Washer turns after 7:00 pm

[bota]

Hi. I am interested in purchasing a mat that currently closes at 7:00pm (last wash at 6:00pm).

Is there any research that discusses washer turns by time? I am thinking we can gain about 1.5-2 turns by staying open until 10:00pm.

Any help (scientific or seat of the pants) would be helpful.

Thanks.

[Jim]

It is a no brainer that you could increase business by staying open later....just use yourself as an example...
Lets say you work till 5 or 6 at night, as many do ... how many washes can you get in if the last wash is at 6pm....

Hmmm lets do the math here.....none.

...as far as how much more business you can do, each location and mat is different...

My one mat does mostly night business and my other does mostly morning...

If you purchase it definatly change the hours.....

[bota]

Thanks Jim. I was thinking that it could raise our turns by atleast 1.5, maybe 2. I'm with you - people haven't even eaten their dinner by 6:00pm, let alone get their last load of laundry into the dryers.

I am putting together a biz plan for the bank and wanted to include some data to show how we can drive new revenues just by staying open an additional 3 hours.

bota

[Anonymous]

Be careful, it might be true or it might not. You are operating on the build it and they will come philosophy. Maybe in that area people don't want to wash later. Maybe they want to wash early and on the weekends - or maybe not. The point is you need to talk to customers and find out. You might find that the cost for staffing, lights, heat, etc.. might be more than the additional business - or it might be great.

[Jim]

Kirby brings up a good point....also you may want to look into opening earlier ...

[mike]

Both my stores close early.

My staff won't work late alone in the "hoods" my mats are in :-(

Both open at 7:00 a.m.
(I am at the big store on sat. a.m. and I let in customers
if they come early, 5:30 or 6:00 a.m.)

[bota]

All good feedback. I'm going to do my laundry at the competitors location at 7:00pm to see. From what I've been told, they usually have quite a crowd in there after dinner time.

I've got some extra wash to do anyhow....

Thanks again for the help.

bota