NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Zengeler Cleaners, a family-owned dry cleaner operating in the Midwest since 1857, recently completed a $5 million capital reinvestment program begun five years ago in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The multi-year effort included new equipment, infrastructure improvements, rebranding and the relocation of one of the company’s oldest stores.

“Our company has been in business approaching 170 years, surviving everything from the Great Chicago Fire, two world wars, the Great Depression and the Great Recession,” said President Tom Zengeler. “My great-great-grandfather, John Zengeler, founded the company in 1857 on a set of values and standards that have been passed down to each generation. These values include commitment to the local community, the highest standard of fabric care for customers and respect for every employee of the company. Our reinvestment campaign demonstrates how those values continue to drive our decisions in 2026 and beyond.”

The program included new drycleaning and laundry production equipment at two locations, designed to improve efficiency and provide redundancy. Among the additions was the Metalprogetti Giulietta all-in-one auto-bagging system at the Northbrook location, which integrates order assembly, bagging and labeling after the cleaning and pressing process. The company also expanded its network of self-service kiosks, extending customer access around the clock.

Store remodeling and rebranding accompanied the equipment upgrades at several locations.

“When our customers are asked why they choose Zengeler Cleaners, their responses almost always focus on quality,” Zengeler says. “They expect us to treat them, and their dry cleaning and laundry, with the utmost attention and care. These capital investments help ensure we can deliver on those expectations. That’s why our upgrades included remodeling and rebranding our stores, just as we upgraded our processing equipment, so customers can see the enhancements as they walk into our stores. Each step communicates an important message: We value our customers, we are committed to their communities and we are here to stay.”