CHICAGO — Smart washers and dryers are reshaping how laundromats operate, pairing real-time data and connectivity with faster cycles, lower utilities, and smoother customer experiences. As advanced controls and IoT-driven features are rolled out, upgrading is quickly becoming less about replacing equipment and more about staying competitive in a technology-forward marketplace.
At American Coin-Op’s invitation, several manufacturers and key distributors weighed in on the topic by answering questions, sharing benefits of their market entries, and gauging the ROI potential for those willing to elevate their equipment choices. Let’s continue:
Q: What day-to-day benefits can laundromat owners realistically expect from upgrading to smart equipment?
Brad Dunnigan, director, Digital Products, Alliance Laundry Systems, maker of Huebsch and Speed Queen equipment: Smart equipment can help drive labor reductions through operation of an unattended store or, perhaps more applicable, labor optimization where owners can schedule staffing around customer patterns.
Jason Fleck, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for Laundrylux, principal distributor of Electrolux Professional and Wascomat laundry equipment in North America: There are several:
- Faster turns and lower utility bills. High-spin extraction sends clothes to the dryer already halfway dry, cutting gas usage and shortening total cycle time.
- Smarter drying. Moisture-sensing tumblers stop the moment the load is dry, preventing overdrying, saving energy, and freeing up machines sooner for the next customer.
- Automatic Savings on every wash. The machine weighs the load and adjusts water levels automatically, so owners stop wasting water on half-empty loads.
- Remote control of the store. With Laundry Pulse and Laundry Pay, owners can monitor revenue, machine status, errors, and usage from anywhere — and make real-time tweaks to pricing or cycle settings.
- Consistent results. Smart machines treat every load differently instead of running “one-size-fits-all,” which boosts customer satisfaction and reduces complaints.
Mackenzie Swanson, marketing manager, Dexter Laundry: Upgrading to smart equipment like Dexter’s C-Series and X-Series gives laundromat owners more control over their business day-to-day. Remote monitoring lets owners see what machines are running, receive alerts if issues arise, and can help reduce downtime. Smart features like moisture detection, leak detection, and adjustable water levels help reduce utilities. Owners can also change pricing, accept mobile payments, and run promotions without always having to be on-site. The result is smoother operations, happier customers, and a more efficient and profitable business.
Tyler Willman, regional sales manager, Continental Laundry Solutions, distributor of Girbau Commercial equipment: Smart machines should be evaluated as part of the overall equipment package. The right washer can differentiate the store from competitors; increase customer turnover and throughput; reduce utilities; improve convenience and revenue-building cycle options; simplify management; and unlock new revenue opportunities. The GS Washer delivers on all of these, dramatically improving customer turnover, efficiency, customer satisfaction and profitability.
Q: How do smart features support unattended or partially attended store models?
Fleck: Smart features make unattended and partially attended models far easier to run — and far more profitable. First, remote monitoring and control give owners full visibility into the store without being on-site. They can track revenue, machine status, errors, and usage in real time, and adjust pricing or cycles instantly.
High-spin washers and moisture-sensing dryers reduce total customer time in the store, which keeps traffic flowing smoothly without staff intervention. Automatic Savings means each washer sets its own water level based on load size, so utilities aren’t wasted when no one is there to supervise. Smart systems also allow remote resets, instant refunds, and customer support tools, reducing the number of problems that require a live employee.
The result is a cleaner, more predictable operation where machines self-optimize, the data comes to you, and customers get a smooth experience — even when no one is on-site.
Swanson: They make unattended and partially attended store models much easier to run, and Dexter C-Series, X-Series, and DexterLive are designed with that in mind. Remote monitoring plays a big role as it lets owners see machine status, revenue, and alerts from anywhere. They can adjust pricing, run promotions, issue a free start, or take a machine offline in real time. DexterLive alerts also help owners respond quickly to issues and reduce unnecessary trips to the store, which is important, especially if staffing is limited. And with DexterPay, customers handle payments and cycle updates on their phones, reducing the need for staff support.
Willman: Smart features make the store easier for customers to navigate without staff involvement. The GS touchscreen provides intuitive guidance for fewer questions, while the Corner Status Light visibly signals when loads are complete — keeping customers moving. Real-time alerts, alarms and usage reports also streamline remote management for owners and operators.
Dunnigan: Digital payments, remote customer support, error alerting and reporting allow management of not only a single unattended location but multiple locations through unified views. Smart features support partially attended stores by focusing labor on revenue additions like wash-dry-fold services.
Q: How long does it generally take for laundromat owners to recoup their investment in smart equipment?
Swanson: From what we’ve seen across both retools and new construction projects, ROI may depend on the size of the equipment. The trend toward larger equipment is evident when we see that T-900 washers (60 pounds) typically see a positive return in nine months, while a T-300 (20 pounds) will take up to 16 months. The larger washers can cost three or four times more, but with the ability to capture higher vend prices and with more turns per day, the return is staggering.
Willman: ROI depends on multiple variables: G-force, utility savings, time savings, customer turnover, and more. What we can say with confidence is that smart equipment continues to improve through ongoing updates, protecting the investment long-term.
Fleck: Payback on smart equipment is faster than most operators expect because the savings hit the bottom line immediately. High-G-force washers — the biggest driver of utility reduction — typically recoup the cost difference in just a little over two years through shorter dry times and lower gas usage alone.
Load-based water adjusting and moisture-sensing dryers stack on additional water and energy savings, accelerating ROI even further. Add in remote management, fewer callbacks, and smoother customer flow, and the operational efficiency compounds month after month. Most stores see a clear, measurable return well within the first few years, with the long-term upside continuing for a decade or more.
In Tuesday’s conclusion: The support infrastructure that’s available, and trends suggesting 2026 may be a major upgrade year
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].
