NextGen Laundry seeks to revolutionize the laundromat industry in Canada.

SERIES: Laundromat Spin

When you combine an executive background in technology consulting with a passion for modernizing laundromats across the country, you get NextGen Laundry Group, founded by Shawn Simmons. Shawn opened the first location at 199 Lakeshore Rd E. in Port Credit, Mississauga, ON in October 2024. The company has ambitious plans to expand, with new locations coming to Burlington, ON in Fall 2025 and Oakville, ON in Summer 2026, as well as a vision to franchise the brand nationwide.

What makes this new start-up stand out? At NextGen Laundry, the focus is on elevating the customer experience through sleek, modern design and a range of services designed to appeal to anyone with laundry to do.

Simmons is enthusiastic about the brand they are developing. “We conducted over a year of in-depth industry analysis,” he said. “Our research revealed a significant gap in the market — the opportunity to modernize and elevate the customer experience within the laundromat sector in Canada.

“The NextGen Laundry concept breaks away from the traditional laundromat model. Our facility is designed with cutting-edge technology and modern aesthetics in mind, featuring top-of-the-line equipment installed by Harco and a seamless, coinless payment system powered by Kiosoft. But we didn’t stop there. To elevate the customer experience even further, we’ve added innovative amenities—like convenient self-serve pet wash stations. Building a space of this caliber requires a significant investment, but our goal is clear: to create a scalable, profitable model that delivers exceptional service and redefines what people expect from a laundromat.”

Wait, did that say Pet Wash?

Yes, it did—and that’s just the beginning. The NextGen Laundry Group is more than just laundromats; it’s a multi-faceted brand designed to meet a wide range of customer needs:

• NextGen Laundry (Modern, self-serve laundromats)
• NextGen Laundry Services (Residential and commercial cleaning solution)
• NextGen Pet Wash (Convenient self-serve pet wash)

“We plan to introduce additional brands in the near future, with the ambition of becoming one of the few fully Canadian-owned and operated laundry services companies, as well as the most recognized laundromat brand in the country,” Simmons said.

The Specifics

The pilot store in Port Credit is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. There are Laundry Attendants on duty at all times, to service the clients, facilitate the wash & fold service, and keep the place spotless and all services operational.

Equipment includes eight 22-lb Maytag washers, six 40-lb and two 65-lb Domus washers, plus four 30-lb. and four 45-lb. Maytag dryers. Prices range from $3 for a 20-lb. cycle up to $11 for a 65-lb. cycle. Dryers run from 50 cents for 12 minutes to 75 cents for 9 minutes in the larger machines.

Pick up and delivery wash & fold service starts at $35 per “bag” (about 18 pounds). Walk-in wash & fold is approximately $25 per bag.

All services at NextGen Laundry are powered by a convenient Tap & Go payment system—including washers and dryers, wash & fold services, the coffee bar, snacks and drinks, and laundry essentials like soap. Customers can relax in a comfortable lounge area, watch TV, or enjoy free Wi-Fi while they wait.

So what is different about this?

Sure, there are some nice laundromats out there. So what makes this company “revolutionary”? From day one, Shawn Simmons and his team set their sights far beyond building just a polished chain of laundromats. Their mission is to disrupt the status quo and become the market leader in laundry services—recognized for elevating the laundry experience.

First, they selected top-tier equipment from Domus (washers) and Maytag (dryers), and carefully chose an ideal location. They partnered with Harco, an experienced distributor, and implemented modern, seamless payment solutions. To further enhance the customer experience, they included amenities like coffee and snacks, free Wi-Fi, a comfortable lounge, and staff ready to assist with wash & fold services or any other needs.

But the core of their vision has been to create a solid, modern concept for today’s laundromat—and then expand it into communities nationwide through franchising. Step one is complete. Now, it’s time to see how this vision unfolds across the country.

How is it working out?

“It has been seven months since we opened our doors,” Simmons said, “and I’m pleased to say that we are well on our way to proving that our model can reshape the laundry services landscape in Canada. There is an abundance of outdated, poorly maintained laundromats across the country, with many owners unsure of how to modernize their businesses or make the necessary investments.

“Our model provides a blueprint for how laundromat owners can evolve their stores into modern, profitable, and customer-centric facilities, which is why we will begin franchising the NextGen Laundry brand in 2026.”

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