The commercial laundry industry is evolving fast. As customer expectations shift and operational costs continue to climb, more operators are investing in smarter, more efficient equipment to stay competitive. Coinless laundry machines are no longer seen as a luxury; they’re quickly becoming the new standard. The shift isn’t only about convenience for the consumer. It’s also about giving operators the ability to remotely manage their business, streamline operations, and unlock new revenue opportunities through modern, unattended payment technology.
Why the Industry Is Moving Beyond Coins
Coin-based laundry systems may be familiar, but they come with growing challenges. They expose machines to theft, vandalism, and higher maintenance from jams or collection issues. For operators, managing coins adds time, operational complexity, and security concerns, especially across multiple locations.
At the same time, consumer behavior is changing. Fewer people carry cash, let alone coins, and many now expect fast, contactless payment options that align with how they pay for everything else. By removing the need for physical currency, operators not only reduce risk and overhead but also meet the rising demand for a faster, more intuitive user experience. Coinless machines reflect modern payment expectations and help future-proof laundry operations.
These shifts aren’t just changing how customers interact with machines; they’re reshaping the laundry industry’s competitive landscape. As digital payments become the norm, laundromats that stay coin-only risk falling behind. The global shift toward cashless technology is accelerating, with more businesses recognizing the value of smart-enabled machines that support unattended operations.
Consumers today expect the same ease in laundromats that they get in retail, food service, and parking. Distributors who equip their clients with modern payment options are helping them meet those expectations and capture new growth opportunities.
Why Coinless Laundry Pays Off
Smarter payment systems do more than modernize the customer experience, they deliver measurable returns for laundromat operators. Industry reports show that businesses upgrading to card-based and contactless payment systems see an average revenue increase of 17–22% compared to coin-only setups. This growth is driven by larger average ticket sizes, the ability to implement flexible pricing, and improved uptime thanks to fewer maintenance issues. On the operations side, removing coins can cut cash-handling and maintenance tasks by up to 70%, reducing overhead and freeing up time to focus on business growth.
In North America, this shift is accelerating. The region’s cashless laundry machine market was valued at $1.5 billion in 2024 and continues to grow steadily. Contactless payments alone now account for nearly 25% of all U.S. card transactions, a sharp rise from just 3% five years ago. These trends show that cashless convenience is quickly becoming the norm. For laundromats, moving beyond coins isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about staying ahead. Operators and distributors who adopt modern payment solutions are positioning themselves to meet rising demand, streamline operations, and drive long-term profitability.
As the demand for cashless convenience grows, the opportunity to modernize and monetize is clear. With the right technology in place, coinless laundry becomes more than a trend — it becomes a competitive advantage.
At WeVend, we provide innovative unattended payment solutions that power smarter laundry systems. From contactless-ready devices to real-time business management tools, our platform helps simplify operations and unlock new revenue opportunities. Whether you’re upgrading existing equipment or planning for future growth, WeVend makes it easier to deliver a secure, seamless, and scalable payment experience.
Let’s connect and explore how WeVend can support your next step. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or book a demo.
