How a Coin Laundry POS System Boosts Laundromat Profits

Why Your Laundromat Needs a Smarter POS System (And How It Quietly Boosts Profits)

Running a coin laundry might seem straightforward—people come in, wash their clothes, and leave. But any seasoned laundromat owner knows that behind the hum of machines is a business with tight margins, rising utility costs, and increasingly high customer expectations. So what’s the easiest lever to pull to grow profits without adding more machines or staff? It’s not advertising. It’s your Point of Sale (POS) system.

Let’s break down how a smart Coin Laundry POS System quietly lifts your bottom line—and why many Aussie laundromats are upgrading to one without hesitation.

How does a POS system increase laundromat profits?

Short answer: it turns your machines into revenue-maximising assets while cutting inefficiencies.

Longer answer? Here’s how it works:

• Reduces payment friction: Accept cards, mobile wallets, or prepaid laundry cards, so customers aren’t turned away due to lack of coins.

• Increases average spend: With upsell prompts (like adding fabric softener or longer drying time), the system nudges users to spend more per wash cycle.

• Automates revenue tracking: Real-time sales reports show exactly which machines are underperforming—and when.

• Reduces theft and human error: With automated cashless payments, there’s less opportunity for skimming or miscounts.

• Lowers labour costs: Many POS systems offer remote machine management, so you can fix issues or reboot systems without sending someone onsite.

This is not theory—many operators in Melbourne and Sydney have quietly transitioned to fully cashless POS setups and are seeing 15–30% higher revenue per machine, with fewer headaches.

Are coin laundry POS systems worth the upfront cost?

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the setup isn’t free. But let’s reframe the cost.

Say your average machine does $80/day in revenue. A good POS system can increase that by just $10/day through better uptime, flexible pricing, and upselling. That’s an extra $3,650 per year per machine. Across 10 machines, that’s over $36,000 annually.

And most systems, like the ones used in leading self-serve laundromats across Queensland, are plug-and-play with minimal installation downtime.

The kicker? The ROI can be recouped within the first 6–12 months, depending on your volume.

What features should a laundromat POS system include?

Not all POS systems are built for coin laundries. Here’s what separates an average setup from a revenue-boosting one:

• Cashless integration – Accepting Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more.

• Prepaid loyalty options – So regulars top-up and return (boosting Commitment & Consistency).

• Remote access – Manage machines, view earnings, and run reports via a mobile dashboard.

• Price scheduling – Offer peak vs off-peak pricing or promotions during quiet periods.

• Alerts & downtime detection – Get notified when a machine is underperforming.

These features aren’t just bells and whistles—they shift your laundromat from a passive vending model to a responsive, data-led retail business.

What do real laundromat owners say about switching?

One operator in Perth, who runs a small suburban site, shared how shifting to a cloud-based POS meant she could reduce her site visits from daily to once a week. “I used to drive out just to empty coin trays or reboot a machine. Now, I do it all from my phone.” She also noticed a 22% lift in weekend usage after introducing card payments.

There’s strong Social Proof in the growth of cashless laundromats across Australia. As of 2024, over 65% of new self-service laundry sites are installed with POS terminals from day one, with legacy stores rapidly upgrading.

What behavioural science backs this up?

Let’s apply a few behavioural lenses:

• Loss aversion: Customers hate losing the convenience of using their card. If your competitor takes card and you don’t, you’re likely losing business.

• Framing effect: Offering tiered pricing (“Express Wash – $5” vs “Standard – $6.50”) feels like a choice, but nudges users to higher spend options.

• Default bias: People tend to choose default settings. If your POS system preselects optimal cycles or detergents, most users will accept the slightly pricier default.

Add to that the power of choice architecture—designing your payment and usage experience to gently push customers toward profitable behaviours—and a POS becomes more than a tech upgrade. It’s a subtle psychological tool.

Is this just for big laundromats or franchises?

Not at all. In fact, smaller independent operators often see the biggest wins because they lack staff overhead. A single-owner/operator model benefits hugely from automation and remote visibility.

We’ve seen single-site laundromats in regional Victoria use a smart POS to double weekend takings, simply by enabling card payments and running $1-off mid-week promotions automatically.

In short: if you have even 4–5 machines and decent foot traffic, a Coin Laundry POS System can shift your monthly numbers upward without the need for more advertising or staff.

What should I consider before choosing a POS provider?

Here are a few real-world factors to look at:

• Is it plug-and-play? Or does it require expensive rewiring?

• Do they offer local support in Australia?

• Can it be integrated with loyalty programs or mobile apps?

• Does it offer real-time error alerts and uptime guarantees?

• What’s the transaction fee or monthly cost? (Watch for hidden extras)

For comparison and real data on top-performing systems, this industry overview of POS solutions provides some helpful benchmarks.

FAQ

Can I keep accepting coins alongside a POS system?Yes, many systems support hybrid setups. But as usage data shows, coin transactions are steadily declining year-on-year.

What happens if the internet goes down?Most systems store transactions offline and sync when connection returns. But always ask your provider about their offline policy.

Is training required for staff or customers?Minimal. POS interfaces are often touchscreen with clear prompts. Staff can learn in under an hour, and customers adapt fast—especially younger users.

The laundromat of the future isn’t flashier—it’s smarter. Small tweaks to how people pay and use your machines can lead to big shifts in revenue. And as more Australians go cashless, keeping up isn’t optional—it’s profitable.

If you’re exploring modern tech to streamline your operations, it’s worth reading more about how a Coin Laundry POS System can quietly lift your bottom line without shouting about it.