Lapels Dry Cleaning

Lapels Dry Cleaning is a franchise brand in the dry cleaning industry that focuses on environmentally friendly practices and garment care. The company was founded in 2000 in Hanover, Massachusetts, with the stated goal of creating the first environmentally friendly dry cleaning franchise. Lapels Dry Cleaning is now headquartered in Naples, Florida. Kevin DuBois is the CEO, and Michael Eisner is VP of Franchise Development and Real Estate. One report lists 31 units, all franchised. Other reports describe 83 locations across the United States, over 100 storefronts today, and over 100 Lapels Dry Cleaning locations nationwide. A separate 2024 count lists 81 total units, including 2 new units opened that year. The brand operates in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. It has also expanded into New York, North Carolina, and Illinois, with locations planned for Boston, Massachusetts, and Latham, New York. In 2015, Lapels Dry Cleaning entered a consulting agreement with World Franchise Associates, or WFA, to explore markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Dubai was identified as a possible first international market. Lapels provides dry cleaning, laundry, tailoring, alterations, and specialized garment care through a 100% non toxic cleaning process. The broader dry cleaning and laundry industry is expected to generate approximately $9 billion in revenue in the near future and was valued at USD 12.9 billion using a five year historical analysis. These figures give buyers a basis for assessing the market surrounding the franchise, while PeerSense presents the information as independent franchise research rather than brand promotional material.

The U.S. dry cleaning and laundry industry is expected to generate approximately $9 billion in future revenue and has a USD 12.9 billion valuation based on a five year historical analysis. Demand is supported by increasing urbanization, higher disposable income, and consumer interest in convenience. Lapels Dry Cleaning has also entered the coin operated laundries segment. That market is expected to grow from USD 2.30 billion in 2025 to USD 2.48 billion in 2026, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 8.20% and a projected value of USD 3.99 billion by 2032. Worldwide, the coin operated laundries market was estimated at USD 17.55 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 35.84 billion by 2030. Its projected compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2030 is 9.3%, and North America held more than a 45.0% share in 2022. Consumer behavior also supports outsourced laundry services. A reported 70% of consumers prioritize time saving services, while 60% show increased awareness of garment maintenance. The sector has moved toward environmentally friendly cleaning, digital services, on demand applications, subscription models, and contactless pickup and delivery. Lapels Dry Cleaning has an existing presence in some of these areas or plans to add them. Dry Cleaning & Specialty Garment Care represents 40% of service type demand. Self Service & Coin Operated Laundry represents 30%, Wash & Fold Services represents 20%, and Eco Friendly & Organic Cleaning Solutions represents 10%. Brick and mortar laundromats and dry cleaners account for 55% of sales, while on demand and application based laundry services account for 30%. The average U.S. household washes 8 to 10 loads of laundry each week, and a growing share of households seeks third party services for convenience. The industry still faces pressure from casual workplace practices, changing environmental regulations, and high operating expenses. Average expenses are reported at $1.5 million per establishment each year. Local competition remains fragmented, with opportunities to convert independently owned mom and pop dry cleaning businesses, while corporate consolidation is occurring through the formation of Clean Franchise Brands.

The initial Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise fee ranges from $25,000 to $50,000 under a 10 year renewable agreement. Total initial investment for a Lapels franchise is reported between $42,000 and $730,000, depending on the business model and location. A Lapels® Plant requires between $391,281 and $730,122 in one report, or between $391,031 and $710,122 in another. The plant figures include a $50,000 initial franchise fee, a $7,000 initial training and site support fee, estimated travel and living expenses during training of $250 to $2,000, real estate and prepaid rent, security, and utility deposits of $0 to $15,000, leasehold improvements of $0 to $160,000, and startup supplies and equipment costing $293,851 to $329,062. A Lapels® Satellite Store requires between $91,752 and $211,212, or between $91,502 and $206,212 under another report. The Lapels® Pick Up and Delivery Model requires $41,500 to $73,200. A separate figure for the Lapels delivery service is $40,050 to $68,200. The Lapels® Laundromat model requires $320,884 to $592,210. Converting a mom and pop dry cleaning business may cost $30,000 to $250,000, depending on upgrades and rebranding. Ongoing royalty figures are reported as 8% of gross sales and, in another source, 6% of gross sales. Minimum liquid capital is reported as $100,000, with another source stating $50,000. Minimum net worth is $350,000. Clean Franchise Brands provides the corporate structure behind Lapels Dry Cleaning. Kevin DuBois created the company in 2021 through the acquisition of Martinizing, 1 800 Dry Cleaning, Pressed 4 Time, Dry Cleaning Station, and Bizziebox. The supplied information does not state specific SBA eligibility or veteran incentives, so buyers should address those questions during financing and franchise due diligence.

Lapels Dry Cleaning uses an operating model intended to be run by a small, easily trained staff. Previous dry cleaning experience is not required, and the model is described as having low labor costs. Franchisees can choose among several formats based on available capital, local demand, and growth plans. A centralized environmentally friendly plant with a retail store can service an additional five satellite stores within the franchisee's exclusive territory. Other formats include the Lapels® Plant, Lapels® Satellite Store, Lapels® Pick Up and Delivery Model, and Lapels® Laundromat. Initial training consists of 7 days of hands on instruction at a live training store. After training, the corporate team works with franchisees on operations, and franchisees can compare procedures and business practices with other owners in the network. Support includes site selection, build out guidance, launch assistance, preferred vendor pricing, vendor relationships, digital marketing, local marketing, continuing training, and franchise coaching. The franchisor also offers financial assistance, site selection assistance, and lease negotiation assistance. Territory protection and market exclusivity are addressed during the discovery process. The supplied information does not state specific multi unit requirements or expectations. However, the ability of one plant to serve multiple satellite stores supports a multi unit growth strategy. The model also permits absentee ownership, which may suit buyers who want to maintain other professional commitments while adding a franchise business.

Lapels Dry Cleaning has several potential revenue sources, including pickup and delivery, alterations, and business to business partnerships, in addition to standard dry cleaning services. These channels are intended to diversify sales and increase revenue potential per unit. Unit counts also vary among reports. One report lists 31 franchised units, while others cite 83 locations across the United States, over 100 storefronts today, over 100 Lapels Dry Cleaning locations nationwide, and 81 total units in 2024, including 2 new units opened that year. The Loan Activity Score for Lapels Dry Cleaning is 48, categorized as Fair by PeerSense. The score indicates stable performance with room for improvement or performance within an average range compared with the relevant franchise companies. A buyer should reconcile the different unit counts, revenue figures, cost assumptions, and fee disclosures before relying on any projection.

Lapels Dry Cleaning has expanded through new units, acquisitions, format changes, and geographic growth. Reported system size ranges from 31 franchised units to 83 locations, over 100 storefronts nationwide, and 81 total units in 2024 with 2 new units opened. In 2021, CEO Kevin DuBois acquired Martinizing, 1 800 Dry Cleaning, Pressed 4 Time, Dry Cleaning Station, and Bizziebox. Those acquisitions led to Clean Franchise Brands, which became the parent company of Lapels Dry Cleaning and increased its corporate scale. In 2018, Lapels introduced a new store and plant design with an open floor plan, slate colored tiles, gray walls, quartz countertops, and dark gray cabinets. The design also included a 24 hour, 7 day drop off area with a kiosk and an ATM for locker access. In March 2026, Josh and Jan Bryan announced plans to grow Lapels Cleaners in North Mississippi by opening 3 locations in New Albany, Tupelo, and Saltillo. They also took ownership of 2 existing Lapels locations and rebranded a former Martinizing Cleaners location. Their New Albany location was named Best of Union County 2025 by The New Albany Gazette. Lapels promotes its environmental position through a 100% non toxic cleaning process, which corresponds with the 10% market share attributed to Eco Friendly & Organic Cleaning Solutions. Entrepreneur magazine named Lapels the number 1 Dry Cleaning Franchise opportunity and has included the company in its Top 500 Franchises for the past 20 years. Lapels was also included in Franchise Dictionary's Top 100 Game Changer List. The store design, 24 hour, 7 day access, and planned application based services address changing customer preferences. International plans include the 2015 consulting agreement with World Franchise Associates to explore the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with Dubai identified as a target market.

A typical Lapels Dry Cleaning candidate may be an entrepreneur leaving a corporate career. The brand describes analytical professionals such as engineers and architects as examples of people who may pursue ownership after deciding to become their own boss. Prior dry cleaning experience is not required, but management experience and an understanding of business operations are valued. The small staff structure, low labor costs, and training model are intended to make the business accessible to owners without specific dry cleaning knowledge. Absentee ownership is permitted, which may appeal to buyers diversifying an existing portfolio or continuing another professional role. The brand operates in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. It has also entered New York, North Carolina, and Illinois. Planned markets include Boston, Massachusetts, and Latham, New York. The 2015 agreement with World Franchise Associates covers possible expansion into the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with Dubai identified for an international debut. The franchise agreement lasts 10 years and is renewable. The supplied information does not provide a specific period from signing to opening or detailed transfer and resale terms. A centralized plant can serve up to five satellite stores within the franchisee's territory, supporting a strategy based on multiple units and broader local market coverage.

Its services include dry cleaning, laundry, tailoring, alterations, and specialized garment care. The 100% non toxic cleaning process corresponds with consumer interest in environmentally friendly services, while the reported 70% preference for time saving services supports demand for pickup, delivery, and other convenience formats. The creation of Clean Franchise Brands in 2021 through Kevin DuBois's acquisition of Martinizing, 1 800 Dry Cleaning, Pressed 4 Time, Dry Cleaning Station, and Bizziebox gives Lapels a broader corporate structure. Investment options range from the Lapels® Pick Up and Delivery Model at $41,500 to $73,200, with another delivery figure of $40,050 to $68,200, to the Lapels® Plant range of $391,281 to $730,122 and the alternative plant range of $391,031 to $710,122. Entrepreneur magazine recognition over the past 20 years and a Loan Activity Score of 48, categorized as Fair, provide context but do not replace unit level due diligence. The 2018 store design, with 24 hour, 7 day drop off and kiosk access, shows an effort to address convenience and changing service preferences. Buyers should examine the fee ranges, capital requirements, unit count differences, revenue information, operating expenses, territory terms, and financing options before deciding whether the franchise fits their resources and objectives.