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franchise.co.nz – PUTTING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
s Speed Queen’s head of laundromat sales, Royce Little has spent
nearly a decade helping people set up successful laundromats
across New Zealand. He recently took the plunge – putting himself in the
position he had seen so many clients in.
With a background as an account manager, Royce was introduced to
Speed Queen by a mutual colleague. “I immediately had the right feeling
about the company,” he recalls. “At my initial interview I made it clear I
am not a snake oil salesman – I have to be passionate about and believe
in the product I’m selling.”
Over eight years later, Royce has helped launch dozens of laundromats
throughout the country. When a particularly compelling opportunity
recently presented itself, he took the leap into creating one for himself.
In a small rural town, a retail site became available in a prime location
with ample parking. The only other laundromat in the area used a
proprietary pre-paid card system – something laundromat customers
really don’t like. Royce knew this was an ideal situation for a Speed
Queen setup, which accepts any standard EFTPOS or credit card.
A whole new insight
Still, the move from adviser to investor wasn’t made without doubt. “It’s
always a decision fraught with anxiety for any investor,” he says. “I’m
very glad I’ve done it, because it’s given me a whole new insight into
what our laundromat owners go through.”
Royce’s partner, Tammy, was the one who gave him the final push. “She
reminded me that I know what I’m doing. I’ve seen this work for so many
people. It was time to jump.”
Royce admits he got excited by a few tempting locations before landing
the right one. “Tammy kept me grounded,” he laughs. “She’d say, ‘Don’t
compromise, the parking’s not great there – look again.’ And she was
right. It’s very tempting to seize the first opportunity, but I had to follow
the same disciplined approach I recommend to others.”
Remote management
and self-service
The fact that the location was
several hours’ drive from Royce’s
home didn’t faze him, “The remote
management and self-service
nature of our laundromats make
it entirely possible to own one
in a different town than you live
in”. With no cash onsite, camera
systems, auto doors and excellent
cloud systems, Speed Queen
laundromat owners often live away
from their businesses.
The experience of becoming a laundromat owner has deepened Royce’s
empathy and understanding of Speed Queen clients. “I’ve now learned
things I never would have if I hadn’t put myself in their shoes. I’ve put my
money where my mouth is, and I’m better for it.”
Royce sees the continuing rise of laundromats as a response to modern
life. “People are time-poor, apartments are smaller, and the cost of
running domestic washing machines is rising. Self-serve laundromats
are efficient, convenient, and many are open 24 hours a day. Provided
there’s plenty of parking, they’re an ideal option for so many families to
do their laundry.”
A unique proposition
Speed Queen offers a unique business proposition. It’s not a franchise,
investors operate under their own brand, but with support from Speed
Queen’s experienced team. This includes help with site selection,
layout design, machine optimisation, and compliance with council and
commercial water regulations.
“There’s no hard and fast rule about how long it takes to set up,” Royce
explains. “In my case it took about six months to find the site, then five
months to fit it out. But within four months of opening, I broke even on
rent, running expenses, equipment and utilities.”
The cost of establishing a medium-sized laundromat ranges between
$250,000 and $350,000, with a deposit of $100,000 typically required.
Returns are often in the 20–30% range, with some owners exceeding
even that.
“Our track record speaks for itself,” Royce says, “in almost 30 years,
we’ve never had a Speed Queen-equipped laundromat fail.”
Success after success
The technology behind Speed Queen makes investing in building
a laundromat with us even more attractive. The system is cashless,
remotely managed, and built with rugged, commercial-grade equipment
that lasts. Investors don’t need staff or even a prime retail location – just
visibility and parking.
“If you’re considering a semi-passive, remotely managed business that
generates real income, I’d love to talk,” says Royce. “We’ve identified
several locations across New Zealand with strong potential. I’ve been
there. I’ve done it. And I know it works.”
And that’s what makes this story
different: Speed Queen isn’t just selling
equipment. With Royce on the team,
they’re sharing experience on how to
create a business – someone who’s
helped build success after success, and
who now has real skin in the game.
Speed Queen
www.speedqueen.co.nz
Contact
Royce Little
09 528 5600
Royce@speedqueen.co.nz
Advertiser Info
Cashless and remotely managed
WALKING
THE TALK
Opportunity: Retail
Speed Queen’s Royce Little
put his money where his
mouth was - it paid off.