When you run a CLEANBI analysis, you receive a score from 0-100 and a letter grade. But what do these numbers actually mean? This guide breaks down our grading philosophy and helps you make informed decisions based on your results.
Our Grading Philosophy: Encouraging, Not Discouraging
CLEANBI was designed with a fundamental belief: every location has potential. That's why we don't use grades like "D" or "F"—they're discouraging and often unfair to locations that simply require different strategies.
Instead, locations scoring below 55 receive a "Needs Work" designation. This acknowledges challenges while leaving room for creative solutions and strategic improvements.
Grade Breakdown
Grade A (85-100): Excellent Opportunity
What it means: This location has strong fundamentals across all 17 factors. Demographics are favorable, competition is manageable, visibility is high, and economics strongly support the business model.
Action: Move quickly. A-grade locations are rare and typically don't stay on the market long. Competition from other buyers is likely.
Typical characteristics:
- 40%+ renter population
- Median income $30K-$60K
- 2 or fewer competitors within 1 mile
- High-traffic location with good visibility
- Growing or stable population
Grade B (70-84): Good Opportunity
What it means: Strong overall profile with a few areas that could be improved. Most successful laundromats operate in B-grade locations—they offer the right balance of opportunity and achievable price points.
Action: Proceed with confidence, but understand the trade-offs. Use the detailed breakdown to identify which factors are holding the score back.
Typical characteristics:
- 35-45% renter population
- Some competition, but not saturated
- Decent visibility with minor obstructions
- Stable demographics
Grade C (55-69): Fair Opportunity
What it means: The location has potential but also significant challenges. Success here requires strategic positioning—perhaps focusing on underserved niches, premium services, or operational excellence.
Action: Proceed with caution. Drill into the factor breakdown to understand specific weaknesses. Consider whether your business plan can overcome these challenges.
Questions to ask:
- Can I differentiate from competitors through service quality?
- Is there a specific customer segment being underserved?
- Are there upcoming developments that could improve conditions?
- Is the asking price discounted to reflect location challenges?
Needs Work (Below 55): Strategic Improvements Required
What it means: Significant challenges exist. This doesn't mean the location is hopeless, but it does mean the business will face headwinds that better-scored locations avoid.
Action: Consider alternatives unless you have a compelling strategic reason (e.g., you own the building, you've identified a specific untapped market, or the price is deeply discounted).
When "Needs Work" might still work:
- You're acquiring an existing cash-flowing business at a steep discount
- Major development is planned that will improve demographics
- You have a unique competitive advantage (e.g., exclusive partnership)
- The location is temporary while you build capital for a better site
Understanding Score Components
Your overall score is a weighted average of four category scores:
- Demographics Score: Population density, renter %, income levels, age distribution
- Competition Score: Number of competitors, market saturation, competitor quality
- Location Score: Visibility, traffic, parking, anchor tenants
- Economics Score: Rent levels, growth trends, utility costs
A location might score well in some categories but poorly in others. The detailed breakdown (available in all reports) shows exactly where strengths and weaknesses lie.
Comparing Scores Between Locations
CLEANBI scores are standardized, meaning you can directly compare locations:
- Location A (Score: 78) vs. Location B (Score: 72) → Location A is objectively better by 6 points
- A 10+ point difference is significant and likely represents meaningful operational advantages
- A 5-point difference might be noise; dig into category breakdowns to understand the difference
When comparing multiple acquisition targets, CLEANBI provides the objective data you need to make informed decisions.
Get Your Score
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