ZIPS Cleaners
Home Services · Cleaning Services
- Active units
- 52
- Avg unit volume
- $1.1M
- Royalty
- 6.0%
Franchised, year-end 2025
Item 19 cohort year 2025
of weekly Net Sales
About ZIPS Cleaners
ZIPS Cleaners is your go-to brand for top-notch dry cleaning and garment care at an affordable price. With a commitment to revolutionizing the dry cleaning experience, ZIPS combines convenience, affordability, and speed in one package. Originally eight separate dry cleaners in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. The brand has since expanded to over 65 locations nationwide, catering to the needs of more than 500,000 customers annually. At ZIPS, their mission is to provide the best possible service at the best possible price. They have streamlined the entire dry cleaning process, ensuring that you can drop off your garments before 9am and have them ready for pick-up by 5pm the same day. If you drop off your items after 9am, they'll be ready for you the following day by 5pm. And if your order is completed earlier, they'll even notify you via email. ZIPS is not only committed to providing exceptional service but also to being environmentally conscious. They operate hanger recycling programs at all their locations and use 100% recyclable plastic bags. By eliminating unnecessary packaging and reducing waste and water usage, ZIPS keeps prices low while protecting the environment. With their cutting-edge technology and equipment, ZIPS ensures a seamless and efficient dry cleaning process. They clean most garments on-site, drastically reducing the chances of lost or damaged clothing. Their state-of-the-art POS system helps track and manage the cleaning process, streamlining operations for everyone. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, ZIPS remains open as an essential service, adhering to all CDC guidelines. They use high temperatures and specialty detergents to thoroughly clean and disinfect your items. With counter guards and sanitizing stations in place, ZIPS prioritizes the safety of their customers. Don't just take our word for it – customers are raving about ZIPS. They appreciate the high-quality cleaning, quick turnaround time, and unbeatable prices. With a diverse range of services, including alterations, pickup and delivery, and business accounts, ZIPS Cleaners is your trusted partner for all your dry cleaning needs. Experience the ZIPS difference today and see why they're the real deal in the industry.
Key terms
- Brand fund
2.0% of Net Sales
- Local advertising
1.0% of Net Sales
- Footprint
3,000 – 3,500 sq ft
- Development Agreement – Development Fee
$10k
- Development Agreement – Extension Fee
$2k
- Veteran discount
20.0% off franchise fee — 20% reduction of Initial Franchise Fee for qualified veterans
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2026 filing); filings on file: 2024, 2026.
Growth
- Total locations52
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings4
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate-25.7%
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR-11.2%
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio2.0×
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)$1.1M
Item 19 cohort year 2025
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate—
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$757k
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open—
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
- Royalty rate6.0%
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
↓ Lower is better - Sales-to-investment ratio1.4×
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
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Sources
Financial and operating figures are sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Documents. Brand percentile rankings are based on comparisons to other brands that include the same metrics in their Franchise Disclosure Documents.