Comet Cleaners
Comet Cleaners is a family-owned dry cleaning and laundry franchisor operating 140+ independently owned stores across the US and Mexico, generating revenue through franchise fees and 5% monthly royalties on franchisee sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Comet Cleaners does
Comet Cleaners is a privately held, family-owned dry cleaning and laundry franchise headquartered in Arlington, Texas. The business traces its roots to the 1920s when R.L. 'Jack' Godfrey opened his first dry cleaning store in 1924; it was officially incorporated in 1957 and remains under Godfrey family ownership into its third generation. The company operates as the franchisor of a network of 140-160+ independently owned dry cleaning stores across more than ten US states (Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri) and two Mexican states (Tamaulipas, Coahuila), positioned as the largest family-owned dry cleaning franchise in the USA.
The core service offering includes professional dry cleaning using liquid solvent technology (notably Exxon DF 2000, an environmentally safer solvent the company helped commercialize in 1995), wash-and-fold laundry, and alterations at select locations, complemented by convenience features such as 24-hour drop-off, same-day service, express bag service, and drive-up and delivery options. The franchisor also leverages proprietary stain-fighting solutions and innovative machinery as service differentiators passed down to franchisees.
Comet Cleaners monetizes through a three-tier franchise model: Comet Pickup Store ($15,000 one-time fee), Comet Plant Store ($30,000 one-time fee), and a Three Store Package ($50,000), plus a recurring 5% monthly royalty on franchisee sales. SBA-approved status and third-party lender relationships support franchisee financing, and a $10,000 veteran discount targets military veteran franchisee recruitment. End customers are individual consumers seeking professional garment care, with all service delivery executed through the independent franchise network rather than corporate-operated stores.
Comet Cleaners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Comet Cleaners
- Legal name
- Comet Cleaners Franchise Group, LLC
- Website
- https://cometcleaners.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Comet Cleaners is a family-owned dry cleaning and laundry franchisor operating 140+ independently owned stores across the US and Mexico, generating revenue through franchise fees and 5% monthly royalties on franchisee sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Comet Cleaners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services
- NAICS
- Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated) (812320)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Retail/Consumer Dry Cleaning (Storefront) (HSAJADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Household & Specialty Item Dry Cleaning (Drapes, Comforters, Rugs) (HSAJADAH)
Keywords
Where Comet Cleaners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Comet Cleaners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Franchise Fees: One-time franchise fees for new franchisees: Comet Plant Store ($30,000), Comet Pickup Store ($15,000), and Three Store Package ($50,000). These are upfront costs paid by franchisees to obtain the right to operate Comet Cleaners locations.
- Royalty Fees: Ongoing monthly royalty fee of 5% from franchisees. This provides recurring revenue to the franchisor based on franchisee sales volume.
- Dry Cleaning Services: Direct revenue from providing dry cleaning, wash & fold, alterations, and related laundry services to end consumers at independently owned franchise locations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Comet Plant Store franchise - full-service dry cleaning facility |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Comet Pickup Store franchise - pickup and delivery focused location |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Three Store Package - one plant store with two pickup stores |
| Subscription | Monthly | Ongoing Royalty Fee |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Veteran Discount |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Comet Cleaners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Comet Cleaners is a family-owned dry cleaning and laundry service company that delivers professional garment cleaning, wash and fold, and alterations through a network of independently owned franchise locations. Its consumer-facing services include dry cleaning using liquid solvent, wash and fold laundry, alterations at select stores, and convenience features such as 24-hour drop-off, same-day service, and express bag service. Alongside retail operations, the company sells franchise rights to entrepreneurs across the US and Mexico under three tiered packages (Plant Store, Pickup Store, and Three Store Package), generating franchise fees and ongoing royalties.
Product overview
Comet Cleaners operates as a family-owned dry cleaning and laundry service business offering a unified portfolio of core services including professional dry cleaning, wash & fold laundry, and alterations. The company has expanded through franchising since the 1980s, now operating 140+ stores across the US and Mexico. The franchise model includes three options: Comet Plant Store (full-service plant, $30,000), Comet Pickup Store (drop-off only, $15,000), and a Three Store Package (one plant with two pickup stores, $50,000). All franchisees pay a 5% monthly royalty. Convenience features such as 24-hour drop-off, same-day service, and express bag service complement the core cleaning offerings. The company was founded in the 1920s and officially incorporated in 1957.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dry Cleaning
Quantifiable outcome
- Dry cleaning extends garment lifespan by removing embedded stains and preserving colors that washing machines cannot clean effectively
Companies that use Comet Cleaners
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Comet Cleaners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Comet Cleaners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ExxoncoreIn 1995, Comet Cleaners was instrumental in testing, marketing, and implementing an environmentally safe dry cleaning solvent called Exxon DF 2000 that is now commonplace in the industry. This was a pioneering effort that shaped industry standards.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Comet Cleaners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cintas Corporation: Large, publicly traded uniform rental and services company with a significant dry cleaning/industrial laundering arm. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating in adjacent segments of the textile care value chain, though its core business is uniform rental rather than consumer dry cleaning.
- ImageFIRST: Healthcare-focused linen and uniform rental provider with industrial-scale laundering operations. Compares to Comet as a large operator in the broader dry cleaning/laundry services category, though primarily serving B2B healthcare customers rather than retail consumers.
Regional players
- Martin's Cleaners: Established dry cleaning chain with a strong regional footprint in the Mid-Atlantic US. Comparable to Comet on the core consumer dry cleaning and laundry service offering, though primarily competing in a different geography.
Direct peers
- Dependable Cleaners: Multi-store dry cleaning and laundry operator offering same-day, alterations, and pickup services. Comparable to Comet on service mix, customer profile, and convenience features, though with a more regional presence.
- ZIPS Dry Cleaners: Multi-unit dry cleaning franchise with same-day, one-price service model and dozens of US locations. Closely comparable to Comet's franchise structure and customer proposition (convenient, fast, affordable garment care).
- Mulberrys Garment Care: Premium garment care chain offering dry cleaning, wash-and-fold, and pickup/delivery with a sustainability focus. Compares to Comet on the eco-friendly dry cleaning angle and on the customer experience differentiators (convenience, premium service).
- Tide Cleaners: Procter & Gamble-backed national dry cleaning and laundry chain with pickup-and-delivery and app-based ordering. Directly comparable to Comet as a multi-unit franchise-style operator serving consumer dry cleaning and wash-and-fold, but with materially larger brand and digital capabilities.
- Crest Cleaners: Multi-location dry cleaning and laundry chain with a similar mix of dry cleaning, wash-and-fold, and alterations. Operates in overlapping consumer segments and competes for franchisee talent in adjacent US geographies.
- Lapels Cleaners: Eco-friendly dry cleaning franchise using hydrocarbon and GreenEarth solvents. Directly comparable to Comet as a franchised dry cleaning network with a sustainability angle and similar target customer (individuals and families needing professional garment care).
Emerging players
- Rinse: Tech-enabled laundry and dry cleaning pickup/delivery service operating in multiple US metros with an app-first model. Compares to Comet on the core service offering but competes via digital convenience and subscription rather than storefront franchise.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Comet Cleaners social profiles
Digital presenceComet Cleaners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Comet Cleaners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Comet Cleaners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Comet Cleaners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Comet Cleaners
What does Comet Cleaners do?
Comet Cleaners is a family-owned dry cleaning and laundry service company that delivers professional garment cleaning, wash and fold, and alterations through a network of independently owned franchise locations. Its consumer-facing services include dry cleaning using liquid solvent, wash and fold laundry, alterations at select stores, and convenience features such as 24-hour drop-off, same-day service, and express bag service. Alongside retail operations, the company sells franchise rights to entrepreneurs across the US and Mexico under three tiered packages (Plant Store, Pickup Store, and Three Store Package), generating franchise fees and ongoing royalties.
Is Comet Cleaners a public or private company?
Comet Cleaners is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Comet Cleaners founded?
Comet Cleaners was founded in 1957. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Comet Cleaners based?
Comet Cleaners is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Comet Cleaners make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Franchise Fees are the primary driver. The others are royalty Fees and dry Cleaning Services.
Who are Comet Cleaners's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Cintas Corporation and ImageFIRST. Martin's Cleaners is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Dependable Cleaners, ZIPS Dry Cleaners, Mulberrys Garment Care, Tide Cleaners, Crest Cleaners and Lapels Cleaners. Rinse is listed as an emerging player.
Does Comet Cleaners have an API?
No public API is recorded for Comet Cleaners.
What industry is Comet Cleaners in?
Comet Cleaners's product category is Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAJADAA, Retail/Consumer Dry Cleaning (Storefront), with a secondary code of HSAJADAH, Household & Specialty Item Dry Cleaning (Drapes, Comforters, Rugs). Its NAICS code is 812320.