In a strategic move that reflects the rising trend of multi-brand franchising, three established ZIPS Cleaners franchisees are expanding their footprint in the garment care industry. They’re deepening their investment in the Washington D.C. area with the addition of their second Mulberrys Garment Care location, a luxury, high-touch dry cleaning concept.
Carlos Cadenas, Brett Vago and Kyo Kim, the partners behind CBK Management LLC, have just secured a new 1,400-square-foot space at 6647-B Old Dominion Blvd. in McLean, Virginia, marking the second Mulberrys location in the region. Set within the upscale McLean Square Shopping Center, the store is expected to open this fall, bringing Mulberrys’ premium experience to one of Northern Virginia’s most affluent suburbs.
For these three franchisees, this isn’t a leap of faith; it’s a calculated expansion rooted in operational know-how, brand synergy, and real estate strategy.
“Mulberrys has given us a great opportunity to leverage our ties to VDA, our knowledge of the DMV and our experience and connections in the dry cleaning and laundry space to capture more of the Northern Virginia/D.C. market and maximize our investments in real estate, equipment and labor,” said Vago.
From Fast-Casual to Five-Star: The Evolution of Franchise Investment
The trio isn’t new to franchising. In fact, all three currently operate ZIPS Cleaners units, either together or with other partners, under the umbrella of Value Drycleaners of America (VDA), the parent company of ZIPS. Vago and Kim were the first to test the waters with Mulberrys, opening its inaugural D.C.-area store in Friendship Heights in December 2023. With Cadenas now joining them, they’re amplifying their expansion efforts through CBK Management.
What makes this especially notable is that the trio is executing this strategy under a master franchise structure. In 2023, VDA formed a new subsidiary, Gemini Cleaners LLC, as the exclusive national franchisor for Mulberrys Garment Care. It’s a significant move: an established franchisor known for its value-based brand is now also piloting a luxury counterpart and recruiting its top operators to lead the charge.
“We’re thrilled to have Brett and Kyo, the operators of our first Mulberrys location, see the value of our dual-brand strategy and invest in expanding further in the D.C./Northern Virginia region,” said Mike Waintraub, National Director of Franchise and Business Development for both ZIPS and Mulberrys. “With Carlos joining them in this new venture, we have three seasoned operators pooling their expertise and resources to deliver the upscale Mulberrys brand promise.”
A Business Model That Attracts the Modern Franchisee
Mulberrys isn’t your typical dry cleaner. Built around the tagline “Dry Cleaning. Reimagined.”, the brand prides itself on offering an elevated customer experience, including spa-like interiors, green cleaning methods, a 10-step garment inspection process, and perks like complimentary collar stays and reusable wooden hangers.
It’s this premium approach that makes it a strong complement to the ZIPS model, which emphasizes affordability and speed. The duo represents a compelling portfolio strategy for franchisees who want to serve multiple segments of the market without straying far from their core competencies.
With the new McLean location, CBK Management is bringing that vision to life, targeting discerning consumers who want convenience without compromising on quality. The center’s proximity to Balducci’s Gourmet Market, Yves Delorme, and other luxury retailers offers a built-in audience that aligns with Mulberrys’ high-end positioning.
Looking Ahead: Multi-Brand, Multi-Market
While the McLean store marks just the second Mulberrys unit in the region, it’s unlikely to be the last. The original three-unit deal signed by Gemini Cleaners and CBK Management is already bearing fruit, and with this team’s deep franchise experience, the infrastructure is in place for faster rollout across the DMV.
As franchisees increasingly look for complementary brand pairings, CBK Management’s approach may serve as a model for how to diversify intelligently within the same industry vertical.
Mulberrys may be the newest name in the market, but with experienced operators at the helm and the strategic backing of VDA and Gemini Cleaners, it’s quickly becoming one to watch.
