Walk the talk

As 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.  

See this advertorial on page 55 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 34 Issue 2

Contact details for Speed Queen

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