Published on 6 Apr 2021 Time 5 min read Last update by 25 Jan 2024

Martinizing Dry Cleaning Franchise Review (2021) 

Martinizing Dry Cleaning is dedicated to making their customer’s buying experience seamless. The goal is to make customer’s life easier by delivering quality garment care along with new technologies. They are the largest and best known dry cleaners in the U.S.

Martinizing Dry Cleaning Franchise Background 

They provide dry cleaning, shirt laundry, alterations, wash & fold, bulk laundry, leather cleaning, wedding gown cleaning and wedding gown preservation in addition to many bulky household items such as comforters

Martinizing Dry cleaning offers counter service, pick-up and delivery service (residential and commercial), lockers and on demand (via smartphone)

Management Team

Martinizing Dry Cleaning was founded in 1949 as a family-owned business. Martin Franchises which is the parent company, is the largest dry cleaning franchise in the United States and has over 450 franchised stores.

In 2014, the company was acquired by The Huntington Company. They are based in Berkley, Michigan, and are a multi-concept franchisor focused on providing the absolute best textile restoration and retail dry cleaning and laundry services. They are operators, giving them the experience, core competencies and leadership capabilities and enable them to provide world-class support to help their companies grow and succeed in their local market.

dry cleaning

Franchise Cleaning and Maintenance Industry Analysis

Franchise Strengths

  • Established franchisor that provides strong training and support
  • Recurring revenue model where most clients become repeat customers
  • Brand name is very recognized in all demographic groups
  • Recession-proof industry
  • It is a need based service rather than a luxury

Franchise Weaknesses

  • Labor-intensive industry, may de difficult to find qualified employees
  • Very mature industry with many competitors

Cleaning and Maintenance Industry Franchise Opportunities 

  • The dry cleaning industry is worth $9 billion dollars in the U.S. (Martinizing brochure)
  • Territories available all over the U.S.
  • No other competitors as large as Martinizing
  • Ability to buy existing locations, convert them to Martinizing, then expand in the area by creating “routes”
  • Technology utilization will create more opportunities for revenue growth

Threats in the Cleaning and Maintenance Industry Franchise Market

  • Depending on the city, the market might have many competitors
  • Potential for employee turnover if employee is not the right fit for business model
  • People may choose to wash and clean clothes at home

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How Much is a Martinizing Dry Cleaners Franchise?

Martinizing Dry Cleaning Franchise cost ranges from $419,650 to $730,525 according to the 2019FDD

Cost Types

Amount (in USD)

When Due

To Whom Payment is to Be Made

Low

High

Franchise Fee

$69,500

$69,500

Upon signing FA

Franchisor

Plant Purchse

300,000

450,000

Upon purchase of your dry cleaning and laundry plant

Third Party

Machinery and Equipment

0

15,000

Immediately upon your receiept

Third Party

Basic Operating Supplies

2,300

2,300

Immediately upon your receipt

Third Party

Initial Package Fee

7,500

21,000

Prior to completion to the Martinizing Training Program

Martinizing

Site Selection Fee

500

2,000

Immediately upon your receipt

Third Party

Shipping and Taxes for Initial Package Items

1001,525As part of the initial Package Fee payments or, immediately upon receipt of invoiceMartinzing or Third Party
Equipment Installation, Training and Temporary Storage01,200Immediately upon your receiptContractors, Suppliers, Manufacturers
Security and Utility Deposits for Leased Franchised Location/Martinizing Store and Business Licenses05,000Upon signing Lease or as agreedLessor, Utilities, Government Agencies
First Three Month’s Rent for Leased Franchised Location/Martinizing Store10,00015,000As specified in LeaseLessor
Leasehold Improvements020,000Before OpeningTradesmen, Contractors
Rebranding17,00025,000Before OpeningTradesmen, Contractors
Vehicle Lease or Purchase Payments for First Month02,000Before OpeningThird Parties
Travel, Lodging, Expense, and Salary, if any, of Persons Attending Martinizing Training Program5003,000Before and During Martinizing Training ProgramAirlines, Hotels, Restaurants, Manaing Person or other representatives of your  Franchised Business
Dry Cleaning Solvent License Fee03,000Before OpeningSolvent Distributor
Legal, Accounting and Loan Fees2,0008,000As AgreedLawyers, Accountants, Financial Institutions
Insurance2501,000Depends on Insurance AgencyThirs Parties
Computer Hardware and Software04,000Before OpeningThird Parties
Point of Sale System02,000Before OpeningThird Party Vendors and Suppliers
General Business Supplies010,000As incurredMartinizing, Vendors, Suppliers, Employees, Utilities
Additional Funds – 3 months10,00070,000As IncurredThird Parties

Total

$419,650$730,525

Martinizing

Estimated Initial Investment – Drop Store Franchise

Cost TypesAmount (in USD)When DueTo Whom Payment is to Be Made
LowHigh
Franchise Fee$69,500$69,500Upon signing FAFranchisor
Drop Store Purchase50,000140,000Upon purchase of your dry cleaning and laundry plantThird Party
Machinery and Equipment00Immediately upon your receieptThird Party
Basic Operating Supplies2,3002,300Immediately upon your receiptThird Party
Initial Package Fee7,50021,000Prior to completion to the Martinizing Training ProgramMartinizing
Site Selection Fee5002,000Immediately upon your receiptThird Party
Shipping and Taxes for Initial Package Items1001,525As part of the initial Package Fee payments or, immediately upon receipt of invoiceMartinzing or Third Party

Equipment Installation, Training and Temporary Storage

01,200Immediately upon your receiptContractors, Suppliers, Manufacturers
Security and Utility Deposits for Leased Franchised Location/Martinizing Store and Business Licenses03,000Upon signing Lease or as agreedLessor, Utilities, Government Agencies
First Three Month’s Rent for Leased Franchised Location/Martinizing Store6,0009,000As specified in LeaseLessor
Leasehold Improvements05,000Before OpeningTradesmen, Contractors
Rebranding17,00025,000Before OpeningTradesmen, Contractors
Travel, Lodging, Expense, and Salary, if any, of Persons Attending Martinizing Training Program2501,500Before and During Martinizing Training ProgramAirlines, Hotels, Restaurants, Manaing Person or other representatives of your  Franchised Business
Legal, Accounting and Loan Fees2,0008,000As AgreedLawyers, Accountants, Financial Institutions

Insurance

250400Depends on Insurance AgencyThirs Parties
Computer Hardware and Software04,000Before OpeningThird Parties
Point of Sale System02,000Before OpeningThird Party Vendors and Suppliers
General Business Supplies03,000As incurredMartinizing, Vendors, Suppliers, Employees, Utilities
Additional Funds – 3 months5,00020,000As IncurredThird Parties
Total$160,400$318,425
RoyaltyAd-Fund
6%1%

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How Much does a Martinizing Dry Cleaning Franchise Make?

QuestionTotal # of RespondentsAverageHighLowMedianNumber and Percentage that Attained or Exceeded the Average
Number of Plant Stores211.29311.004 (19%)
Number of Drop Stores210.43300.005 (24%)
Monthly Gross Sales21$73,518$240,407$21,171$52,6326 (29%)
Monthly Labor Cost21$33,073$97,430$4,693$22,7226 (29%)
Monthly Rent21$8,969$17,077$3,129$8,7059 (43%)
Monthly Debt Service21$3,508$13,750$0$2,8727 (33%)
Discretionary Cash Flow19$11,707$59,000-$6,882$9,1677 (37%)

Route Gross Sales

16$24,357$140,320$5,000$13,6124 (25%)
Annual Gross Sales Per Drop Store7$309,722$1,400,000$145,000$223,7692 (29%)
Annual Labor Cost Per Drop Store6$106,490$496,000$37,000$73,7912 (33%)
Annual Rent Cost Per Drop Store7$34,696$50,400$25,000$35,4004 (57%)
Annual Gross Sales Per Plant Store17$510,691$1,600,000$250,000$439,0002 (29%)
Annual Labor Cost Per Plant Store15$181,732$600,000$22,000$160,0002 (33%)
Annual Rent Cost Per Plant Store16$62,478$145,526$37,500$55,7384 (57%)
Average Plant Store Ticket16$25.85$38.00$13.00$25.006 (38%)

Average Route Services Ticket

13$29.69$46.00$14.00$32.007 (54%)
QuestionAverageHighLowMedianNumber and Percentage that Attained or Exceeded the Average
Number of Lockers9,672212 (33%)
Annual Gross Locker Sales$5,375$1,698$19,594$4172 (33%)
Gross Sales Per Locker$674$500$1,306$2352 (33%)
Months Lockers were in Operations during Calendar year 20177.56.51232 (33%)

Acquisition Cost

Acquisition Gross SalesAcquisition Discretionary Cash Flow# Plant Stores Acquired# Drop Stores Acquired# Months between Signing Franchise Agreement and Closing (or Scheduling of Closing) on Acquisition
$300,000$350,000$90,0001 5.5
$50,000$60,000$0 17.5
$415,000$604,000$194.0001 5.5
$25,000$110.000$35.000 16.5
$110,000$318,864$71.3331 3.5
$190,000$372,000$44.366 13.5
$750,000$683,000$50.0001 7.5
$299,000$438,019$118.0001 11.5
$275,000$511,719$145.268 25.5
$565,000$686,000$190.000119.5
$300,000$380,000$01 11.5
$245,000$234,554$70.1901 11.5
$575,000$1,300,000$120.000215.5
$444,000$464,000$130.000116.5
$190,000$238,630$26.4821 1.5
$250,000$335,000$80.0001 9.5
$1,050,000$1,037,000$260.0003 3.5
$370,000$540,000$79.7971 11.5
$520,000$720,000$225.0001110.5
$810,000$774,396$204.254116.5
$225,000$233,760$17.8851 3.5
$325,000$370,000$20.0002 7.5
$163,000$299,140$52.4501 11.5

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