Tumble Dry Franchise Cost in India: Model, ROI, Eligibility & How to Apply

Tumble Dry (also referred to as Tumbledry) is one of India’s fastest-growing laundry and dry cleaning franchise chains. Founded in 2019, the company now operates over 1,200 stores across 500+ cities, placing it among the leading organized laundry brands. As customer preferences shift from traditional dhobhi services to tech-enabled, high-quality care, Tumble Dry’s “laundromat 2.0” model stands out in a sector largely dominated by unorganized players .

1. 💸 Investment & Cost Breakdown

Here’s a consolidated view of initial investments and key expenses:

Expense Component	Estimated Cost (INR)
Franchise Fee	₹2.5–6 Lakh
Store Setup (interiors + equipment)	₹10–15 Lakh
Technology & Software	Included in setup; supports billing & pickup app
Working Capital	₹5 Lakh (recommended buffer)
Total Investment	₹17–25 Lakh (varies by city/day-to-day costs)

• Stores typically occupy 225–300 sq ft, serving ~10,000 households within a 2–5 km radius.
• Most franchises reach break-even in 3 months, with 95% of stores turning profitable early on.
• Franchise fee ranges: ₹2.5 L (source 3) to ₹6 L in tier 1 cities (source 7).

2. 🔁 Franchise Model & Fees

Tumble Dry runs primarily on a FOFO model—franchise-owned, franchise-operated—with some company-owned outlets as well .

Key structure details:

• Franchise fee: ₹2.5–6 Lakh .
• Royalty: 5–10% of monthly revenue (depending on provider) .
• Tenure: Usually 3–5 years, renewable.
• Territory size: ~10,000 households (~2–5 km catchment).
• Support includes: Site selection, store fit‑out, digital marketing, pickup‑delivery tech, staff training, cloud-based billing/app usage.

3. 📈 Revenue Predictions & ROI

Tumble Dry franchises deliver strong financial metrics:

• Monthly profit: ₹1.25–1.7 Lakh with ₹3–4 Lakh revenue.
• Sample: ₹3.74 L monthly sales → ₹1.39 L profit; annual ROI ~109% .
• ROI: Typically 65–80%, some sources even report 95%+ in early months .
• Payback period: 14–36 months—many recoup their investment within 2 years .
• Profit margin estimates: Nearly 50% net margin possible after operations (e.g., ₹1.5 L profit from ₹3 L sales).

4. ✅ Eligibility & Requirements

To qualify, you’ll need:

• Capital: ₹20–25 Lakh to cover fees, setup & working costs .
• Space: 225–300 sq ft storefront; easily accessible in residential or commercial zones .
• Staffing: 2–7 people (manager, ironing staff, runner).
• Commitment: Franchisees must be engaged, customer-centric, and maintain process discipline .
• Franchise tenure: 3–5 years with performance renewals.

5. 🛠 Franchisee Support

Tumble Dry offers full support, including:

• Site selection & store setup: Through brand guidelines and contractors.
• Training: In operations, tech, customer service.
• Technology: Mobile app, CRM dashboard, billing system, pickup logistics .
• Marketing: Local digital campaigns, flyers, banners—drive up to 80% of footfall digitally.
• Ongoing operational support: Inventory planning, troubleshooting, refresher training .

6. ⚖ Pros & Cons: Brand Perspective & Franchisee Reality

✅ Pros:

• Strong brand with national presence—1,200+ stores .
• High profit margin and quick breakeven—3 months to ROI range ~80% annual.
• Scalable through multi-unit expansion—30–35% of franchisees own multiple outlets within 6 months.
• Hybrid service portfolio – laundry, dry clean, shoe, carpet and more.

⚠️ Cons / Risks:

• Quality control issues: Some users reported garment damage and poor customer support.
• Operational challenges: Staff retention, managing tech and service consistency can affect profitability.
• Royalty and courier costs may eat into margins unless managed meticulously.

🎯 Real User Feedback

Reddit users offer cautionary advice for service-based franchises:

“Franchise is risky… managing under‑educated workforce… frauds are common.”
“Profit margins are already slim… staff costs erode it.” 

Specific Tumble Dry experiences:

“They sent image of my paithani saree… damaged with color‑locking chemical.”
“Sarees tossed into washer, ruined…and customer service stone‑walling.” 

These highlight the need for strict SOPs, staff training, and strong local management.

📝 7. Application Steps

• Initial Inquiry: Fill in the form on Tumble Dry’s official site
• Property Shortlisting: Share proposed location and house count (~10k)
• Evaluation & Agreement: Background check, review documents, sign 3-year franchise contract.
• Payments: Franchise fee + deposit; arrange equipment and interiors.
• Store Setup: Fit-out, equipment installation, branding.
• Training: Operations, software, app usage.
• Soft Launch: Begin operations with marketing blitz.
• Official Launch: Grand opening with local ads and flyers.
• Expansion: Opportunity to open additional outlets after initial success.

📊 Quick Snapshot Table

Tumble Dry franchise offers one of the most attractive cases in India’s organized laundry market—with relatively modest investment, swift breakeven, high ROI, and strong brand support. Yet, entry into service industries requires solid quality control, reliable staff, and excellent customer care—backed by strong SOP compliance and oversight.