Speed Queen^®

Other Services • Year: 2025

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What Is Speed Queen?

Speed Queen is a retail laundromat franchise that provides retail laundry and related services to the general public. The operational model is brick-and-mortar Speed Queen Stores occupying 3,000–6,000 square foot in-line, end-cap, or stand-alone spaces in high-traffic strip centers or mixed-use developments. It serves individual consumers (B2C) through self-service access to commercial washing machines, washer-extractors, tumblers, and related products.

Speed Queen Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchise's clean legal record — 0 disclosed lawsuits, 0 franchisor enforcement actions, and 0 franchisee-initiated judgments — reduces litigation risk and distractions, but its high upfront cost, with total investment ranging $1,199,663–$1,983,000 (Item 7 assets $624,363–$1,042,500), means significantly higher capital and financing needs than peers.

Pros

0 disclosed lawsuits, 0 franchisor enforcement actions, and 0 franchisee-initiated judgments — all well below what's typical in Other Services, pointing to a clean legal record and fewer regulatory or litigation distractions for operators.

Initial franchise fees are refundable (an uncommon feature — only about 14.8% of Other Services franchises offer this), which reduces upfront signing risk and preserves cash if the deal doesn't proceed.

Manager required equity percentage = 0 (unusual in Other Services) — you can hire and compensate managers without being forced to give them an ownership stake, giving you flexibility in structuring the operating team.

Cons

Max total investment $1,983,000 and min total $1,199,663 are well above typical for Other Services, meaning your upfront capital and likely financing needs will be significantly higher than industry peers.

Item 7 Assets max $1,042,500 and Item 7 Assets min $624,363 are well above typical, indicating substantial equipment and build-out costs that add to the cash required to open.

No mandatory ongoing training (unusual — about 88.9% of franchises do require this) suggests you may receive less structured post-opening support, increasing the operational burden on a new owner.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Territory Protection

45/100

NORMAL

Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. The franchisor retains rights to develop nearby units, sell via e‑commerce and alternative distribution channels, operate under different trademarks or venues, and acquire or convert sites; protection is contingent on meeting performance quotas and site-specific contingencies.

Training & Support

56/100

NORMAL

The brand provides a robust 92-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two initial trainees for launch through a structured curriculum. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness; franchisees are responsible for travel and lodging, and on-site support carries additional fees.

Unit Growth Analysis

This franchise grew from 16 units in 2022 to 29 units in 2025, but the expansion is clearly decelerating: YoY additions were +8 units (50.0%) in 2023, +4 units (16.7%) in 2024 and only +1 unit (3.6%) in 2025. For investors this signals positive but maturing franchise health — the system is still adding locations but the sharp decline in growth rate (50% → 16.7% → 3.6%) suggests possible market saturation or franchise-development constraints that deserve investigation (pipeline, unit economics, or territory availability).

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Speed Queen Franchise?

Opening a Speed Queen franchise requires a total initial investment of $1,199,663 to $1,983,000, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$1,199,663

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$1,983,000

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$49,500

Real Estate$375,000

Equipment & Assets$624,363

Reserves$20,000

Training$0

Other$130,800

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$49,500

Real Estate$687,500

Equipment & Assets$1,042,500

Reserves$40,000

Training$0

Other$163,500

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do Speed Queen Franchise Owners Make?

Speed Queen franchise locations reported average gross sales of $570,481 and median gross sales of $544,226 in 2025, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$570,481

Median Gross Sales:

$544,226

High Gross Sales:

$1,660,758

Low Gross Sales:

$186,981

Sample Size:

Percent Attaining Average:

46.0%

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: Franchised outlets averaged 570480.67 in gross sales for 2024, which is lower than company-owned Top and Mid tier averages (1,063,988 and 837,552) and close to the company Low tier average (525,284), indicating franchised units are generally performing nearer the lower-performing corporate stores.

Performance Variability Analysis: Gross sales among franchised stores show substantial variability, ranging from 186,981 to 1,660,758, suggesting outcomes can differ widely by location or operations; the modest sample size of 12 increases sensitivity to outliers.

Data Scope and Limitations: The franchised performance data cover 12 stabilized outlets for most of 2024 and exclude two franchise openings in 2024, and no expense or audited figures are provided for franchised units, limiting profitability analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open a Speed Queen franchise?

The total initial investment for a Speed Queen franchise ranges from $1,199,663 to $1,983,000, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the Speed Queen initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for Speed Queen is $49,500, as stated in the 2025 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

How much do Speed Queen franchise owners make?

Speed Queen franchise locations reported average gross sales of $570,481 and median gross sales of $544,226 in 2025, based on Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. Actual earnings vary by location, market, and operator experience.

Does Speed Queen have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

Speed Queen received a legal risk score of 100 out of 100 in the 2025 FDD analysis. The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Does Speed Queen offer exclusive franchise territories?

Speed Queen received a territory protection score of 45 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.

What training does Speed Queen provide to new franchisees?

Speed Queen received a training and support score of 56 out of 100. The brand provides a robust 92-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two initial trainees for launch through a structured curriculum.

How many Speed Queen franchise locations are there?

Speed Queen had 29 total locations as of the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document.

What type of business is Speed Queen?

Speed Queen is a retail laundromat franchise that provides retail laundry and related services to the general public.

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