MainStreetKeys

What is my laundromat worth?

Laundromats sell at some of the highest SDE multiples in main-street data because they need little owner labor. Buyers look closely at the lease, machine age and utility bills, since water and gas records are how they check revenue.

How to sell your laundromat

Avg SDE multiple

3.70×

Typical range

2.66–4.48×

Avg revenue multiple

1.33×

Median sale price

$250K

BizBuySell industry row: Laundromats and Coin Laundries. Range applies the typical quartile spread (0.72×–1.21× of the average, from BizBuySell's HVAC quartiles) because no trade quartiles are published. Source: BizBuySell — Business Valuation Multiples by Industry (businesses sold Q3 2021–Q2 2026).

Value your laundromat

Let's estimate what your business is worth. Seven quick questions, no email needed.

Trade: Laundromat ·

Which state is it in?

Worked example

Hypothetical. A 40-washer coin and card laundromat with 12 years left on its lease. Attendants run the store; the owner visits twice a week. About 20% of revenue is wash-and-fold accounts.

  • Revenue $300,000, owner earnings (SDE) $110,000, 15 years, about 20% recurring, “Absentee: I check in, a manager runs it”.
  • Start at the published 3.70× average.
  • Owner involvement: Absentee: +0.25×. Buyers pay more when the business runs without the owner.
  • 15 years in business: +0.10×. Long, proven history.
  • Owner earnings $75K–$150K: -0.10×. Below the typical sold main-street business.
  • Adjusted multiple 3.95× × $110,000 = $435,000, range $312,000 – $526,000.
  • Revenue cross-check: $300,000 × 1.33× = $399,000.

What raises the price

  • A long lease at a fair rent
  • Newer machines or card-payment systems with clean sales reports
  • Wash-and-fold, pickup or commercial accounts
  • Utility bills that support the reported revenue

What lowers it

  • Old machines near the end of their life
  • A short lease
  • Coin revenue with no records
  • Nearby competition opening

Calculating SDE for a laundromat

Start from net profit on your tax return or P&L, then add back:

  • Owner salary
  • Depreciation on machines
  • Interest on equipment loans
  • One-time repairs

Only add back what a buyer can verify. See SDE explained: how to calculate owner earnings and add-backs for a full walkthrough.

If there are two working owners, the second owner's salary usually stays as a cost, because a buyer will need to replace that person.

Questions

Why do laundromats sell for more than other small businesses?

They need little day-to-day owner labor, so more of the earnings are truly owner profit. BizBuySell's laundromat row has one of the highest earnings multiples it publishes.

How this estimate works

We start from the published average multiple for businesses in this category that actually sold, adjust it for owner involvement, recurring revenue, track record and size, and apply it to your owner earnings. Read the full valuation methodology, including what we don't do.

Related trades

Compare other trades

TradeAvg SDE multipleAvg revenue multipleMedian sale priceBasis
Plumbing2.61×0.69×$699,000Trade row
HVAC2.83×quartiles 1.99–3.33×0.60×$750,000Trade row
Electrical2.77×0.63×$1,009,000Trade row
Landscaping2.49×0.72×$449,950Trade row
Pool service / routes2.61×0.83×—Sector average (no trade row)
Pest control2.46×quartiles 1.69–3×1.01×$250,000Trade row
Cleaning2.25×0.72×$281,500Trade row
Roofing2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Auto repair2.85×0.65×$430,000Trade row
Salon / barbershop2.10×0.52×$117,375Trade row
Restaurant2.18×quartiles 1.34–2.53×0.39×$220,000Trade row
Daycare / child care3.28×quartiles 1.94–4.03×0.88×$380,000Trade row
Dental practice2.75×quartiles 1.6–3.37×0.76×$350,000Trade row
Gym / fitness center2.54×quartiles 1.72–3×0.70×$204,000Trade row
Insurance agency2.87×quartiles 1.88–3.44×1.52×$500,000Trade row
Accounting / tax / bookkeeping2.27×quartiles 1.61–2.66×1.08×$450,000Trade row
Moving company2.52×quartiles 1.8–3.11×0.63×$350,000Trade row
IT services / MSP3.22×quartiles 2.2–3.87×1.08×$726,800Trade row
Locksmith2.35×0.75×$300,000Trade row
Pet grooming2.30×quartiles 1.38–2.51×0.63×$152,500Trade row
Laundromat3.70×1.33×$250,000Trade row
Car wash4.87×1.96×$800,000Trade row
Towing3.28×0.95×$1,250,000Trade row
Dry cleaning2.11×quartiles 1.42–2.55×0.77×$253,500Trade row
Coffee shop / cafe2.27×0.47×$150,000Trade row
Dog daycare / boarding3.27×1.08×$412,500Trade row
Concrete2.54×0.61×$780,000Trade row
Painting2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Garage door2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Handyman2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Tree service2.61×quartiles 1.75–3.13×0.83×$350,000Sector average (no trade row)
Appliance repair2.61×quartiles 1.75–3.13×0.83×$350,000Sector average (no trade row)
Junk removal2.61×quartiles 1.75–3.13×0.83×$350,000Sector average (no trade row)
Other main-street business2.61×0.83×$350,000General main-street range

Source: BizBuySell, Business Valuation Multiples by Industry, businesses sold Q3 2021–Q2 2026; quartiles from BizBuySell's valuation benchmark pages (sold 2021–2025). Pool, tree service, appliance repair, and junk removal use the Service Businesses sector average. Roofing, painting, garage door, and handyman use the Building and Construction sector average. “Other” uses the Service Businesses sector. Junk removal is not the Junk and Salvage Yards row. Retrieved Oct 30–Nov 2, 2026.

Estimates for information only; not an appraisal or an offer. MainStreetKeys is not a business broker. Data retrieved Oct 30–Nov 2, 2026.