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Lapels Dry Cleaning
Lapels Dry Cleaning franchises provide environmentally friendly dry cleaning and laundry services through four business models: full-service Dry Cleaning Plants, Satellite Stores, Pick Up and Delivery (Lapels Delivers), and Laundromats. Services include dry cleaning, shirt service, laundry, tailoring, shoe repair, wedding gown storage, and other ancillary services, with some processing sub-contracted to approved professionals. The target market is the general public seeking professional dry cleaning and laundry services in a competitive market influenced by seasonality, climate, demographics, and economic conditions.
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Franchise Costs
6% royalty + 2% ad fund + $1,000/mo technology fee
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 77 franchised units (16 Plant/Satellite combo units, 33 Plant Only units, 28 Satellite Only units) from the 'Sales Metrics' table on page 2. These units were open at least 2 years as of December 31st, 2024, and report using the standard Point of Sale software.
* Weighted average gross revenue per unit was calculated from the 'Sales Metrics' table on page 2. The sample includes 8 'Plant Plus Satellite' enterprises (representing 16 units: 8 Plant and 8 Satellite), 33 'Plant Only' units, and 28 'Satellite Only' units, totaling 77 franchised units. For 'Plant Plus Satellite' enterprises, the average enterprise revenue of $812,377.05 was divided by 2 to get an average per unit of $406,188.525. The overall weighted average is: (16 units * $406,188.525 + 33 units * $422,081.54 + 28 units * $308,489.91) / 77 units = $377,473.05. Weighted average median gross revenue per unit was calculated similarly: (16 units * ($688,694.33 / 2) + 33 units * $404,844.77 + 28 units * $280,522.84) / 77 units = $347,065.86. Net Controllable Income is reported as 44.15% but is explicitly stated to exclude significant expenses like rent, taxes, interest, depreciation, and amortization (Notes 13 on page 4-5). Therefore, it cannot be used as average net income, net profit, or EBITDA, and no reliable best-guess profit range can be estimated from the provided data without further expense information.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $377,473
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Unlock financial performance dataLapels Dry Cleaning Franchise Analysis
Dry cleaning might seem like a steady business in any economy, but Lapels' 2025 FDD drops a curveball with its multi-model approach amid industry headwinds from apps and DIY trends. Item 19 revenue figures offer a glimpse into real-world performance, while SBA loan data and location trends whisper caution. Is this eco-focused brand's contraction a temporary hiccup or a sign of deeper challenges ahead?
Item 7 details the hefty entry: $426,748 to $777,300 initial investment, including a $60,000 franchise fee (Item 5). Ongoing fees hit hard at 6% royalty on gross sales (Item 6), plus 2% brand fund and a flat $1,000 monthly technology surcharge. Item 19 shines for disclosure, reporting average gross revenue of $377,473 and median $347,066 across locations—solid for cleaning services but with the gap suggesting top performers skew the average, meaning many owners likely clear under $350K before costs. No net profit data, so factor 25-35% expenses typical in the sector for potential EBITDA around $100K-$130K at median, assuming tight ops.
System health mixes signals: 81 active locations after dipping from 82 to 80 (-2% growth, Items 20/21), yet 22 projected new units signal franchisor optimism. SBA stats reveal 32 loans averaging $382,972 but a 12.5% default rate—above industry norms, hinting financing risks or operational strains. Litigation notes (Item 3) include breach and fee disputes with ex-franchisees, pointing to typical but noteworthy tensions. For investors eyeing services, Lapels offers diverse streams like laundromats and delivery, but contraction and defaults urge scrutiny of local demographics and competition before committing.
Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How Lapels Dry Cleaning Compares
Key Insights
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Cleaning Services
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lapels Dry Cleaning Current | $427K – $777K | $60K | 6.0% | 81 |
| COVERALL COMMERCIAL CLEANING FRANCHISE | $18K – $64K | $16K | 5.0% | 5,669 |
| VCS BUSINESS | $14K – $37K | $5K | 6.0% | 1,914 |
| THE MAIDS | $82K – $160K | $57K | 6.9% | 1,517 |
| Chem-Dry | $119K – $265K | $36K | 7.0% | 1,099 |
| MERRY MAIDS | $127K – $170K | $55K | 7.0% | 802 |
Cleaning Services Average 78 franchises | $177K – $370K | $46K | 7.1% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 78 Cleaning Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+2 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Lapels Dry Cleaning franchisees (2010 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
32 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
5 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
5 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Breach of contract, termination/abandonment, and unpaid fee collection disputes with former franchisees Maria and Egidio Barros.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise ranges from $426,748 to $777,300. This includes a franchise fee of $60,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
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