Is the Laundromat Still the Best Small Business in America? Dave Menz Returns (2026)

Summary  Curtis sits down again with Dave Menz—now fully branded as The Laundromat Millionaire—to get the real 2026 update: what's changed, what's working, and why laundromats are still one of the strongest small-business plays in America. Dave breaks down how the industry shifted from "nobody talks about it" to a legitimate, modern, scalable asset class—driven by better operators, better systems, and a wave of mainstream attention. What you'll learn What's changed for Dave since your first interview (platform growth, book, content, community) Why "collaboration over scarcity" is becoming the new standard in the laundromat world How modern laundromats are being built and operated differently than the old-school model The shift from "no info" to "too much info" — and how owners filter hype from truth The business "levels" (zombie mats → plain Jane → modernized) and how value is created Why scaling is easier now (tools, systems, vendors, and operational playbooks) Why laundromats got mainstream attention (essential business, recession resistance, COVID ripple effects) What still makes laundromats a strong cash-flow asset class today — and where the opportunity still is The real reason owners struggle: weak KPI tracking, messy books, and cash chaos Curtis's "Wealth Without Leaks" angle: plug the money leaks so scaling creates real wealth   Episode Highlights 00:00:13 - Laundromat: The Best Small Business 00:01:14 - Elevating the Laundromat Industry 00:03:04 - Sharing Secrets for Industry Growth 00:05:08 - Transformation Through Networking 00:07:00 - Building Wealth and New Ventures 00:09:56 - Launching the Laundromat Millionaire Show 00:12:00 - Industry's Digital Evolution 00:18:10 - Tech and Investment in Modern Laundromats 00:24:24 - Ultimate Shift: Full-Service Laundries 00:30:30 - Scaling Through Multiple Revenue Streams 00:39:13 - Serving a Broader Customer Base 00:43:40 - Measuring Employee and Customer Satisfaction 00:51:55 - The Pitfalls of Buying Laundromats 00:58:15 - Future Expansion and Coaching 01:04:24 - Servitude as a Form of Capitalism   Episode resources: Take the Next Step with Curtis May: Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://curtis-hzw1jezd.scoreapp.com   Keywords Practical Wealth Show   Curtis May   Laundromat Millionaire   Small Business   Queens City Laundry   Cincinnati   Elevate Industry   Networking   Collaboration   Best Practices   Wealth Building   Technology in Laundromats   Laundromat Millionaire: The Grit to Elevate an Industry   AI in Laundromats   Public Speaking   Book Publication   Industry Networking   Laundry Chain Scaling   Laundromat Operations   Servitude Mindset   Business Optimization   Wash-Dry-Fold Business   Commercial Accounts   Investing in Laundromats   Essential Industries   Recession Resistant   Private Equity in Laundromats   Business Valuation   Expansion Opportunities   Investment Strategies   Business Coaching   Financial Strategy   Infinite Banking   Velocity of Money   Multiple Revenue Streams   Customer Service   Employee Satisfaction   Revenue Growth   Positive Reviews   Podcasting   Content Creation   Media Presence   Global Influence   Community Service   Full-service Laundry Center   Pickup and Delivery Innovation   Operational Efficiency   Customer Retention   Strategic Partnerships   Professional Development   Industry Trends   Podcast Advertising   Market Research