Vending Machines for Laundromats: What to Know First

By Cedric Lavergne, Vending Business 101 — in vending since 2006. Last reviewed: October 30, 2026.

Are laundromats good locations for vending machines? They can be, because customers wait on site while their wash and dry cycles run and often have nowhere else to go. But many laundromat owners run their own vending, and some customers pay with cash. Check both before you pitch a cashless smart cooler.

Table of contents

Why laundromats work for vending (and when they don’t)

A laundromat is a waiting room. Customers load machines, then sit through a wash and a dry. Leaving can mean losing track of their clothes or their spot. One California laundromat owner told KRCR News that her customers typically come about once a week and spend an hour or more at the laundromat. Your local store may differ, so watch for yourself.

Vending is not new here. Laundry trade press has long described snacks, soft drinks and detergent as the mainstays of laundromat vending, and has pitched vending to owners as an extra profit center of their own. So the owner may already have machines, or may prefer to run vending themselves.

Laundromats tend not to work for an outside operator when:

  • The owner already runs snack and drink machines and wants to keep the sales.
  • The store is small and slow, with only a few customers at a time.
  • Most customers drop off laundry for wash-and-fold and leave.
  • A convenience store sits next door.

Who the customers are and when they buy

  • Self-service customers: waiting through wash and dry, often with kids along.
  • Attendants: during their shifts, if the store is staffed.
  • Neighbors: people who live nearby, if the store keeps long hours.

Ask the owner which days and hours are busiest, or count customers yourself on a few different days. Also ask how late the store stays open and whether an attendant is on duty the whole time.

Five signals to check before you pitch a laundromat

SignalWhat to look for at a laundromatWarning sign
Customer baseMany machines in use at once; regular weekly customersRows of idle machines
Dwell timeCustomers sitting and waiting through full cyclesDrop-off service; customers leave and come back
Food opportunityNo snack or drink machines, or old ones that are often emptyOwner’s machines are well stocked and selling
Demand consistencyBusy most days, long hoursOnly busy on weekends
Convenience of staying on siteNothing walkable nearbyConvenience store or fast food next door

Also look at how people pay. Watch the change machine and the washers. If many customers use coins and bills, a card-only cooler will miss them. For context, the FDIC found that 4.2% of U.S. households had no bank or credit union account in 2023. Your neighborhood may be higher or lower.

After you have seen the store at a busy time, score it with the free Location Score walk-through tool.

What to stock in a laundromat smart cooler

  • Sodas, water, juice and energy drinks
  • Chips, candy, cookies and other familiar snacks
  • Kid-friendly items for families
  • Laundry supplies such as single-use detergent, if the owner does not already sell them

Keep prices simple and the mix familiar. Build a starting list with what to stock in a smart cooler and the free Product Mix app.

Smart cooler or traditional vending machine for a laundromat?

This location type needs the most thought.

  • A smart cooler fits when most customers pay by card or phone, the store has many machines that take cards, and the store stays open with no attendant. The locked door helps when no one is watching.
  • A traditional machine may fit better when a lot of customers pay with coins and bills. Many traditional machines can take cash.

Laundromats are warm and humid, and floors get wet. Place the cooler away from washers and folding tables that see spills. HAHA says its machines are splash-resistant but not fully waterproof. Confirm a dedicated outlet and a reliable data connection at the spot. Compare options in smart cooler vs vending machine and the free Machine Matchmaker.

How to pitch a laundromat owner

The decision-maker is usually the owner. In a larger multi-store business, it may be a manager. Some owners rent the building, so check whether the landlord must approve.

If the owner already runs vending, do not pitch against it. Offer what their machines don’t do: cold fresh items, multiple items in one visit, no cash to collect and no restocking for their staff. If they have no vending, lead with customer comfort during the wait. Agree on placement, access hours, power, any commission and how either side can end the agreement, in writing. Read vending machine commission rates first.

Red flags at laundromats

  • The owner wants a high commission and also keeps selling the same products.
  • Most customers pay in cash and the store has no card-enabled machines.
  • The only open spot is next to washers or a wet floor.
  • The store is quiet at the times you visit.
  • No outlet you can use without an extension cord across a walkway.

FAQ

Do laundromat customers buy from vending machines?

They can, because they wait on site. Watch a store on a busy day to judge demand.

Will a smart cooler work if customers pay with cash?

Smart coolers are cashless. Where most customers use cash, a traditional machine may fit better.

Can I sell detergent in a smart cooler?

You can stock small packaged items, but ask the owner first. The store may already sell its own.

How long do customers stay at a laundromat?

One owner told a local news station an hour or more. Count it yourself at the store you’re considering.

Who do I talk to?

Usually the owner. Check whether the landlord must approve.

Find laundromats near you, then score them

After your walk-through, score each store with the free Location Score app. Members also get Location Scout, which searches an area you choose by business category, builds a shortlist and shows it on a map.

Open Location ScoreSee membership

More location types: vending machine location guides. Earnings depend on your location and costs; see our earnings disclaimer.

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