Factors ranging from pent-up demand going back to the onset of the COVID-19 lockdowns to concerns about tax hikes, labor shortages and the precarious state of the hospitality and restaurant industries, have fueled a recent uptick in laundry mergers and acquisitions (M&As), according to three consultants who work with both buyers and sellers of laundries.

“There are various reasons for people to sell their business, so there is no specific overriding factor,” says Jim Gutheim, president, James Gutheim & Associates Inc., Encino, CA. “However, many people felt that the Biden administration could increase taxes in 2022 and the assumption was ...