Wash’N Dry

Wash’N Dry is a French self-service laundromat concept and network that helps entrepreneurs and existing shopkeepers open and operate automatic laundries. Launched in October 1992 in Haute-Loire, the concept was created by Alain Richard, then director of the company Chambon, a specialist in laundry and industrial kitchens. The name was inspired by an American trend and chosen through a brainstorming session with Chambon staff. Alain Astruc joined in February 1993 as a technician and later became Technical Director, overseeing the concept’s evolution. The brand operates on a franchise-free model: investors open a Wash’N Dry laundromat under the concept’s guidance without paying franchise fees. Wash’N Dry provides support across four main steps — site selection, equipment specification, financing preparation, and launch strategy. Ten location managers are spread across France to help find suitable premises with sufficient catchment areas. The company defines the most appropriate equipment for each site and assists with preparing the premises in line with current standards. It also helps investors build a business plan; a minimum contribution of €25,000 is required. For launch, Wash’N Dry develops commercial and advertising strategies and provides communication tools such as storefronts, signage, flyers, and internet materials under a common graphic charter. Wash’N Dry laundries are typically free-service or assisted self-service spaces. The concept can also be integrated into existing local businesses — cafés, bars, tea rooms, or neighborhood and village grocery stores — as a diversification or additional income stream. The company works with partner businesses to offer tools and services that help owners manage and monitor their laundries and provide complementary services to users. According to the official website, Wash’N Dry has 34 years of experience in the sector, has created 1,300 laundries since its origin, and reports that 94% of laundries created over the last 10 years are still in operation. The concept has evolved through several graphic and equipment updates, including a first evolution in 2008, a second in 2012, a graphic charter update in 2019, and further changes from 2022. Since 2021, Wash’N Dry has been present on social media with a LinkedIn page and a YouTube channel. The parent company behind the concept was originally Chambon, which became Armstrong France in 2001. Emmanuel Pointet is director of Armstrong France, which became SCHULTHESS FRANCE at the end of 2025. Wash’N Dry remains active in France, with recent openings including laundries in Marignane and Saintes.

The Wash’N Dry concept was launched in October 1992 in Haute-Loire, France. At the time, Alain Richard, director of the company Chambon — a specialist in laundry and industrial kitchens — had the idea to introduce a self-service laundromat concept that was still uncommon in France. The name “Wash’N Dry” emerged from an American trend and a brainstorming session with Chambon staff. Richard surrounded himself with a solid team to deploy the concept, including Alain Astruc, who joined in February 1993 as a technician and later became Technical Director, witnessing the entire evolution of the concept. From 1992 to 2007, the first Wash’N Dry laundries were established. In 2001, the company Chambon became Armstrong France, and the development of the concept continued to expand across the territory with city laundries, bungalows, and laundry kiosks. The concept underwent a first evolution in 2008 and a second in 2012. The graphic charter was updated in 2019, and further changes to laundries occurred from 2022 onward. Emmanuel Pointet is director of Armstrong France, which became SCHULTHESS FRANCE at the end of 2025. Over its more than three decades, Wash’N Dry has evolved its graphic identity and equipment. The official website states that the brand has 34 years of experience in the field, has created 1,300 laundries since its origin, and that 94% of laundries created over the last 10 years are still in operation. The concept is franchise-free, meaning investors do not pay franchise fees but receive support and know-how. Wash’N Dry provides a four-step process for opening a laundry: location (with 10 location managers across France), equipment (defining the most appropriate machinery and assisting with premises preparation), financing (helping prepare a business plan, with a minimum contribution of €25,000), and launch (developing commercial and advertising strategy and providing communication tools under a graphic charter). The brand also offers tools and services for laundry owners to manage and monitor their businesses, and for users as complementary services, through partnerships with other companies. Wash’N Dry laundries can be free-service or assisted, and the concept can be integrated into existing local businesses such as cafés, bars, tea rooms, or grocery stores as a diversification or additional income source. Since 2021, Wash’N Dry has maintained a LinkedIn page and a YouTube channel to share information, videos, and photos about the concept. Recent openings include laundries in Marignane (13700) and Saintes (17100).

• Wash’N Dry concept launched in Haute-Loire, France, by Alain Richard.

• Alain Astruc joins as a technician; later becomes Technical Director.

• Chambon becomes Armstrong France; concept expands across France.

• First evolution of Wash’N Dry laundries.

• Second evolution of Wash’N Dry laundries.

• Graphic charter updated.

• Wash’N Dry becomes present on social media with LinkedIn and YouTube.

• Further evolution of laundries from 2022 onward.

• Armstrong France becomes SCHULTHESS FRANCE at the end of 2025.

A franchise-free, turnkey self-service laundromat concept with over three decades of experience, targeting investors and local shopkeepers seeking passive or complementary income.

• Self-service laundromat

  Automatic laundry open to the public for self-service washing and drying.

• Assisted self-service laundry

  Laundry space with staff assistance available.

• Laundry bungalow

  Standalone laundry structure.

• Laundry kiosk

  Small-format laundry kiosk.

• Laundry corner in existing shop

  Laundry space integrated into cafés, bars, tea rooms, or grocery stores.

1. 1Laverie automatique - Ouvrir une Laverie Wash'N Dry sans Franchisewashndry-concept.com
2. 2Ouverture Outils et services pour votre laverie - Wash'N Drywashndry-concept.com
3. 3L'Histoire du concept Wash'N Dry - Wash'N Drywashndry-concept.com
4. 4Wash’N Drywikidata.org