OAK BROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Technology has been creeping into the everyday operations of laundromats for more than a decade, but in 2026 and beyond, a tipping point has arrived.
Between the powerful capabilities of AI software, machine connectivity, and customer-facing automation tools, laundromat owners have more technology available to them than ever before — and it’s advancing far faster than most expected.
That acceleration was the centerpiece of “The Future of Laundromats: Integrating AI and Smart Technology for Maximum Efficiency,” a recent CLA webinar. A panel of early adopters and tech-focused operators laid out what’s possible right now — and what’s coming soon. Their message was clear: Tech is no longer a luxury or “nice to have.” It may soon define who grows and who gets left behind.
The group featured operators Alex Bloom of Wash Works in New England, Ross Dodds of Luxe Laundries in Los Angeles, and Nicholas Gomez of Super Clean Laundry in Michigan, along with marketer Trey Bowden of Spynr. Together, they paint a picture of an industry shifting into a smarter gear — where decisions are driven by data instead of instinct, customer communication runs without an owner picking up the phone, and even maintenance schedules are planned by machines themselves.
STARTING WITH THE BASICS
The first step toward intelligent business operations, according to Bowden, isn’t buying a fleet of new machines — it’s knowing what’s already happening inside the store.
“You can’t automate what you don’t understand,” he advises.
That means tracking:
- What machines are used the most
- Which hours drive the highest volume
- How many refunds occur — and why
- When customers choose to spend on upgrades
In recent years, payment systems and POS systems have made gathering that information easier than ever. Many systems automatically log usage patterns, pricing performance, and service issues. From there, owners can identify pain points and find opportunities to improve throughput — often long before equipment struggles or customers become frustrated.
Gomez, who launched a pickup and delivery service before he even owned a store, emphasized starting where he believes automation has the biggest impact: scheduling and staffing.
Labor shortages forced him to rethink the basics.
“We started automating day-to-day operations,” he said. “Scheduling, time-on-task tracking — once we could measure workflow, we could finally optimize it.”
The message: Operators don’t need to be tech experts to see meaningful change. They only need to start measuring what matters.
LESSONS LEARNED THE HARD WAY
The operators who have implemented new tools admit that learning curves exist — and surprises happen.
Dodds, who now owns 10 stores, wishes he had implemented digital systems earlier.
“Sharing customer service as you’re growing is a big thing,” he says. A loyalty card system and shared phone platform allowed multiple team members to handle issues seamlessly. The regret? Not doing it sooner.
Bloom entered the business just 2½ years ago. For him, the toughest challenge wasn’t the tech — it was training the staff in how to use it.
“Some of our best employees are over 50,” he says. “At first, the technology felt intimidating. But once they got comfortable, it actually made everything easier.”
Today, Bloom’s stores track “every single little thing” through their machine software. The result? Better customer service and stronger profitability.
WHAT CUSTOMERS VALUE MOST: CONVENIENCE AND CONTROL
Despite the excitement around back-end analytics, panelists say the most visible transformation is happening on the customer side.
App-based payments — once a futuristic idea — are quickly becoming expected. Bloom’s customers rave about his stores’ touchscreen machines and reloadable app that eliminates the need for quarters or proprietary cards. He even rewards those who choose digital payment. Customers respond with loyalty — and five-star reviews.
Dodds sees similar benefits with his hybrid system. The ability to issue instant refunds and resolve service issues without requiring staff intervention “makes customers feel taken care of,” he says. That’s especially critical in partially unattended locations.
Convenience, in today’s retail environment, isn’t a bonus — it’s the cost of admission.
SMART MAINTENANCE: FIX WHAT’S NEEDED, SKIP WHAT ISN’T
Needless maintenance — replacing parts on underused equipment simply because the calendar says it’s time — can be a money drain in any laundromat.
Gomez used AI to flip that script. His card system data showed exactly which machines saw the highest turnover. “We don’t need to fix everything each quarter,” he says. “A couple of top loaders hadn’t been used in 45 days. That saved money and saved time.”
Bowden has seen similar tech-based insights reveal deeper operational challenges — even potential fraud — when reviewing POS and redemption data across a multi-store operation.
AI isn’t just about futuristic automation. It’s also about eliminating waste that operators don’t know exists.
PRICING DECISIONS SUDDENLY GET SMARTER
Reprogramming machines and payment apps opens the door to dynamic strategies that weren’t realistic when everything ran on coin slides.
Bloom noticed his 80-pound washers developed long lines every Sunday. Seeing the data, he decided to launch discount Tuesdays — then his slowest day. The result: Tuesday business on those machines surged, Sunday volume didn’t drop, and the store now wins twice.
Data-driven promotions aren’t random discounts — they’re calculated shifts that smooth demand and increase revenue per turn. That level of insight is now widely available — no spreadsheets required.
Check back Thursday for the conclusion
CLA frequently offers webinars that cover topics such as marketing, store operations and management, and new investor education. Visit https://laundryassociation.org/webinars to learn more.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].
