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
limousine Ackley .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareMany years ago, I had warned the carwash industry of... Read More
As small business owners we're in business to make money... Read More
One of the first things you will need to set... Read More
Every business plan book tells you how the Executive Summary... Read More
How do you find the best business partners?Finding a good... Read More
Anyone in business today realizes both the natural dependency on... Read More
As a franchisor I am always asked by new and... Read More
Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More
We hear a lot of talk about junk mail nowadays.... Read More
A Mattress Cleaning Business might be just for you if... Read More
There are many potential niches for pressure washing companies that... Read More
How to do itPeople skim through newspapers and magazines and... Read More
Never underestimate the power of perception! Perception plays a major... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
Cleaning the trailers towed by big trucks is not easy,... Read More
Many of our nations 400,000 franchisees run their businesses out... Read More
-- Beyond Cold Calling, "Warm" Calling and Sending E-mails --Many... Read More
Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More
While I was hard at work last week, an everyday... Read More
Here are some important points to take note of if... Read More
There are many choices when thinking about a small business... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
A cluttered world of marketing communications diminishes the ordinary. The... Read More
If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More
Having their own business is something many millions of people... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare Alexander ..What types of companies do you want to align yourself... Read More
Many have not experienced a fire up close. One year... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
IntroductionIt is widely recognised that Email and the Internet is... Read More
During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More
You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More
Security Professionals provide the products and services necessary to create... Read More
Do you have a Business Plan? Congratulations, but you are... Read More
In general, all of us know how to accomplish the... Read More
A top executive called up me late in the night.... Read More
The reason we Franchisors call it an exclusive territory is... Read More
It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More
My 16 year-old daughter said, "Gee Dad! You look just... Read More
Remember the cleaning business is all about time ratio to... Read More
In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More
Here are some useful tips on what to consider before... Read More
Franchising has made the world look really small. The well... Read More
When working from home, it is usual to find that... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
Until the day I learned to play chess I loved... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
The American system of business management has been admired and... Read More
When you awoke this morning, you found yourself buzzing with... Read More
KEEPING INTEREST HIGH: Supervision is key to the success of... Read More
Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S. securities broker or... Read More
Small Business |