Is the "coin-op" era officially over? In this episode of the Laundromat Ownership Podcast, host Ian Gollahon sits down with Matt DeWolf, the Editor-in-Chief of the CLA's (previously known as the Coin Laundry Association) newest media venture: Full Cycle. Matt shares why the industry’s flagship publication, Planet Laundry, is being retired after decades to make room for a premium, multimedia brand that reflects the modern laundry entrepreneur.

* The Rebrand to Full Cycle: Why the CLA is moving to a high-end, quarterly format focused on deep storytelling and actionable business strategies.
* Lessons from the Car Wash Industry: Matt discusses the striking parallels between laundromat evolution and the car wash consolidation curve he witnessed over the last 15 years.
* The "iPad Gimmick": Why high-tech gimmicks can't save a store in a poor location, and why customer experience remains the ultimate competitive advantage.
* The Mission of the CLA: A breakdown of the "Connect, Learn, Advocate" pillars and how the association protects owner interests at a national level.
* Starbucks in a Laundromat? Hear the story of the St. Paul operator featured on the first cover of Full Cycle who is officially licensed to serve Starbucks coffee.

1:13 - Matt’s journey from car wash media to the CLA
3:12 - What is the CLA? Connect, Learn, Advocate
5:56 - From Planet Laundry to Full Cycle: The vision
8:58 - Why the shift to a quarterly, long-form publication?
13:52 - What to expect in the first issue (March 2026)
19:48 - Case Study: The Starbucks licensed laundromat
28:04 - Comparing the laundry and car wash consolidation curves
33:34 - The "iPad Gimmick" and the importance of demand

* Full Cycle: www.FullCycleMagazine.com
* Contact Matt DeWolf: [email protected]
* Wash-Dry-Fold POS: www.washdryfoldpos.com