The American Coin-Op Podcast

A deadly shooting at an industrial laundry brings the specter of workplace violence into focus for all laundry businesses. Carol Dodgen of Dodgen Security Consulting and Jay Juffre from ImageFIRST discuss warning signs, training, prevention and more.

For six days in 2020, a large cast and crew took over Majers Coin Laundry to film scenes for "Everything Everywhere All at Once." The sci-fi dramedy released in 2022 won seven Academy Awards earlier this year, making the laundromat part of cinematic history. Store owner Kenny Majers recounts his laborious but moving experience.

In a truly competitive job market, a laundromat owner's ability to hire well has never been more vital. Multi-store owners Jim Radovic and Tim Gill share their approaches to hiring and retaining good workers in this episode.

Alliance Laundry Systems' Mike Hand describes how offering large-capacity equipment can help decrease turnover plus attract customers eager to clean bulky items their home equipment can't handle.

New York City attorney Eric Sarver describes the ADA, identifies store areas most deserving of ownership attention, and warns of the problems that noncompliance could bring.

Planning for and properly executing a preventative maintenance program keeps a laundry's money makers up and running. Michael "Stucky" Szczotka of distributor Eagle Star Equipment describes what's involved and the benefits.

Kristyn Van Ostern, co-owner of laundry services company Wash Street, details putting in the effort needed to know what type of people her laundry's customers are and why they visit her store instead of others nearby.

Greg Jira, show director for The Clean Show, owned by Messe Frankfurt, suggests how you can gain the greatest benefit from attending any industry trade show, and previews Clean 2022 coming up in July in Atlanta.

Different times of year can bring new service opportunities, so long as a vended laundry is willing to change with the seasons. Multi-store owner Omer Khan explains.

Eric Meyers, general manager of the North America laundromat/on-premises laundry segment for Alliance Laundry Systems, defines the term and explains its importance to laundry success.

Customer service and experience expert and best-selling author Shep Hyken advises how to de-escalate and work through conflicts with angry or difficult customers.

In a tight labor market, creating an environment that supports staff who work well together has never been more critical. Atlanta multi-store owner Yvette Morton Williams discusses her approach to fostering teamwork.

Russ Arbuckle, president of distributor Wholesale Commercial Laundry Equipment S.E., talks pinpointing the factors that may signal when it's time to raise a laundry's vend prices.

When circumstances beyond your control have your laundry business down, how do you bring it back? Helio Fred Garcia, president of crisis management firm Logos Consulting Group, takes you through the initial response, changing your approach depending on event, the importance of communication, and much more.

What's involved in starting a pickup and delivery service? It can be as simple as having a phone number and vehicle, says Matt Simmons of Super Suds Laundromat, Long Beach, Calif., but it can also be much more. He talks resources, operational impact and keys to success.

Dennis Diaz, president of digital marketing and technology firm Spynr, offers some tips for responding appropriately and promptly to online negativity from your laundry customers.

Sharon Sager, owner of the Sierra Madre (Calif.) Laundry, describes her store's 24/7 operation and talks about what's needed to see that self-service laundries are running smoothly any time of the day.

With a little creative thought, laundry owners can utilize some inexpensive ways to improve their store and attract new customers. Brad Steinberg, co-president of distributor PWS - The Laundry Company, looks at the possibilities.

Joel Jorgensen, vice president of sales for Continental Girbau Inc., offers advice to Laundromat owners looking to build and grow a commercial customer base.

Carl Graham, VP of sales for distributor Scott Equipment, compares and contrasts the two approaches to store creation.

Steven Wright, vice president of business development for Irving Weber Associates, discusses dealing with common and not-so-common Laundromat risks and liabilities, including COVID-19.

Brendan Ristaino, sales manager for distributor Yankee Equipment, examines revenue-producing extra-profit centers that best complement a vended laundry business.

Adjunct professor of business studies and laundry owner Cathy Neilley talks tactics to try to pick up business on a store’s “slow” days.

Contemplating buying a store for sale? In this episode, Tod Sorensen of Girbau North America and Continental Girbau West breaks down the criteria you can use to decide if acquiring a certain existing laundry would be a good investment.

Cincinnati multi-store owner Dave Menz discusses how to respond when a new competitor enters the local market.

What should every self-service laundry keep on hand in the event a piece of equipment goes down? Greg Reese of CLEC Distribution talks hoses, valves, igniters and more in this episode.

Promotions and incentives are often used to draw customers to a laundry. Matt Miller, president of equipment distributor Coin-O-Matic, envisions a more comprehensive loyalty-building approach.

There’s no magic formula when it comes to choosing a coin laundry’s operational model but certain factors can affect the call. Mike Enz from Dexter distributor Laundry One compares and contrasts the two.

With a disaster recovery plan in place, a laundry can be ready to cope with fire, severe weather or other incident and return to operation as quickly as possible. Robert “Bo” Steiner, district director at the U.S. Small Business Administration, talks planning strategy and execution.

When it comes to boosting a store’s value, certain factors have stood the test of time. Industry veteran John Vassiliades, who’s brokered the sales of over 1,000 coin laundries, explains.

Michael Finkelstein, whose Associated Services Corp. operates a large chain of laundries in the Southeast, discusses techniques for hiring and keeping good laundry attendants.

Dennis Diaz, president of digital marketing firm Spynr, talks effectively promoting your laundry business using social media and some old-school basics.

Joel Jorgensen, vice president of sales for Continental Girbau Inc., weighs equipment mix and discusses getting it just right so your store can reap the maximum revenue per square foot.

Multi-store owner Luke Williford of The Wash House Inc. discusses best practices for making the jump to Store No. 2 and beyond.

Fluff-and-fold can be a profitable service addition if handled properly. Consultant/trainer Beverly Kay Blank shares her drop-off do’s and don’ts in this episode.

Retiring show manager John Riddle talks Clean history and reminisces about his long career, including his time in pro baseball, stadium management, rodeo production, and more.

Scott Chiavetta, chief information officer for Alliance Laundry Systems, examines leveraging equipment and data-gathering systems to boost store operations and build customer relationships.

Maintaining your store’s dryers properly helps prevent service issues, controls utilities cost, and lowers fire risk. ADC’s Joe Carrita, representing Whirlpool Corporation Commercial Laundry, outlines best practices in this episode.

Bryan Maxwell, from distributor Western State Design, surveys the landscape and talks factors to consider when choosing the ideal location for your Laundromat.

Columnist and retired NYC Laundromat owner Paul Russo talks year-end/new-year tasks and deciding what it will take to have a successful 2019.

Longtime distributor and multi-store owner Karl Hinrichs takes a common-sense approach to washer/dryer placement and customer workflow.

San Francisco Bay Area multi-store owner Brian Brunckhorst shares tips for hiring and training attendants, enabling them—and you—for success.

Host Bruce Beggs compares textile care industry tales and trends with fellow editors Tim Burke of American Drycleaner and Matt Poe of American Laundry News.

Multi-store owner Ken Barrett talks about being industry-inquisitive and sharing what he’s learned through writing, podcasting and YouTube.

Retired NYC store owner Paul Russo shares lessons learned from four decades in business and previews his new “Pointers from Paulie B” column for the magazine.

Get to know Laurance Cohen, author of the popular American Coin-Op column who got his start in self-service laundry at age 8.

A building’s historic makeup led Christy Davis to focus on preservation while also creating the Wash-O-Rama Laundromat for her small Kansas community.

Veteran business writer Mark E. Battersby discusses the new tax reform and how coin-ops might benefit.

Paul Hansen, Chicago store owner and Illinois Coin Laundry Association president, discusses efforts to keep Laundromats sales tax-exempt nationwide.