YOUR DEPOT200 to 700 sq ft
- Greet customers and receive orders
- Inspect, quote, and photograph items in the Vite System
- Tag and track orders
- Return professionally cleaned garments to customers
- Build relationships in your neighbourhood
Why garment care, why now
A necessary service in a market that is finally being modernized.
Demand for dry cleaners does not rely on online presence.
Garments have to be physically collected, cleaned, and returned. There are no online substitutes for cleaning a wool coat, wedding dress, or a hotel's linen. Dry cleaning is one of the few retail industries the internet has not impacted.
Traditional dry cleaners are aging out.
Most cleaners in the GTA are single-owned facilities built decades ago that are competing on price, using equipment they cannot afford to replace or update, and unable to take advantage of technological advances to enhance their services and customers' satisfaction.
The winning business model will always be consistent top quality care and service.
ViteCleaners has over 40 years of industry experience and has invested a tremendous amount of resources to develop a retail model and system that excels in areas that traditional dry cleaners are failing in.
The model
You run the store. We run everything behind it.
WASHING DYNASTYour 15,000 sq ft hub
- Cleaning, pressing and finishing
- Specialty work: suede, leather, down, footwear, and every fabric in between
- Quality control of all orders to ensure they meet Vite standards
- Logistics, routing and delivery
- Standardize pricing, customer SMS, invoicing, and reporting
No cleaning equipment to buy. No garment care experience required. One to two employees is typically enough.
The Vite System
The reason a first-time operator can look like a twenty-year veteran.
The Vite System is the operating platform every ViteCleaners location runs on — configured around our workflow. It is not only a point-of-sale system, it is a centralized operating system that provides assistance and detailed information to our stores, customers, factory, and logistics team.
At the counter
- Retail intakes
- customer profiles
- order details with garment photos and notes
- pricing support and instant quotations
Nothing gets lost
Every piece carries an RFID tag. Items are tracked and sorted automatically, so orders come back complete and on time — and "where is my coat?" takes three seconds to answer, not three phone calls.
Your customer stays informed
- SMS status updates
- digital invoices
- payment links
- online orders
Your business is supported by a team of professionals
- Factory coordination
- delivery workflows
- marketing campaigns and membership programs
- business reporting
The most important thing the Vite System does is allow a new operator to deliver professional service without garment care experience.
15,800+ orders processed through the Vite System to date.
Investment
What it takes to open.
- Store size
- 200 – 700 sq ft
- Total initial investment
- $80,000 – $100,000 CAD
- Initial franchise fee
- $15,000 — Early Market Launch Program(standard fee thereafter: $20,000)
- Ongoing royalty
- 5% of gross sales
- Marketing fund
- 3% of gross sales
- Equipment you purchase
- None required
- Staff
- 1 – 2 employees
- Multi-unit
- Discretionary development discount for approved candidates
The $15,000 initial franchise fee applies to the first ten franchised units. After that, the standard fee is $20,000.
Revenue, margins and break-even
We will send the following details directly to qualified candidates: average location revenue, operating cost structure, margin ranges under owner-operated versus manager-operated models, and observed time to break-even.
Request full details →Sent within one business day.
Path to opening
From first conversation to first customer — typically six to twelve months.
Apply
a short form — just how to reach you. Tell us anything you would like us to know.
Introductory call
45 minutes. We walk through the model; you tell us what you're looking for.
Qualification & Investment Overview
the store-level financials, and the formal disclosure process begins.
See it working
visit Washing Dynasty and spend time inside a live Vite Depot.
Site selection
our realtor works with you, or bring your own agent. Every site must meet Vite's location criteria.
Agreement & build-out
lease, design, install.
Training & launch
6–7 days of training, and Vite personnel will be on-site to support during the store's opening week.
Training & support
You will not be figuring this out alone.
Before you open — 6 to 7 days, 5 hours a day
Days one and two are at our production facility, so you understand the entire workflow your store sits on top of. The rest is spent inside a working Vite Depot.
System training: receiving and tagging orders · quotations and garment care advice · documenting orders with notes and photos · processing payment · sending status updates · finalizing orders for pickup · supporting online orders.
Beyond the system: customer service and claims handling · operational procedures and workflows · garment inspection · local marketing and customer development.
Franchisee training is included in the franchise fee. Additional sessions for future hires carry a small training fee.
Opening week
A Vite team member is on-site with you through the first week your doors are open.
Ongoing
Scheduled check-ins, operational reviews, system support, training refreshers and issue escalation — on-site, virtual or by phone, depending on what the situation needs.
Territory & location
Where a Vite Depot works.
- What we look for
- We select locations that are near condos and business buildings where our target customers are within walking distance. Our target customers are white collar professionals and executives, business owners, and those who have an annual income of $60K+. We also place emphasis on locations where there is easy access to parking.
- Finding your site
- We work with a realtor who knows Vite's business and operational requirements. If you already have an area or a specific unit in mind, we'll evaluate it. You're also free to use your own agent.
- Protected spacing
- Locations surrounded by condos, apartments, and business buildings should be more than 500–800 metres radius away from other Vite locations. In residential areas, Vite locations will need to be more than 2 km radius away from each other.
- More than one
- Multi-unit operators are welcome, and approved multi-unit candidates may be offered a development discount.
I had never worked in garment care before. What I like most is that with ViteCleaners I don't need dry cleaning skills, I don't need to invest in equipment, and I don't need industry experience — my English doesn't even have to be perfect. I just focus on running my depot well, then opening the next one, one at a time. It's an attractive cash-flow business: steady, and built to keep going.
Who we're looking for
This works best for a particular kind of owner.
- Someone is there full-time. That can be you or a manager you hire, but the business needs a full-time operator. We strongly recommend franchisees to be hands-on during the launch period.
- You're good with people. No garment care experience is required, but the ability to deal with customers professionally and warmly is a must.
- You want to own an asset, not just a location. The operators who succeed are the ones who are keen on growing and building their customer base, not just simply owning a store.
- You have $80,000–$100,000 to invest and are looking at the Greater Toronto Area.
- Bonus: you are thinking about owning more than one location.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Business & the Brand
What makes your business different?
ViteCleaners was created to excel in all the crucial operational areas that traditional dry cleaning depots have failed in. We own and operate a large centralized garment cleaning facility hub that closely monitors the quality of cleaned garments to ensure they meet our standards and our customers' expectations. All garments are RFID tagged which allows each piece to be tracked and sorted automatically for timely deliveries and to eliminate having items misplaced. All Vite retail depots utilize the Vite System for all order processing which allows order details and processes to be seamlessly communicated to those at our cleaning facility and to our customers. Our customers receive timely SMS communication pertaining to the status and details of their order. The Vite System also integrates marketing campaigns and membership programs to broaden customers' experience and the depot's profit margin.
ViteCleaners is not just a dry cleaning drop-off store. It encompasses an enhanced garment care retail model and system designed to help operators provide better customer experience and build a scalable business.
How long have you been in business?
The production facility behind ViteCleaners has been cleaning garments for Toronto since 1981. It started as a single downtown facility serving local residents and businesses. Four decades later it operates as Washing Dynasty, a 15,000 square feet production hub and one of the few facilities in Ontario well equipped to clean suede, leather, down, footwear, and every fabric in between. Serving institutional clients including the TTC, Toronto Police Service, and EMS, alongside 60+ partner depots across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
ViteCleaners, the retail division of Washing Dynasty, is how our expertise and capabilities are reaching customers.
How many locations do you currently have?
Three ViteCleaners locations are open, with a fourth opening soon — and that number is deliberate. Company-operated depots are not how we plan to grow. We keep three to five of them so we stay close to the market, learn what actually works at the counter, and prove it before we ask a franchisee to run it. Growth comes through franchising and partnership. In fact, once a company depot is running well, we're open to transferring it to a qualified franchisee from within our network.
What is not new is the business underneath. Washing Dynasty has been cleaning garments in Toronto since 1981 and today serves 60+ partner locations, nursing homes, hotels and institutional clients including the TTC, Toronto Police Service and EMS. The production capacity, the logistics and the technology are proven at scale. The storefront is the new part — which is exactly why the first ten franchise units are priced the way they are.
What is your biggest competitive advantage?
The Vite System — the platform every Vite Depot runs on. The Vite System is the core technology platform behind ViteCleaners. It is not just a point-of-sale system. It is an order control, customer communication, and retail operations platform designed specifically for the garment care industry.
The system simplifies and manages:
- Retail counter intakes
- Customer profiles and details
- Order details that are supported with garment pictures and notes
- Order identifiers and RFID tags for order tracking
- Pricing support
- SMS communication to customers
- Digital invoices
- Payment links
- Online orders
- Factory coordination and delivery workflows
- Business reporting.
One of the most important advantages of the Vite System is that it helps new operators provide professional service, even without having garment care experience.
Where do you see the brand in five years?
The most recognized garment care brand in Ontario. We measure our network in Vite Service Points — every place a customer can hand off a garment. That includes franchised depots, a small number of company-operated depots, Vite Partner Points inside existing retail businesses, and Vite Lockers in condo and office buildings. The target is well over 100 Service Points across the Greater Toronto Area.
Running the Depot
Do I need to have laundry cleaning experience?
No experience is required as full training will be provided. However, being able to interact and communicate with customers in a friendly and professional manner is a must.
Do I need to operate any washing and cleaning equipment?
No. However, large depots may want to take advantage of the space available and invest in a commercial washer and dryer to conveniently fulfill laundry, and wash and fold orders quickly and cost effectively.
Do I have to work full-time in the business?
Someone needs to be available full-time to operate the business. Although it is entirely up to the franchisee to decide whether to personally operate the business or hire help, it is highly recommended that franchisees contribute and be as hands on with the business as much as possible (at least during the launch period). Franchisees should be able to fully comprehend all the operational aspects of the business and dedicate time to understand and establish a relationship with their customers.
Can I hire a manager to operate the business?
Yes, the decision on whether to hire a manager is entirely up to the franchisee.
How many employees are needed?
Generally, 1-2 employees will be sufficient depending on the size of the depot and the desired services the franchisee would like to provide their customers.
What are the typical hours?
Operating days and hours are set by the franchisee. However, we do suggest operating at least 8 hours per day, six days a week.
Location & Territory
How is the franchise location selected?
We select locations that are near condos and business buildings where customers are within walking distance. We also place emphasis on locations where there is easy access to parking for customers (i.e., shopping plazas, etc.).
Does ViteCleaners help find the location?
Yes, we have a realtor who works closely with us to select locations that meet ViteCleaners' list of business and operational requirements. Should the franchisee have a specific location or area they are interested in, we will also take that into consideration. Franchisees may also opt to use their own agent.
What are the ideal demographics?
The majority of our customers are white collar professionals and executives, business owners, and those who have an annual income of $60K+
How many ViteCleaners depots can operate in one area?
Vite Depots that are surrounded by condos, apartments, and business buildings should be more than 500–800 metres radius away from other Vite Depots. In residential areas, Vite Depots will need to be more than 2 km radius away from each other.
Can I operate multiple ViteCleaners depots?
Absolutely. We may even offer a discretionary discount for franchisees who would like to operate multiple ViteCleaners depots.
Training & Support
What kind of initial training do you provide?
Franchisee training will primarily focus on how to operate a professional garment care retail depot as all the cleaning aspects of the business will be performed in our centralized cleaning facility.
Training will cover utilizing the Vite System and online tools to:
- Receive and tag orders
- Provide quotations and garment care advice
- Document orders with notes and pictures
- Process payment
- Send customer order status updates
- Finalize orders for pickup
- Provide online order support
There will also be training in the following areas that are not systems related:
- Customer service and claims handling
- Operational procedures and workflows
- Garment inspection
- Local marketing and customer development
How long is the training?
Training will take approximately 6-7 days (5 hours per day) to complete.
Where does the training take place?
To understand the entire process and workflow behind our business operation, the first and second day of the training will be at our company's cleaning production facility, and the rest of the training will be spent at a Vite Depot.
Is training included in the franchise fee?
Yes, training for franchisees is included in the franchise fee. However, there will be a small training fee for any future training sessions requested for additional operators (i.e., new hires).
Will someone help me during the opening?
Yes, there will be a Vite personnel on-site to provide support during the first week of the depot's opening.
How much support will I receive after opening?
Vite will continue to support franchisees through scheduled check-ins, operational reviews, system support, training refreshers, and issue escalation assistance.
A designated group of Vite professionals will provide support either on-site, virtually, or by phone depending on the matter and situation.
Investment & Financials
How much does it cost to open a ViteCleaners franchise?
The size of the depot will greatly determine the cost. Vite Depots typically range from 200 to 700 square feet. Therefore, the cost ranges from approximately $80,000 to $100,000.
How much working capital should I have?
The suggested ideal working capital is between $250,000 and $300,000 (net assets). The amount of capital depends on the length of time for the depot to establish and generate a stable income.
What is the franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $15,000 for the first 10 franchise units under the early market launch program. After the initial launch period, the standard initial franchise fee is expected to be $20,000. For approved multi-unit candidates, Vite may offer a multi-unit development discount, subject to territory, timeline, qualification, and final agreement.
What are the ongoing royalty fees?
5% of the depot's gross sales
Are there advertising/marketing fees?
3% of the depot's gross sales
What are the typical monthly operating costs?
Operating costs are driven primarily by rent and vary with depot size and format. We share the full cost structure in the Investment Overview.
Request full details →How long does it typically take to break even?
Break-even timing varies by location, format and how hands-on the operator is. We share the ranges observed across existing Vite Depots in the Investment Overview.
Request full details →What is the average revenue of a franchise location?
Financial performance representations are regulated in Ontario, so we share location revenue directly with qualified candidates rather than publishing it. It's in the Investment Overview.
Request full details →What kind of profit margins can I expect?
Margins differ meaningfully between owner-operated and manager-operated depots, and vary with sales and wages. We share both ranges in the Investment Overview.
Request full details →The first ten units.
The $15,000 initial franchise fee applies to the first ten franchised Vite Depots. After that it's $20,000. If a position in the GTA garment care market is something you want, this is the least expensive point at which to take one.
Already run a retail business? There's a lighter way to work with us.
Not every Vite Service Point is a franchise. If you already operate a location with foot traffic — a convenience store, a salon, a tailor, a pharmacy, a building concierge desk — you can become a Vite Partner Point. Customers drop off and collect garments at your counter, we handle collection, cleaning and delivery, and you earn on every order.
No franchise fee. No build-out. No equipment. No change to the business you already run.
Ask about Partner Points →