harvey left behind a legacy that has shaped the vended laundry industry and the companies he founded/acquired,” wrote Doug Goldstein in a bereavement notice. “Harvey Gitlin’s vision, dedication and passion were driving forces that will continue unabated under the next generation of leadership.”
ESD and Greenwald, which both offer varied payment systems used in the laundry industry, remain under the same family ownership and control.
Check back tomorrow, Dec. 31, when we will reveal the top five articles for 2025!
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].
