In Everett, Washington, Brian Riseland runs Laundry Genius, a 4,000-square-foot laundromat that's setting new standards for operational efficiency in the industry. With 38 washers and 32 dryers, his facility primarily serves self-service customers while offering on-demand pickup and delivery options. What truly sets Laundry Genius apart is Brian's commitment to staying ahead of laundry technology trends and data-driven business management.
Brian's journey to laundromat ownership began unexpectedly in 2019 when he was laid off from his corporate job. "I started looking for what's next," Brian explains. "After exploring many business opportunities, the idea of owning a laundromat caught my attention. We thought, 'Yeah, let's go down this route.' We pursued it, and here we are today."
When it comes to laundromat management systems, Brian recognized early on that modern technology would be essential for the business he wanted to build.
Running a modern facility presents numerous management challenges. For Brian and his team, these included:
Managing full-service orders efficiently, whether in-store drop-offs or pickup and delivery services
Tracking machine usage and performance to inform future business decisions
Handling cash securely and minimizing associated risks
Operating the business remotely while maintaining full visibility into operations
Collecting and analyzing business data to guide strategic decisions
"In a traditional coin-operated laundromat, you're largely flying blind when it comes to data," Brian notes. "You can count coins at the end of the day, but you don't know which machines generated the most revenue, when your busy periods are, or how to optimize your operations."
This challenge reflects a broader transformation sweeping through the laundromat industry. What was once a business run primarily on coin operations and manual management has rapidly evolved to embrace digital payment methods, loyalty cards, and integrated management systems.
Laundry Genius implemented Laundroworks as its payments system technology. This included:
Card-based payment systems across all machines
Real-time monitoring capabilities for all equipment
Comprehensive dashboards providing business analytics
Integrated point-of-sale system with Cents for full-service management
"Laundroworks allows me to operate my business from anywhere, whenever I want," Brian shares. "I can check in at any time and see exactly how business is going for the day."
Choosing Laundroworks wasn't just about convenience—it fundamentally changed how Brian approaches business management and strategic planning.
The system also streamlined operations for wash-dry-fold services, eliminating the need for manual tracking and coin management.
"The card-based system makes store management straightforward and supports data-driven decisions," Brian explains. "It's particularly efficient for our wash-dry-fold business. We no longer need to maintain a separate coin fund. Instead, we use dedicated cards for processing orders, which lets us track exactly which machines were used and accurately calculate our costs."
Laundroworks has significantly improved how Laundry Genius operates in several critical ways:
Enhanced Business Intelligence:
"For me, having the dashboards and the LaundroPortal to go in and get a pulse of what is going on in the store—what machines are being used, how often, how many new customers—has the biggest impact," Brian notes. This enhanced visibility enables him to make informed decisions about everything from pricing to equipment purchases.
Unified Data Ecosystem:
"The great part is that for us, Laundroworks and Cents integrate within there, so data that was coming from Laundroworks is showing up in the Cents Business Manager dashboard." Brian shares. This integration creates a comprehensive management ecosystem that provides a complete picture of his business.
Improved Service Tracking:
"Even for a low-volume drop-off store like we are, it enables great processing. We know where things are, who did what, where it was touched, when it was touched," Brian explains. This audit trail is invaluable for accountability and quality control. "In the event that we had a problem, we can go back and look at the video on those machines and say, 'Hey, was that item ever even going into that washer?' That's been really helpful."
Increased Security:
"The best thing about Laundroworks is that I don't have a lot of cash in the store, and I think that prevents a lot of bad things from happening," Brian emphasizes. This reduced cash handling not only improves security but also streamlines accounting and reduces administrative tasks.
Enhanced Work-Life Balance:
Perhaps most significantly, the system has given Brian the freedom to run his business on his terms. "I have a great team. I don't have to come here every day, but for me, having the dashboards and the business manager enables me to live the life that I want to live."
Based on his experience, Brian offers this advice to other laundromat owners considering modernization:
Prioritize data collection and analysis: "Understanding your business through data is transformative. When you know which machines perform best and when your busy periods are, you can make much better business decisions."
Consider remote management capabilities: "Being able to check on your business anytime, from anywhere, changes how you operate and gives you more freedom."
Integrate your systems: "Make sure your payment systems, POS, and management software work together. The integration between Laundroworks and Cents has been a game-changer for us."
Focus on staff efficiency: "Since the hardware is really easy to learn how to use, and the software ties it all together, my team can focus on being great for our customers rather than managing complex systems."
Embrace card-based operations: "Moving away from coins simplifies everything from accounting to machine maintenance. It's worth the investment."
Laundry Genius continues to refine its use of Laundroworks and explore ways to leverage the system's capabilities further. As the business considers expansion, the data collected through Laundroworks will inform decisions about equipment selection, store layout, and operational procedures.
"Having this kind of visibility into our operations gives me confidence about future growth," Brian concludes. "I know what works, what doesn't, and how to design future stores for maximum efficiency."
Laundry Genius exemplifies how embracing modern management systems can elevate a traditional laundromat into a data-driven, efficient operation while simultaneously improving the owner's quality of life. As the industry continues to evolve, operators like Brian who leverage technology will likely find themselves with a significant competitive advantage in both operational efficiency and customer experience.
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To hear more about Brian Riseland's experience with Laundroworks and his journey from corporate America to laundromat innovation, watch the full Laundry Genius Operator Spotlight video here: