News

Combo laundromat-pizzeria puts new spin on service offerings

January 30, 2005

DailyBreeze.com: Brent Yandell, owner of Harvey Washbangers in Manhattan Beach, Calif., quickly realized his success in the laundromat business wouldn't come from providing a service, but catering to a lifestyle.

Yandell's 1,000 regular customers not only suds their duds in high-end, water-efficient, stainless steel washers and dryers (that run on smart cards instead of quarters), they can order a gourmet pizza and a beer between cycles. They can also surf the Internet through the shop's Wi-Fi access.

"People need clean clothes; they need to eat," Yandell said. "Our goal is to serve our customers in a manner they deserve with respect for their valuable time and good taste."

Yandell used to serve just burgers and burritos, but an October licensing agreement with Ed LaDou, owner of Caioti Pizza Café, and the father of the California Pizza movement (read also 2005 PIZZA MAKER PANELIST: Ed LaDou, Caioti Pizza Cafe), allowed him to offer gourmet pies and salads.

For about $10, customers can choose among several gourmet salads and pizzas, including LaDou's signature barbecue chicken pizza or other varieties featuring homemade lamb and seafood sausage.

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