In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined that only 10% of the Coin-op Car Washes had a web site. So if you are doing lots of individual research on car washes that are self serve, do not expect to find a lot of data on the Internet. Owners of coin-op car washes say that only 76% have internet access. The average population is 64% in the US. Not much better, so this low tech sector of the Industry seems to remain un Tech. Only 15% of coin-ops surveyed took credit cards for tokens, machines or even concession machines. Of which 17% only claimed to have concession machines, which most feel are 1/3 of their income if they had them. Only 4% had drinking water fountains. 13% had added an in bay automatic in the last five years. 51% had more than one location.
Today I visited 3 car washes that were coin ops owned by the same person. One had seven bays, another had three bays and one automatic, another had a car wash in front with 4 bays and an automatic and another car wash in the back with 4 more coin-op bays. All had attendants and machines. The survey seemed to follow the study of today. 68% said they were in middle-income areas. Only 7-9% had more than 5 car wash sites from 2000-2003 surveys and generally they were not all in only one city. Those with automatic in bay units found that those inbay units generated a gross of $5,435.00 and The average costs including Equipment was nearly $2,000.00, with the average breakdown time 2 weeks per year. 15 days. Best season was winter for the industry. Spring was also considered very good. Noon to 7 pm were the best hours. Busiest day of week was Saturdays. Only 18% have attendants. 43% had part time attendants and mostly on weekends. Average monthly gross income per bay was $1300.
The units we visited today seem to be inline maybe slightly higher than this of the Auto Laundry News Survey. All surveyed said that 2002 they made less money than previous years, which would make sense due to the lesser amount of personal monies, less money flow in this recession and lower employment figures. Also things, which plague the industry, were droughts and water shortages, restrictions and public perception about water. 20% of all owners of coin-ops are thinking of building another one. 27% said they did have other self serves in their car wash area of marketing.
Average coin-op being built cost $226K in equipment and $300K in land and improvements. This is why we are not interested in talking to poor people who think they want to build a car wash and think they will not have to work once built. We have talked to people wishing to build car washes with $30,000 down payment and think that they can build it for $45,000 I have to tell you judging by what we have learned and this survey you would not even be close.
Even with an SBA loan you need 20% down, so you would need $100K to do the deal if everything went right in most cities of any population base worthy of a good volume business. The Survey had some interesting thoughts, which said the average vacuum coin-op made $.20 per minute and each bay made $.38 per minute. We hoped you enjoyed this review of the survey to get the actual survey go to the Auto Laundry News Magazine web site.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.worldthinktank.net/wttbbs
best cleaning company Highland Park ..I am simply amazed at the problems some of my... Read More
Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important... Read More
What makes a business relationship?What really makes a business relationship?... Read More
Have you been searching for the perfect home-based business? I... Read More
Many companies wish to expand and a few wish to... Read More
Here is an interesting case study of a company, which... Read More
Q: After years of dreaming about starting my own business,... Read More
Are you thinking of starting a small pressure washer business... Read More
Writing a business plan for a mobile car wash is... Read More
Marketing is one of the four corner-posts of a solid... Read More
Should your business have a toll free number for customers... Read More
How do you know when an alliance needs to be... Read More
Setting priorities in your business? Your first job is to... Read More
When do annoyances in a relationship become too much to... Read More
How often has someone thought of starting a business based... Read More
Most small business owners are faced with so many responsibilities... Read More
Every company has a value proposition. That is a statement... Read More
If you're anything like me then you dislike with a... Read More
You'd like to go into business for yourself, and believe... Read More
Did you ever have one of those days or weeks... Read More
Administrative and clerical tasks are the bane of every industry.... Read More
If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) is a program that... Read More
Running a business, whether large, small or in your home,... Read More
A consultant must remember that the business belongs to the... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..A solopreneur I know disappears from my radar screen for... Read More
Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More
Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More
IntroductionIt is widely recognised that Email and the Internet is... Read More
Q: I really want to start my own business, but... Read More
Costs of over regulation and over disclosure end up hurting... Read More
What will your business look like a year from today?If... Read More
Now that winter has passed, the annual ritual of spring... Read More
Perhaps you are building a new home office or you... Read More
If you plan to upgrade your workshop into an Authorized... Read More
Anyone in business today realizes both the natural dependency on... Read More
As small business managers, we juggle limited resources in a... Read More
It's obvious when a small business has accepted the fact... Read More
Purchasing a franchise has become one of the most popular... Read More
If I had $1.00 every time I heard someone say... Read More
Due to the over regulation in the Franchising Industry and... Read More
A corporate shell could be liken to a house that... Read More
Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways... Read More
We were more than excited. Our women's doubles tennis team... Read More
"What do you do?" It just might be one of... Read More
What's your job profitability? I meet with business owners every... Read More
Bookkeeping?the "dreaded" word is something we all have to worry... Read More
Is your business making money? Would you know?Figuring out whether... Read More
Under the Securities Act of 1933, any offer to sell... Read More
What are the benefits of using a Freelance Consultant /... Read More
Small Business |