Once better known for serving burgers and fries, Michael Montante is continuing to bring a different kind of supersized services to Tampa – same-day, one-price dry cleaning. One year removed from opening his first store in South Tampa, the former multi-unit operator for McDonald’s is committed to opening four additional ZIPS Cleaners in the area. Though exact addresses have yet to be announced, Montante expects to develop the four new stores throughout various parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and is specifically eyeing Brandon, Carrollwood, Clearwater and Palm Harbor, among others. When it’s all said and done, the new stores will occupy approximately 12,000 square feet of real estate and create as many as 80 new local jobs.
“Most people don’t know the name of their local dry cleaning business. Typically, dry cleaners fall so squarely into the mom-and-pop category that the only sign outside the retail outlet says ‘dry cleaner’ and nothing more,” said Montante. “Step into a ZIPS for the first time and you know right away that it’s not your mom-and-pop, no-name dry cleaner. ZIPS is the future of dry cleaning, and we know that Tampa residents will continue to appreciate our commitment to making and keeping quality dry cleaning services affordable at one low price.”
ZIPS Cleaners’ successful business model is based on a concept revolutionary to the industry and clearly in high demand to today’s price-savvy consumer – dry cleaning that is ready for pick-up the same day it’s dropped off for a flat-rate price of $2.99. It doesn’t matter if the item is a necktie, a coat or a pair of pants, the price is $2.99, less than the national average.
To provide some perspective, the average cost to dry clean a shirt without hand-pressing is $3.75. The average cost to dry clean a pair of pants or coat is $7.45 and $18, respectively.
“It’s easy to understand why an entrée at a restaurant costs more than an appetizer or why getting a new transmission costs more than an oil change. But why should you pay more to dry clean a coat than a pair of pants when they’re both cleaned using the exact same process,” said Montante. “ZIPS has eliminated the confusion by using the same high-quality process as full-price cleaners, but only charging the same low flat rate for any garment. And if you bring your clothes in by 9 they’ll even be ready by 5.”
Additionally, in today’s increasingly “green-conscious” society, ZIPS is leading the way in the search for new environmentally friendly practices, such as its use of recyclable plastic bags and hanger recycling program. ZIPS recycles thousands of hangers each year, uses 100% recyclable plastic bags, and focuses on continuing to reduce water usage and waste production.
The local expansion announcement comes at a time when ZIPS Cleaners continues to rapidly expand its national footprint. Today, ZIPS has more than 60 locations open and operating throughout eight states and Washington, D.C. The company also has a total active franchise pipeline that stands at more than 250 stores, all of which are slated to open over the next several years.
Founded in 1996 and franchising since 2006, ZIPS Cleaners is an aggressively expanding dry cleaning franchise known for its same-day, one-price business model. Today, there are more than 60 ZIPS stores open and operating in eight states and Washington, D.C., with more than 250 additional locations in various stages of development across the country.
