ZIPS Cleaners

ZIPS Cleaners

Franzy VerifiedInformation based on 2026 FDD

Other · Drycleaning

Investment min
$762K
Total: $762K–$1M
Avg gross revenue
$1M
Unit-level, 2026
Franchise fee
$20K–$40K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
6%
of gross revenue
Locations
52
Franchising since 2006

Description

What is ZIPS Cleaners?

ZIPS Dry Cleaners has revolutionized the dry cleaning industry since 1996 with its innovative same-day service model and commitment to quality. Unlike traditional dry cleaners, ZIPS has streamlined the cleaning process through advanced technology and efficient operations, making professional garment care more accessible to communities across the nation.

What sets ZIPS apart is their unique value proposition of same-day service when garments are dropped off by 9 AM, ensuring customers can maintain their busy lifestyles without compromising on cleanliness and presentation. Their state-of-the-art cleaning facilities utilize environmentally friendly cleaning methods and materials, demonstrating a commitment to both quality service and environmental responsibility.

The ZIPS business model is designed for hands-on owners who are passionate about customer service and operational excellence. Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training programs, proven systems, and ongoing support that covers everything from site selection to marketing strategies. The brand's strong reputation for reliability and quality service has helped establish loyal customer bases across their locations.

As a ZIPS franchise owner, you'll be joining a network of entrepreneurs who are dedicated to providing essential services to their communities while building sustainable businesses. The franchise system offers multiple revenue streams through various cleaning services, including dry cleaning, shirt laundry, household items, and specialty garment care. With the dry cleaning industry's steady demand and ZIPS' efficient business model, franchisees are positioned to capture a significant share of this essential service market while delivering value to their customers.
  • Nearly 30 years of operational experience since 1996
  • Superior revenue performance - 74% above sub-sector average
  • EZ Drop convenience service for flexible scheduling
  • DoorDash partnership for pickup and delivery services
  • In by 9, Out by 5 same-day service guarantee
  • Military and veterans discount programs with uniform cleaning benefits

Location Analysis

Where ZIPS Cleaners wins

ZIPS Cleaners demonstrates strong regional clustering in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and South Central regions, with notable market presence in Baltimore, Washington DC metro, Charlotte, Nashville, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Richmond. This geographic concentration suggests a deliberate expansion strategy targeting suburban markets with dual-income households and working professionals—demographics aligned with demand for convenient, time-saving dry cleaning services. The brand's drive-through service model requires high-visibility retail locations near residential neighborhoods and commuter routes, which naturally limits site selection but enhances customer convenience when properly executed. Customer sentiment averaging 3.5 to 4.0 stars indicates acceptable but not exceptional performance, with review themes revealing a tension between operational efficiency (fast service, competitive pricing, convenient format) and execution consistency (quality control, problem resolution, location-to-location variability). Positive feedback consistently emphasizes speed and convenience—core brand differentiators—while negative patterns around damaged items and service inconsistency suggest franchise operational gaps that could undermine customer retention. The moderate-to-high review volume in established markets indicates reasonable customer engagement, though newer territories show lower visibility, typical of emerging franchise presence. Territory fit likely favors suburban markets with limited dry cleaning competition and sufficient household density to support the volume-driven model. Prospective franchisees should conduct thorough local market validation, assess competitive density, verify demographic alignment with target customer profiles, and evaluate territory-level performance data before committing capital.
Total US locations
69
Franchise units
52
Corporate locations
18
Avg. sq. footage

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Financial Analysis

The numbers behind ZIPS Cleaners

Avg gross revenue$1,256,748
Investment range$761,700 – $1,198,000
Investment midpoint$979,850
Brand fund2%
Royalty6%
Franchise fee$20,000–$40,000
Min. net worth$300,000
Min. liquid capital$50,000
ZIPS Cleaners presents a capital-intensive entry point with investment requirements ranging from $761,700 to $1,198,000, positioning this as a mid-to-upper tier dry cleaning franchise. The reported gross revenue of approximately $1.26 million per location suggests reasonable top-line performance, though the absence of disclosed franchise fee data and margin information limits full financial assessment. With 69 units operating since 2004, the brand demonstrates moderate but steady expansion over two decades, indicating selective growth rather than aggressive scaling. The drive-through service model requires specialized real estate with both high visibility and drive-through infrastructure, which contributes to elevated site development costs and narrows suitable location options. Operational complexity centers on managing labor efficiency, garment processing quality control, and maintaining service speed—critical given the brand's positioning around convenience and turnaround time. Review feedback highlighting quality inconsistency and customer service variability across locations suggests potential challenges in franchise system standardization, which may impact unit-level economics and repeat business rates. The established regional concentration in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast may reflect both market validation and territory availability constraints. Prospective investors should prioritize unit-level economics verification, understand margin expectations relative to the capital commitment, and assess competitive positioning in their specific territory before proceeding.
Did you know? ZIPS Cleaners operates in the dry cleaning subsector with an initial investment ranging from $761,700 to $1,198,000. This capital requirement reflects the specialized real estate needs for the brand's drive-through service model, including high-visibility retail locations with adequate infrastructure for convenient customer access. The franchise fee was not disclosed in available data, and prospective investors should verify all fee structures and ongoing royalty obligations during due diligence.

Financing partners

Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees

Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.

FranFund

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

The model

How ZIPS Cleaners works

01
Ownership
Ownership model not specified.
02
Revenue
Recurring revenueTransaction-basedBig-ticket salesService-basedProduct sales (retail)Hybrid model
03
Customer
B2B

Sells to businesses, contractors, or property owners.

B2C

Sells directly to consumers and homeowners.

Mixed

Serves both businesses and consumers.

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$762K–$1M
Most common
$761,700
Minimum
$979,850
Midpoint
$1,198,000
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $761,700 to $1,198,000. The midpoint $979,850 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.

FDD Item 19

Average gross sales

$2M$1M$900K$600K$300KN/A
$707K
$923K
$1M
2022
2023
2024
Avg
$916K
YOY change (2023 -> 2024)
+21%

According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, ZIPS Cleaners has an average gross revenue of $1M. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)

Growth over time

Franchise footprint

+5% YoY
80644832160
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
69 units open as of 2026 FDD+3 in last 12 mo

2026 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for ZIPS Cleaners's 2026 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2026 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a ZIPS Cleaners franchise typically ranges between $761,700.00 and $1,198,000.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.

Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) we have on record, which was issued in 2026. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. Only the franchisor can confirm that the information is complete and accurate and we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

ZIPS Cleaners
ZIPS Cleaners
$1M avg revenue · 52+ US franchises

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