Running a laundromat shouldn’t mean dealing with coin shortages, broken change machines, and constant customer frustration. That’s exactly where mobile payments come in. Simply put, mobile payments let customers pay with their phone (or smartwatch) instead of coins or bills.
A 2024 report from FinTech Magazine noted the global mobile commerce market is projected to reach $587.52 billion by 2030, growing at a staggering 36.2% CAGR. In other words, consumers expect mobile payments everywhere they go.
Keep reading to learn why going mobile isn’t optional and how to give your laundromat customers a smoother, faster, happier experience.
The coin system is basically held together with duct tape and crossed fingers. Customers show up with laundry baskets and leave with sore shoulders and empty wallets after feeding quarters into machines.
The biggest friction points?
Coin shortages: Remember 2020’s coin shortage? Some operators are still dealing with unpredictable supply today.
Change machines: Nothing spikes customer frustration faster than lugging their laundry only to see an “OUT OF SERVICE” sign.
Jammed slots: Customers fiddle with bent quarters and crumpled bills, machines spit them back out, tempers rise.
This is annoying, and it costs you money.
Here’s how it cuts down friction:
No more coin hunting: Customers use what’s already in their pocket. Payment technology like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or an app like LaundryCat makes paying as easy as ordering coffee.
Faster machine access: According to Visa research, 78% of consumers changed how they pay during the pandemic, with many choosing contactless methods specifically because they were faster and more convenient.
Remote monitoring capabilities: Apps like LaundryCat don’t just process digital payments. Customers can check machine availability before they even leave home, get cycle notifications, and reload their account with a tap.
When payment convenience goes up, so does customer satisfaction.
Reducing friction results in a healthier bottom line. Here’s what contactless payments mean for your operation:
Would you rather carry $15 in quarters every week, or just use your phone? Customers overwhelmingly prefer the latter. By meeting that expectation, you’re showing them you value their time. Research from Bain & Company shows increasing customer retention by just 5% can boost profits by 25% or more.
Mobile payment processing makes it easier for customers to spend a little extra on things like a bigger washer, additional dry cycles, or detergent. When it’s just a quick tap, customers are more likely to say “why not.”
Let’s not forget the owner side of things. Mobile payments mean:
Less time collecting and counting coins
Lower risk of theft
Automatic digital records for accounting
And here’s a bonus: data. Digital payment systems give you access to reports on peak hours, machine usage, and revenue trends.
Thinking about making the switch? Here are some things to consider:
Machine compatibility: Most modern machines can be retrofitted with mobile payment readers.
System choice: Pick a provider built for laundromats (hint: that’s where LaundryCat shines). Look for features like remote monitoring, loyalty programs, and reliable support.
Customer adoption: Rollout is usually smooth. Most customers are already familiar with mobile wallets.
Start by piloting mobile payments in one store or on a few machines. Gather customer feedback, then expand. Promote the change on your website, social channels, and in-store signage.
As FreedomPay research recently noted, 57% of consumers said a poor payment experience could push them to competitors. If your payment system is still quarters-only, you’re losing customers.
Your laundromat needs to be customer experience-focused to grow. One major piece of that is how your customers can pay.
By embracing mobile payments, you’re cutting out the biggest friction points in laundry day. The best part is, you don’t have to reinvent your business. Customer apps like LaundryCat make it easy to add mobile, contactless payments and transform your laundromat into the kind of place customers actually enjoy visiting.