HARVEY  WASHBANGERS

 

Eat! Drink! Wash Your Shorts?

YES! Mingle And Fold Laundry?!?!!

by Janet Heller

 

YOU READ IT RIGHT!  Eat, drink, wash your shorts, mingle, and fold laundry....That is the idea behind Harvey Washbangers.  A laundromat/restaurant/bar concept.... I  just have to wonder out loud about the mixing of alcohol, laundry chemicals, and temperature settings.  Under the circumstances I might enjoy the brew too much and bleach that one forgotten red sock--and create an accidental pink wardrobe!

 

Harvey Washbangers is the brainchild of David Harvey  (his real name).  Originally it was launched as a bar/laundromat in 1986 in Knoxville, Tennessee, near the University of Tennessee.   The concept is founded on the belief that laundry isn’t fun... (I have three kids, trust me--it is not happy hour)... David created an atmosphere where laundry becomes a social event--of sorts.  The original Harvey Washbangers only served snack foods.  David realized the customers wanted more... so  in 1992,  he sold the first store and moved on to a full-service restaurant, bar and laundromat located in Nashville, Tennessee. 

 

Harvey began franchising the business and the first franchise opened in Manhattan Beach, California during 1997.  The concept obviously appeals to the rental crowd and the singles, with 60 brands of beer on hand, a full restaurant, Internet access by the hour and your laundry being put through the paces in an
adjacent room (mothers of college kids everywhere gotta love this idea--the kids come home without dirty laundry)

.

A daring combination of activities, or a college lifestyle trend?

 

Harvey Washbanger’s is cleaning up (sorry). 

 

Granted there are a lot of jokes that I could make....but the truth is this concept makes sense.  The typical laundromat  draws from a two-mile radius.  Harvey Washbangers draws from a three- to five-mile radius.  Colleges and universities are ideal sites for the Washbangers concept. 

 

Freestanding sites are the most suitable.  College proximity is a major asset.  So is a site close to multiple rent or vacation/beach dwellings.  The concept works ideally in a space that offers about 4,500 square feet. 

 

The company reports that it is expanding, mostly though franchise sales. 

 

Harvey Washbangers provides location selection and lease negotiation guidance, complete training, opening assistance, start-up materials, supplies and equipment, recipes, ongoing research and development.  Total initial investment ranges between $205,300 to $415,300.  Additional working capital will probably be needed.

 

Visit a Harvey Washbangers Near You:

California
Manhattan Beach - 4,200 sq. ft.
on Highland Ave (on the beach)

Tennessee
Nashville - 3,500 sq. ft.
Murphysboro - 4,500 sq. ft.
near Middle Tennessee State University
Cooksville - 4,500 sq. ft.
near Tenessee Tech

Texas
College Station - 4,500 sq. ft.
near Texas A & M University