.png?width=2196&height=2196&name=OS%20(1).png)
.svg)
-3.png?width=224&height=213&name=Accelerate%20(2)-3.png)
Recurring revenue isn't just for gyms and streaming services anymore. Here's how laundromat operators are turning one-time customers into loyal subscribers.
Memberships have quietly become one of the smartest moves in the laundry industry. Instead of hoping customers come back, operators are locking in predictable monthly income while giving customers a reason to stay loyal.
But not all membership plans work for every business. The key is matching your plan to your customer base. Here are the membership structures driving real results for laundromats and how to know which ones fit your operation.
Note: All pricing listed below is for example purposes only, numbers should match your business goals and pricing. Your membership pricing should be based on your local market, operating costs, competitor pricing, and the value you deliver. What works in a college town may not work in a suburb. Test and adjust accordingly!
College Semester Plan
Who it's for: University students who'd rather study than sort socks.
Typical pricing: $299–$499/semester or $75–$125/month
What members get:
-
15–20 lbs per week
-
Free dorm pickup and delivery
-
Rollover pounds for lighter weeks
Best fit: Operators near college campuses with pickup and delivery.
This plan works because students have consistent laundry needs but inconsistent schedules. They're also notoriously loyal once you make their lives easier. And don't overlook the real decision-makers: parents. Many will gladly pay upfront for the semester just to have one less thing to worry about.
Marketing angle: "Focus on finals, not folding."
Couples Plan
Who it's for: Young professionals, roommates, dual-income households without kids.
Typical pricing: $129–$179/month
What members get:
-
30–40 lbs per week
-
Flexible scheduling
-
Split billing options
-
Free laundry bags
Best fit: Urban operators looking for an accessible entry-level membership tier.
Couples plans hit a sweet spot: affordable enough to feel like a no-brainer, valuable enough to create real habit change. These members often upgrade to family plans down the road, making this tier a smart long-term investment.
Marketing angle: "More weekends together, LESS TIME doing laundry."
Family Plan
Who it's for: Busy families juggling kids, careers, and never-ending laundry piles.
Typical pricing: $199–$299/month
What members get:
-
50–75 lbs per week
-
Weekly scheduled pickup
-
Free stain treatment and laundry bags
-
Rollover pounds
Best fit: Suburban operators with high-capacity wash and fold services.
Families produce a lot of laundry and they know it. What they don't have is time. A family membership removes a recurring pain point from their week, which is why these members tend to stick around. The scheduled pickup creates a routine they come to rely on, and rollover pounds give them flexibility during lighter weeks without feeling like they're losing value.
Marketing angle: "Reclaim your weekends. We've got the laundry."
Commercial Account Plan
Who it's for: Gyms, salons, Airbnb hosts, retirement communities, spas, and small businesses with consistent linen or uniform needs.
Typical pricing: $399–$999/month (volume-based)
What members get:
-
100+ lbs per week
-
Daily or bi-weekly pickup options
-
Net-30 payment terms
-
Premium customer support
Best fit: Operators ready to diversify into B2B revenue streams.
Commercial accounts bring higher volume and longer contracts, which means more predictable revenue with less churn. These clients value reliability above all else. They need clean towels and linens on schedule, every time. If you can deliver consistency, you'll earn contracts that renew year after year. The key is treating these accounts differently: dedicated support, flexible invoicing, and priority service when issues arise.
Marketing angle: "Professional laundry service for professional businesses."
Ready to Launch Your First Membership Plan?
That depends on your location, capacity, and customer base. Campus-adjacent? Start with students. Downtown with young professionals? Test a couples plan. Surrounded by gyms and salons? Go commercial.
The beauty of memberships is you can start with one tier and expand as you learn what resonates. Many operators begin with a single plan, refine it based on customer feedback, then layer in additional tiers over time.
Cents Memberships makes it easy to create, customize, and manage subscription plans directly from your existing Cents platform—no developers or designers required. Ready-to-use templates, customer-facing landing pages, and member dashboards are all included for just $35/month.
Want to see it in action first? Join our webinar on December 17th for a live product demo and membership examples from operators already seeing results.
-1.png?width=400&height=200&name=Blog%20Banner%20Resizing%20(1)-1.png)
