How to Finance a CD One Price Cleaners Franchise: Plant Costs
By Anthony Cornella
A CD One Price Cleaners franchise loan finances a dry cleaning business built around a simple promise: one low price for garment cleaning. Behind that promise sits a capital-heavy operation, with cleaning machines, finishing and pressing equipment, boilers, conveyors and a storefront that customers visit often. How much of that equipment a store needs, and whether it cleans on site or serves as a drop location, shapes the size and structure of the loan.
This article covers what is publicly known about the brand, which costs to confirm in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), what the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing means, and how financing works for a new store, an acquired store and a growing group of locations.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by CD One Price Cleaners; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, so review the current FDD with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
CD One Price Cleaners Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: value-priced dry cleaning built on a one-price model for garment cleaning.
- History: the brand traces its roots to Houston, Texas, moved to the Chicago area and was founded as CD One Price Cleaners in 2001, the same year franchising began, according to its franchise profile.
- Experience: the founders entered the dry cleaning industry in 1984 and have worked in site selection, store design, operations and equipment refurbishment and distribution.
- Headquarters: Westchester, Illinois, in suburban Chicago.
- Franchise fee, royalty and total investment: not published on the franchisor materials we could verify; read Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S0296 with no additional directory notes.
What Is CD One Price Cleaners?
CD One Price Cleaners is a dry cleaning franchise based in Westchester, Illinois. The company says it offers dry cleaning at a value price point, and its name reflects its one-price approach. Its founders have been in the industry since 1984, covering everything from site selection and store design to running stores and refurbishing and distributing equipment, and the brand has grown mainly in the Midwest.
The company has also described an open layout that lets customers see cleaning operations in the store, along with services such as laundry and pickup and delivery at some locations.
Why lenders view dry cleaning carefully. A dry cleaner combines retail traffic with a small industrial plant. Lenders like the repeat customers and the hard collateral that equipment provides, but they also look closely at equipment age, environmental compliance, utility costs and labor. A value-priced model depends on volume, so the location and its customer traffic matter a great deal.
CD One Price Cleaners Franchise Costs
A CD One Price Cleaners franchise loan should be sized from the FDD. The franchisor materials we could verify do not publish fee or investment figures, so the current FDD is the source for numbers.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee and any multi-store pricing. In an SBA 7(a) loan it is usually part of the project cost.
Real estate and build-out. Most stores are leased. A store that cleans on site needs ventilation, plumbing, electrical capacity, boiler venting and possibly fire separation. A drop store needs far less. Build-out also includes the counter, conveyor area, signage and any drive-up window.
Equipment. A plant store may need dry cleaning machines, wet cleaning washers and dryers, a boiler, an air compressor, pressing and finishing equipment, spotting boards, conveyors and bagging stations. Because the founders have a background in equipment refurbishment and distribution, ask the franchisor whether new or refurbished equipment is used and how it is priced.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening supplies such as hangers, bags and solvents, initial marketing, training, deposits and Item 7’s additional funds for the early months complete the budget. A new store builds its customer base over time, so cash reserves matter.
Total investment. When you receive the FDD, list each Item 7 line item with its range:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Cleaning, finishing and pressing equipment
- Boiler, compressor and utility connections
- Conveyor, counter, fixtures and signage
- Point-of-sale and garment tracking technology
- Opening supplies and inventory
- Training, licenses, permits and insurance
- Grand-opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your CD One Price Cleaners Franchise Loan
Royalty and marketing. Item 6 lists the royalty, any advertising contribution and technology fees. On a value-priced model, a percentage-of-sales fee takes a meaningful share of each dollar, so model it carefully.
Utilities and supplies. Not franchise fees, but they behave like them. Gas, electricity, water, solvents and hangers are large recurring costs for a plant store.
How lenders factor them in. Lenders take projected sales, subtract labor, rent, utilities, supplies, royalty and marketing, and confirm the remaining cash covers debt service with room to spare.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor materials we could verify do not publish minimum net worth or liquid capital figures. Ask for current requirements during discovery, including whether owners must run the store themselves and how much training is required before opening.
The approval process. Expect an inquiry, discovery calls, FDD review, store visits and site approval. Keep your financing moving in parallel so the loan is ready when the lease and franchise agreement are.
Ways to Own a CD One Price Cleaners
A new plant store. The most equipment-intensive route. Financing covers build-out, equipment, the franchise fee and working capital. Our franchise start-up financing page explains this route.
A drop store tied to a plant. If the system allows it, an owner can add a lower-cost drop location that sends garments to an existing plant. Ask the franchisor how these are structured.
Buying an existing store. If an owner sells, the buyer needs franchisor approval, and lenders can underwrite actual sales. Our guide to buying a franchise resale covers transfers, and our page on laundry and dry cleaning acquisition financing covers deal structure.
Converting an independent cleaner. Ask whether the franchisor accepts conversions of existing independent dry cleaners. A conversion can reuse equipment and an established location.
Financing Options for a CD One Price Cleaners Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can fund the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital, or the purchase of an existing store.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program fits an owner buying the building or a large equipment package with a long useful life. Expect environmental review on any property that has housed dry cleaning.
Conventional term loans. Established owners may use a conventional business loan for additional stores or equipment upgrades.
Equipment financing. Cleaning machines, boilers, pressing equipment and conveyors can be financed or leased separately. See laundry equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Dry cleaning volume can shift with the seasons and with workplace dress trends, and supplies are bought in bulk. A line of credit smooths timing. Learn about laundry business working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules can limit how they are structured.
SBA Loans for CD One Price Cleaners Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory, which shows the franchise agreement has been reviewed for SBA eligibility. CD One Price Cleaners is listed under code S0296 with no additional notes, so the standard SBA franchise review applies without brand-specific conditions. A listing does not approve any borrower.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. SBA tips: document your equity injection, provide equipment quotes, and be ready to answer environmental questions about the site.
How Lenders Evaluate a CD One Price Cleaners Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders look at your equity injection and remaining reserves. Our article on how lenders read an FDD explains which items set your cash needs.
Industry and management experience. Dry cleaning, laundry, retail or operations experience helps, especially managing hourly staff.
Business plan and projections. Model garment volume, average ticket under the one-price model, labor, utilities and the ramp-up period.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review Item 17 for the term, renewal and transfer rules, and Item 10 for any franchisor financing. Item 19 shows whether the FDD includes financial performance representations.
Site, lease and environmental history. Lenders want a lease that covers the loan term. For any site with a dry cleaning history, expect environmental questions and possibly a site assessment.
Equipment and Environmental Deep Dive
Equipment is the core collateral in a dry cleaning loan, and its condition drives value. Lenders ask about the age, solvent type and maintenance history of cleaning machines, the condition of boilers and compressors, and whether finishing equipment matches the store’s volume. For existing stores, an equipment list with serial numbers and service records helps.
Environmental rules matter too. Solvent use, storage and disposal are regulated, and some states have specific rules for dry cleaners. Confirm permits, insurance and compliance before closing, and ask the franchisor what solvent and equipment standards the system requires.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
Dry cleaning groups often grow with one plant serving several drop locations, which spreads equipment costs across more sales. Once the first store shows steady results, lenders can underwrite combined cash flow for the next. Our guide to multi-unit franchise financing explains how.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner opening a plant store. A former retail manager uses an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and working capital, and keeps reserves for the ramp-up.
An owner adding a drop store. An established franchisee opens a lower-cost drop location feeding the existing plant, financed with a smaller term loan.
A buyer acquiring a store. A buyer purchases an existing location with franchisor approval, using a senior loan, a seller note and an equipment inspection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating utility hookups, venting and boiler costs
- Buying a store without checking equipment age and service records
- Skipping environmental review on a former dry cleaning site
- Projecting volume too high in the first year
- Leaving too little working capital for supplies and payroll
For more pitfalls, read the laundry business loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your CD One Price Cleaners Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Confirm requirements. Ask about net worth, liquidity, training and store formats.
Step 3: Estimate payments. Use our SBA loan calculator for rough planning; results are not an offer or approval.
Step 4: Secure a site. Get a lease or letter of intent and check utility capacity and environmental history.
Step 5: Gather equipment quotes. Collect quotes or, for a resale, an equipment list and inspection.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit the package and coordinate franchisor approval with your lender’s timeline.
CD One Price Cleaners Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a CD One Price Cleaners franchise cost?
The franchisor materials we verified do not list the total investment. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the estimated range.
What is the franchise fee and royalty?
Items 5 and 6 of the FDD disclose the initial fee, royalty and other ongoing fees.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
Ask the franchisor for current requirements, and plan for an equity injection plus reserves for the ramp-up.
Is CD One Price Cleaners SBA-eligible?
Yes. It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S0296 with no additional notes, so a CD One Price Cleaners franchise loan can be SBA-backed. Each borrower still needs approval.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Often, yes. Cleaning machines, boilers and pressing equipment can be financed or leased on their own.
Can I buy an existing store?
Yes, if one is for sale and the franchisor approves the transfer. Lenders review sales history and equipment condition.
Do I need dry cleaning experience?
Not necessarily, but lenders weigh relevant experience. Franchisor training and a strong store manager help.
Does CD One Price Cleaners offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD for any franchisor financing.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 lists the term, renewal and transfer rules. Lenders prefer a term that covers the loan.
What documents do lenders need?
Tax returns, a personal financial statement, a resume, the FDD, a lease or letter of intent, equipment quotes and projections.
Final Thoughts
A CD One Price Cleaners franchise loan rests on equipment, location and volume. Borrowers who budget fully for plant build-out, check environmental history and keep enough working capital for the ramp-up give themselves the best chance of approval.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and laundry and dry cleaning financing solutions.
