From Industry Newcomer to Six-Month Success: Chuck Huynh's Top Laundry 24 Story

About Top Laundry 24

In Houston, Texas, Chuck Huynh runs Top Laundry 24, a 4,000-square-foot modern laundromat that's setting new standards in the industry. Opening in October 2024, Chuck's facility primarily serves self-service customers while gradually expanding into wash-and-fold services. What truly sets Top Laundry 24 apart is Chuck's commitment to embracing technology and creating a beautiful space that stands out in the marketplace.

The Background: From Real Estate to Laundromat Owner

Chuck's path to laundromat ownership was unconventional. As a real estate broker, he had access to a first-generation building. The property featured robust utility lines that were ideal for a laundromat build.

"I was being approached by people wanting to open up a laundry business," Chuck explains. "And I was like, you know, why don't we do that ourselves as the owner of the building also."

With no previous experience as a laundromat operator, Chuck took a leap of faith, recognizing the potential for a passive income stream.

"I figured laundry could be as passive a business as possible after training staff and understanding operations," Chuck shares. "The technology has been a real advantage for someone new to the industry like me."

He made the strategic decision to prioritize quality and invest substantially in the business from the beginning.

"I committed to investing in premium equipment and features rather than looking for ways to minimize costs," Chuck explains. "I believed that investing as much as possible at the start would set a strong foundation for success and we're off to a good start."

The Technology Strategy: Embracing Modern Solutions

From day one, Chuck committed to a technology-forward approach by implementing:

Laundroworks Card System:

Breaking from traditional coin-operated models, Chuck opted for a completely card-based payment system, despite some initial hesitation.

"I was a little scared at the beginning not having a coin option," Chuck admits. "But I hear a lot of professionals that have been in the industry for a long time say that if they could have done it over again, they would have done card from the beginning."

The data has validated this decision. Chuck observed impressive customer retention through the Laundroworks loyalty system:

"It's really interesting seeing the statistics through Laundroworks. We can track who is new and who is coming back, and exactly when they return. This gives us valuable insights into customer behavior and shows us that people are making Top Laundry 24 a regular part of their routine. That's exactly what we want to see—customers developing the habit of choosing us consistently."

Cents Technology:

Chuck implemented the Cents POS system for wash-and-fold operations from day one.

"From the beginning, I could offer wash and fold with an automated pos that prints receipts and manages the process," Chuck explains. "It's been really good. It's been critical to our business."

The system also provides automated customer communications through SMS text messaging, which has been particularly valuable:

"Clients are really happy with how automated the texting system works when their orders are ready. It's really easy to use. I love that you can switch between Spanish and English for certain customers. It's awesome. I'd recommend it to anyone."

The Results: Impressive Growth in Six Months

Chuck's laundromat has seen remarkable progress since opening in late 2024:

• Strong daily revenue: "We're bringing in revenue each day right now for February, which is getting pretty close to what we need to break even and get into the green. And we've only been open since Halloween."

• Expanding wash-and-fold service: "We're doing wash and fold right now. We're handling a steady volume each month so far. This includes serving a handful of commercial clients, but there is also a significant opportunity to expand our commercial clientele."

• Service mix:"A lot of it is self-serve, with a majority of our business currently in this area. This provides room for growth in other service areas. We're primarily focusing on expanding our wash and fold services and offering pickup and delivery."

• Customer demographics: "We've developed a deep understanding of our customer demographics, which are primarily blue collar and Hispanic communities. This insight allows us to tailor our services and communication to effectively resonate with our market."

Looking Forward & Future Growth Opportunities

Chuck is already planning the next phase of growth for Top Laundry 24, wanting to expand his wash and fold services to include pickup and delivery with plans to invest in a vehicle once he gets enough traffic. His ambitions extend to geographic expansion too, seeing opportunity beyond his current boundaries and aiming to reach more customers outside his current location. While optimistic about expansion, Chuck is keenly aware of increasing competition in the laundry business. "It's growing in this area. I opened my first laundromat and I'm seeing all these laundromats open up near me, so it's both scary and interesting," he observes, acknowledging both the challenge and opportunity in the evolving marketplace.

The Technology Experience

The support and technology adoption have been critical factors in early success. "The Cents and Laundroworks teams have been awesome too. Anytime I reach out to the customer service team, they're super responsive and the apps are very intuitive. Our team particularly appreciates the staff management features, especially how attendants can clock in and out through the system, making payroll management significantly easier."

Key Takeaways:

• Investment in quality brings returns: By refusing to compromise on expenses, the team created an attractive facility that stands out in the market.

• Rapid growth is possible: Breaking even within six months is exceptional in the industry and speaks to the effectiveness of the business model.

• Multiple revenue streams create stability: While currently 90% self-service, the early adoption of wash-and-fold and commercial services provides diversification.

• Customer experience matters: The beautiful store design and clean, modern technologies create a positive impression that brings customers back.

Chuck's story demonstrates how embracing technology and investing in quality can transform the traditional laundromat business model, even for an owner with no prior industry experience. His rapid growth trajectory serves as an inspiring case study for other entrepreneurs considering entry into the laundromat industry.