: Check the "behind the scenes" infrastructure. Look for signs of leaks, rust on the main water lines, and the capacity of the water heaters (e.g., Laundryheap notes that inefficient dryers or poor maintenance can kill profit margins).
: Many older shops are coin-only. Transitioning to card or app-based payments can increase usage and simplify your bookkeeping.
: Compare the owner's P&L statements against their tax filings. Discrepancies here are a major red flag.
: Consider adding high-margin items like snacks, coffee, or even Wi-Fi and workspaces to encourage longer stays.