CHICAGO — Before we welcome in 2025, we’d like to take one last look back at the year that was and review the 2024 stories posted here on AmericanDrycleaner.com that garnered the most reader views.
(Click on the heading to visit each story. When the Top 10 story was part of a larger series, we have provided additional links so you can easily read the entire article.)
Counting down from No. 10 to No. 6, the list was:
10. ‘Clean Exit’ Program to Offer Options for Those Leaving Industry
Clean Brands, the parent of Martinizing Cleaners, Lapels Cleaners, 1-800-DryClean, Pressed4Time and Dry Cleaning Station, launched its “Clean Exit” program, designed to provide existing, unaffiliated drycleaning and laundromat owners with an exit strategy.
Under this program, Clean Brands said it planned to acquire existing companies, provide branding and appropriate systems and technology, utilize existing management and ultimately match ownership to a new franchisee. The program also targeted landlords who have a dry cleaner with an expiring lease or have a space they would like to fill.
9. DLI Names 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Each year, the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) board of directors brings on new members as other members retire or move into executive committee positions. In June, the organization announced its changes for the 2024-2025 term.
DLI bid farewell to Chairman Jeff Schwegmann II of U.S. Leather Cleaning and Sunshine Cleaners in Cold Spring, Kentucky, and John Mertes of Ziker Cleaners in Mishawaka, Indiana, at its Summer Board Meeting.
Kathy Benzinger moved to the chair position while Kyle Nesbit became president for the 2024-2025 term. Toran Brown became president-elect and Ray Kroner was elected treasurer. All executive committee positions were for the 2024–2025 term.
8. Cents Closes $40M Series B Funding Round
In August, Cents, an all-in-one business management platform, announced the close of its $40 million Series B funding round, bringing the company’s total funding to more than $77 million.
In addition to the financing, Cents acquired Laundroworks, a hardware-based payments system powering how consumers pay for laundry at laundromats and shared laundry rooms within multi-family buildings, hotels, universities, and more. Cents made the move, it reported, to reinforce its existing hardware product line.
7. CD One Price Cleaners Develops Digital Marketing Game
In March, CD One Price Cleaners, a Chicago-based drycleaning franchise, rewarded spring-cleaning customers with deals and promos via a new digital game.
“Spring Cleaning,” a digital game developed by the company, was part of the franchise’s effort to find innovative ways to interact with customers. The company also attempted to help the drycleaning industry as a whole by allowing San Diego-area ARYA Cleaners to use the game, as well.
6. Tide Cleaners and Tide Laundromats Expands in Florida
In August, Tide Services announced a major expansion push in Florida, led by franchisee group Consolidated Cleaners Inc. & Consolidated Laundromats LLC (CCI & CLL).
Under the leadership of Jon Kassolis, Robert Lyons, Duke Kassolis and Alton Scavo, the group said it would add 14 new Tide Cleaners locations in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Combined with their 19 other locations across South Florida, the move brought the total of stores in Florida to 33.
In addition, the company also announced that they were introducing the Tide Laundromat concept with five units in Broward County and planned to expand further into Miami-Dade.
Come back Tuesday, when we’ll reveal our top five articles of 2024!
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].
