Business Operations of a Coin/Card Operated Laundromat

Abstract

The study aims to assess the effectiveness of business operations of a self-service coin/card operated laundromat in Makati City. The quantitative method of research was used in this study. In the survey method, participants answered questions administered through interviews or questionnaires. After the participants answered the questions, the researcher described the responses given. From the method used, the study entitled, “Business Operations of a Self Serviced Coin/Card Operated Laundromat”, measured the variables that would affect the business operations of self-serviced-coin/card-operated laundromats in Makati City. The aim of using quantitative research was to determine the business operations in terms of Finance (labor cost and material cost), Marketing and Production. Based on the findings, the respondents assessed the business operations of self-service coin/card operated laundromat in terms of Investment in finance, particularly in labor and material cost, and production as effective business factors, whereas marketing was evaluated as effective business operation. Furthermore, in terms of Finance, particularly in labor cost, instead of reallocating staff duties in assisting customer on how to use the washers and dryers, the owner can employ an average of 2 staff for every 5 washers and 5 dryers per business location. The owner can assign shifting schedules. This idea will lower the labor cost, since the next time the customer will avail of the laundromat service, they would already know how the machine operates. In terms of finance, under material cost, energy efficient machines are expensive for commercial washers and dryers, the owner can avail the cheaper machines when starting the business, and with this, the owner can weigh the progress and profitability of business. They can upgrade the machines once the business stabilizes. Costs for basins are saved, but the customers have to use baskets to separate clothes after wash. The owner can also give promos to customers when they avail the service for dryers. In terms of marketing, instead of putting up thrift shops, the owner can do a promotional strategy. To cite example, the owner can offer a pickup and delivery services to customers, here the customer saves time in long queues and the level of service satisfaction rises. Another strategy is to build a “laundry on the go” application. Here, you have to have an application in the customer’s device. What they need to do is to book the services that the laundry shop offers, they also have the option of pickup and delivery. The owners’ income will definitely rise as customers avail more services. Further studies for ‘laundry on the go’ is needed to analyze the impact of technology on business. In terms of production, good will means additional customers availing of the service. Based on the study, the machines work on average of 1 hour per spin of washer and another 1 hour for dryer. To avoid long queues, the owner should know the capacity per machine, the hours of operations and how many customers can be served in a day.