Buy a Laundromat in Arlington, TX

The Arlington Laundromat Market

Arlington sits between Dallas and Fort Worth in one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. With nearly 395,000 residents and a median household income of $73,519, the city has the density and demographics that make laundromats work.

A large share of Arlington's housing stock is rental-heavy, particularly around the University of Texas at Arlington campus and the entertainment district near Globe Life Field. Renters without in-unit machines are the core laundromat customer, and Arlington has no shortage of them.

As of Q1 2026, there are 23 laundromat listings active in Texas, with Arlington-area deals representing a meaningful slice of DFW transaction volume. Competition among buyers for well-located, coin-operated businesses here is real.

How Much Does a Laundromat Cost in Arlington?

The 4.2x average multiple sits at the upper end of the SBA sweet spot, which runs from 3x to 5x EBITDA. You can find sub-4x deals in this market, but they move fast. The $249K floor typically reflects older equipment, smaller square footage, or a location with softer foot traffic.

At the median price of $550K, here is what the deal math looks like:

These are rough estimates based on market data. Actual terms depend on individual qualification and lender.

At 2.24x DSCR, the median Arlington laundromat clears the 2x target comfortably. That kind of coverage gives a lender confidence and gives the buyer a real margin of safety if revenue dips 10% to 15% in year one.

What to Look For When Buying an Arlington Laundromat

Revenue verification is the single most important step in laundromat due diligence.

Coin-operated and card-swipe machines generate cash, which makes it easy for sellers to underreport or overstate income. The most reliable verification tool is utility bills. Gas and water consumption correlate directly with machine cycles. If a seller claims $150K in annual cash flow but utility bills tell a different story, the numbers are wrong.

Ask for 24 to 36 months of utility bills before making an offer. No exceptions.

Beyond revenue, focus on these:

• Machine age and condition. Industrial washers and dryers have a 10 to 15 year useful life. A store full of machines within two to three years of replacement has a hidden capital requirement baked into the price. Budget $800 to $1,500 per machine for full replacement.
• Lease terms. A laundromat with three years left on its lease and no renewal option is a problem. Target locations with at least five years remaining or a guaranteed renewal at reasonable rent. Arlington commercial rents have risen with the broader DFW market.
• Attendant vs. unattended model. Unattended stores run leaner on labor but require more security investment and can suffer higher machine vandalism rates. Attended stores add payroll but produce better customer retention.
• Card system vs. coin-only. Card-enabled machines make revenue tracking far cleaner and are increasingly what customers expect in a market like Arlington.

SBA Financing for an Arlington Laundromat

SBA 7(a) is the standard financing vehicle for laundromat acquisitions in this price range. The 10-year loan term and below-market fixed rates make the math work in a way that conventional financing generally cannot.

The equity injection requirement is 10% of the purchase price, but the structure matters. Regalis Capital achieves full standby seller notes on over 90% of its deals, which means the 10% is split as 5% buyer cash and 5% seller note at 0% interest with no payments due during the SBA loan term.

On a $550K deal, that means $27,500 in cash out of pocket at close. The seller note of $27,500 sits on standby. The SBA loan of $440K amortizes over 10 years at approximately 10% to 11% based on current rates (WSJ Prime plus 1.5% to 2.75%).

Lenders will want to see two to three years of business tax returns, a current lease or lease assignment, and a clean equipment list. Laundromats are generally SBA-eligible with no special licensing requirements for the buyer, which makes them one of the more straightforward acquisition categories from a qualification standpoint.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to buy a laundromat in Arlington, TX?

As of Q1 2026, the median asking price is $550,000, with a range of $249,000 to $1,500,000. The lower end of the range reflects smaller stores or older equipment. Most deals in the DFW market trade between 3.5x and 4.5x annual cash flow.

What is the typical cash flow for an Arlington laundromat?

The median annual cash flow is $152,500 based on current Texas market data. That figure comes from broker-reported numbers, which are typically SDE. Apply a 15% to 25% haircut when running your own projections to account for add-backs that may not recur under new ownership.

Can I get SBA financing to buy a laundromat in Arlington?

Yes. SBA 7(a) is the primary financing tool for laundromat acquisitions in this price range. The minimum equity injection is 10%, typically structured as 5% buyer cash plus a 5% seller note on full standby. On a $550K deal, buyer cash at closing is roughly $27,500.

What documents should I request during due diligence on an Arlington laundromat?

Request 24 to 36 months of utility bills (gas and water), two to three years of business tax returns, the current lease agreement with all addenda, a full equipment list with ages and service records, and any card system transaction reports if the store uses digital payment readers.

How long does it take to close a laundromat acquisition in Texas?

A standard SBA 7(a) acquisition closes in 60 to 90 days from signed letter of intent. The timeline depends on lender processing speed, third-party environmental or equipment inspections, and how quickly the seller provides financial documentation. Having an experienced deal team accelerates this considerably.

Talk to Regalis Capital About Buying a Laundromat in Arlington

If you are looking at laundromats in Arlington or the broader DFW market, Regalis Capital's deal team can help you identify qualified targets, structure the offer, and get the deal financed.

We review 120 to 150 deals per week and work exclusively on the buy side. That means our job is to protect your capital and get the deal done right, not move inventory for a seller.

Start with a free deal assessment at regaliscapital.com.