TL;DR
In short: Zac Karlaftis left a 25-year telco career and built a Jim’s Laundry Services franchise around simple systems, fast turnaround, and consistent follow-up. He says laundry can take up to 10 hours a week, and a pickup-and-delivery service can give families back six hours weekly.
BLUF: In a Jim’s Podcast episode, Jim’s Group franchisee Zac Karlaftis, a Jim’s Laundry Services operator in Pascoe Vale Central, explains how he left a 25-year telco corporate career and now runs his workflow using masking-tape machine labels, a written diary, and a two-hour call-back process to drive repeat customers and consistent quality.
A Jim’s Laundry Services franchise works best when the operator runs tight systems and stays proactive. Zac grew his business 200% to 300% over about 26 to 27 months. This article covers his pivot, the practical workflow he uses daily, the stain and heat problem most people miss, and how the Jim’s model reduces risk for both customers and franchisees.
Watch the full episode below, or keep reading for the key takeaways.
Why Did Zac Leave Corporate For A Jim’s Laundry Services Franchise?
Zac spent 25 years in the telco world.
By the end, he hit a point where he “just kind of went enough enough” and wanted control over his time.
He also had a fear he could not ignore. He did not want to reach the later stages of life and think, “Why didn’t I just try it?”
That urgency made the decision simple.
His mum also played a part. She liked ironing and wanted him to explore a business idea connected to it. Zac started looking around, considered going out on his own, and then saw a sign on the freeway: “Jim’s laundry franchise for sale.”
He spoke with Bill Cobanoglu, founder of Jim’s Laundry Services, sat with the idea for a couple of months, and then made the call.
If you are weighing the same jump, start with how Jim’s approaches ownership and support here.
Zac did the three-day training, signed up, and left his last corporate job after being there about four and a half years.
He says he would never go back to working a corporate nine-to-five again.
Why Do Stains Get Worse After Washing And Drying?
Laundry becomes high-stakes when volume hits.
One common mistake creates the “it will never come out” problem: heat.
Here is what happens in real terms.
A stain that sits too long can bind deeper into the fibres. Then, if it goes through a full wash and into a hot dryer, the heat can lock the remaining residue into the fabric. That is why Zac tells customers: “If you have got a stain, get it to us early.”
His approach is practical and process-first:
- Separate loads (lights, darks, colours).
- Process one customer at a time to stop mix-ups.
- Track every load so nothing disappears into the wrong basket.
His low-tech system is the part most people skip.
He uses masking tape to label each machine with the customer’s name. He sticks the tape on the machines, tracks loads on a board, and uses a written diary for pickups and returns.
He says he has five machines running in rotation.
That sounds simple. It is also exactly how you prevent errors when you scale.
3 Pro Tips Zac’s way
- Do not heat-set a stain. If the mark is still there after washing, do not dry it. Flag it early.
- Get stains in early. Time makes removal harder.
- Lock your workflow. Labels, a board, and a diary reduce mistakes when you get busy.
Why Does The Flat-Fee Model Change The Risk?
Zac gets a common franchising question: “How much does Jim’s take?”
His answer is clear.
He pays a set fee every month, pays for his leads, and that is it. He says, “If I make $100,000 or I make a million dollars, I pay the exact same amount. There’s no change.”
If you want to know how franchise fees work across Jim’s divisions, read this.
That flat-fee structure matters because it does not punish growth.
Then Jim’s adds structure around the operator:
- Training: Zac did three days of training.
- Pre-launch structure: If you want to see how training works before you start, click this.
- Systems: Leads come through. Zac aims to respond fast, with a stated call-back target within two hours.
- Ongoing support: He mentions meetings (including Zoom options) and says he reaches out by phone or email when needed.
Zac also explains the customer journey in plain steps:
- Enquiry comes in (text and email).
- If he misses the first call, he texts, then calls later that day and again the next day.
- He books a pickup window and texts a reminder the day before.
- He texts after pickup so customers do not worry the laundry “has gone missing.”
- Turnaround can be 24 hours in some cases, or 48 hours depending on location.
He offers more than just wash, dry, fold:
- Ironing, mainly business shirts and pants.
- Dry cleaning through a partner when it fits the job.
That is the system advantage in real life. It is not a theory. It is a repeatable process.
Why Does Pascoe Vale Central Suit Pickup Laundry?
Zac operates in Pascoe Vale Central and describes his territory as the north-west.
That matters because the local demand profile is consistent:
- Families juggling school, sport, and busy weekends.
- Professionals who would rather buy time than spend it on laundry.
- Apartment living, where concierge drop-offs remove the “must be home” problem.
- Local businesses with repeat needs, like barbers (towels) and other service operators (uniforms).
Zac frames the service in hours, not baskets.
He says laundry can take up to 10 hours a week. He says a laundry service can save families six hours a week.
That time is what customers feel.
He also stays active locally:
- Box drops can take “five minutes.”
- Social content builds awareness even when a video only gets “500 views.”
| Feature | Standard Independent Contractor | Jim’s Professional Standard |
| Pricing model | Often inconsistent, changes from job to job | Clear service structure with brand standards |
| Growth impact | More work can mean more chaos | Systems and training support repeatable delivery |
| Trust signal | Reputation varies widely | Jim’s National Guarantee and established brand |
| Customer follow-up | Often no rebooking process | Proactive follow-up and rebooking habits |
| Quality control | Depends on the operator | Process discipline backed by franchise training |
“Zac Karlaftis, Jim’s Laundry Services franchisee in Pascoe Vale Central: ‘I would never go back to a corporate nine-to-five job and work with someone again.’“
FAQ: Jim’s Laundry Services Franchise And Local Service
Zac describes return windows of 24 hours in some cases, or 48 hours depending on location. He sets the timing upfront.
Zac uses reminders before pickup and confirmation messages after pickup, so customers stay informed. He also follows up if he misses the first call.
Zac offers ironing, mainly of business shirts and pants. He can also coordinate dry cleaning through a partner when needed.
Zac mentions families, busy professionals, apartment clients using concierges, and businesses needing towels or uniforms. He also references program-style work through plan managers and support coordinators.
Zac describes it as a set monthly fee plus lead costs, with no extra cut taken as earnings grow.
Earnings vary by division, territory, workload, and how well you retain repeat customers.
Zac says “wearing all the hats” is the biggest early challenge. He solved it by bringing in family support and hiring admin and marketing help as the business grew.
Key Takeaways
- Zac left a 25-year telco career and built a repeat-service business with simple systems.
- He says the business grew 200% to 300% in about 26 to 27 months by retaining regulars and following up.
- He targets fast response, with a two-hour call-back aim and clear pickup and return messaging.
- He reduces errors with separation, one-order-at-a-time processing, and machine labels.
- The flat-fee model removes the growth penalty common in percentage-based franchises.
Take The Next Step
Book A Local Pickup And Get Time Back
Want laundry support that saves you time and keeps the process simple? Select Jim’s Laundry Services for local pickup, professional standards, and the Jim’s National Guarantee.
Request your free quote from Jim’s Laundry Services today.
Build A Repeat-Work Business With A Proven System
Zac’s story shows what happens when a capable operator backs themselves, follows the system, and stays proactive with customers and marketing.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.