A Tale of Two Washes

What you put into your business determines what you’ll get out of it

Even though Charlie knew he needed to modernize his out-of-date carwash, he always resisted, lamenting, “Well, when I get a bit more money and can afford it, I will definitely make those upgrades.” Rather than going to the bank to take care of his business, Charlie was content to drag out the inevitable.

In 2003, Dan traveled across town to visit Charlie’s carwash after his neighbor told him she saw a “For Sale” sign in front of the building. When Dan arrived, he saw only a single car on the property, recognizing it as one of Charlie’s part-timers. As he looked around, it was readily apparent why the business was for sale.

A slimy green film covered the walls of the wash bays, and the once-painted exterior walls were now peeled and bare. The floor was covered in grime, and three of the four coin boxes displayed the original, faded decals from when the business first opened.

Dan was greeted by the startled attendant who at first had not realized anyone else was at the wash. He apologized that all of the coin changers were either out of service or had been emptied of their change and yet to be refilled.

When Dan asked about Charlie, he learned his competitor was on vacation. The attendant grumbled about how his boss could afford to go on vacation every year but not make the necessary repairs around the wash. The writing was quite literally on the wall, as one customer had scrawled in bold letters next to the change machine, “This machine eats your quarters! Do not use!” More than a few people had apparently got the message.

A few months later, Dan purchased Charlie’s old wash, buying it for the price of the land. The site would have to undergo extensive remodeling on a limited budget, but Dan was glad he already had the experience of running a successful carwash and had taken the time to develop contacts and relationships with other members of his local carwash association who could help with suggestions. He knew he had a lot of work ahead of him.

Dan understood the need to keep his carwash business under constant evaluation. What more can be done to make the business more efficient, customer friendly and profitable? Operators like Dan know that the way to remain profitable is to be proactive in making necessary changes, upgrades and retrofits as they become available. Shortsighted operators like Charlie, who fail to treat their carwash as a professional business, ultimately will lose customers, profits and, eventually, their carwashes.

There are several ways owners can transform an ugly duckling with dipping sales back into an attractive carwash location. If you have purchased a failed carwash business or suspect that your operation is showing the signs of failing, there are many strategies you can employ to help turn things around.

Next month, we will examine some of the basics of remodeling and retrofitting a carwash:

• Create a plan of attack for a successful location update.
• Minimize equipment costs. What equipment stays and what goes?
• Cosmetic upgrades that don’t cost an arm and a leg but look great.
• Create a new business identity through branding and marketing.
• Retrofit options that literally make money for the business.
• Grand reopenings that kick things off with a bang.

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