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
same day cleaning service Des Plaines ..So what exactly is a "Small Business Lone Ranger?" A... Read More
Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important... Read More
Office support services can range from basic data entry to... Read More
The difference between rates and wages is not always clear... Read More
What is Business Valuation? The term business valuation is the... Read More
Here are just a few ways to increase and diversify... Read More
Whether you operate a chain of restaurants, a mom-and-pop convenience... Read More
It's a commonly quoted statistic: 80% of all small businesses... Read More
Small Business, Big Business ? What's the Diff?Well a lot... Read More
Do you operate your business as a series of projects,... Read More
Senior citizens are generally not a large marketing segment for... Read More
You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More
Experts urge small business owners to "brand" their business ?... Read More
Aircraft Interiors of personal and corporate jets have hundreds of... Read More
You want to know more about making money with your... Read More
Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More
Fuel prices these days are quite high and they take... Read More
The Boston suburbs seem to be rich with possible locations... Read More
Why would you use an event pass?Event passes are often... Read More
If you own a mobile truck washing, pressure washing or... Read More
It's Monday morning and Connie the Consultant sits in her... Read More
You need to be visible to attract customers, right? But... Read More
Many physical therapists in private practice have the appearance of... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission out of the blue decide in... Read More
You make the decision to go into business and for... Read More
home cleaning services Mundelein ..To have one of the popular in home daycare businesses.... Read More
What is Business Valuation? The term business valuation is the... Read More
A Brilliant Marketing Idea... sounds great but what is it?... Read More
We all know that a building has to have a... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
What would happen if you decided to take an extended... Read More
How do you make sure you have the business solutions... Read More
A tongue-in-cheek look at the skills required to operate a... Read More
We love Wichita because it has great all round weather... Read More
In franchising an individual desirous of their own business will... Read More
Achieving real success should be the goal of any good... Read More
1. Have A Strong Constitution ? Justices deliver decisions by... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
The restaurant industry in the United States employs an estimated... Read More
Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More
Cash flow. To stay in business, you've got to keep... Read More
Small business success is very similar to learning to walk,... Read More
Maximum efficiency in the cleaning industry is a key to... Read More
Would it help you as a real estate investor to... Read More
Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn says that for a... Read More
Time. As a small business owner, it's the commodity you... Read More
Before you want to build your business, you need to... Read More
Mr/Ms, 'not me' is often on holidays in your business.... Read More
One of the great challenges for independent professionals and small... Read More
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, since... Read More
Small Business |