question regarding car wash and gas stations

[CANative]

Maybe it's a locational thing like I implied.

The family I've worked for full time the last 4 years and worked with 20 years ago built an empire of C-store/Gas stations with car washes. Literally built them, not bought them. I've seen the income statements and listen to what they've said.

 

[BRCJR]

Maybe it's a locational thing like I implied.

The family I've worked for full time the last 4 years and worked with 20 years ago built an empire of C-store/Gas stations with car washes. Literally built them, not bought them. I've seen the income statements and listen to what they've said.

The C-Store/Gas Station does not seem to be a good fit for car washes, in my market anyway.

The people using the store are in a hurry and do not take the time to wash. People washing their vehicle do not think about going to the C-Store to wash their car. They think about going to the carwash to do so.

 

[GregoryK]

Look, list the SF anyway you wish - JUST EXPLAIN how you did it. For example: x,zzz SF mercantile building, which includes a zzz SF automatic tunnel carwash, or something similar. Generally, I list these things separate, and describe as attached to the mercantile building, or free-standing, located at the rear, east side, whatever. For the purposes of analysis, I personally would not include it in the gross square footage of the retail building, since often you can compare inside sales per SF to determine how your property fits in the competitive market. Same with car wash revenues.

 

[DTB]

The C-Store/Gas Station does not seem to be a good fit for car washes, in my market anyway.

The people using the store are in a hurry and do not take the time to wash. People washing their vehicle do not think about going to the C-Store to wash their car. They think about going to the carwash to do so.

In my market there are few who can make a go of a stand alone car wash. Multiple income streams are the norm. C-Store, gas, quick lube and car wash, in any combination is the better business model.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I used to use a car wash behind a C store and it was good for a couple years...then it was always doing a half job or wouldn't take your money. Barrels in front of bays. Obviously under performing. It is due to maintenance (lack thereof). It is hard to keep them going. In our area a stand alone is likely to do "OK". It is a matter of "eyeballs". Traffic count = activity. To keep customers, it best work all the time and every time and the only exception is when someone is working on a bay.

Near the chicken plants, the do-it-yourself wand wash bay works well. They can't afford a $6 wash. $2 is OK. The autowash works well in areas where women travel - shopping Centers, in front of Wal-Mart and if you have options like a tunnel wash with a truck wash bay and a few wand wash bays, then you draw from a larger crowd.

The secret is to have bays that operate and never run out of water, soap, or otherwise malfunction. And that requires maintenance, daily, hourly even.

 

[BRCJR]

I used to use a car wash behind a C store and it was good for a couple years...then it was always doing a half job or wouldn't take your money. Barrels in front of bays. Obviously under performing. It is due to maintenance (lack thereof). It is hard to keep them going. In our area a stand alone is likely to do "OK". It is a matter of "eyeballs". Traffic count = activity. To keep customers, it best work all the time and every time and the only exception is when someone is working on a bay.

Near the chicken plants, the do-it-yourself wand wash bay works well. They can't afford a $6 wash. $2 is OK. The autowash works well in areas where women travel - shopping Centers, in front of Wal-Mart and if you have options like a tunnel wash with a truck wash bay and a few wand wash bays, then you draw from a larger crowd.

The secret is to have bays that operate and never run out of water, soap, or otherwise malfunction. And that requires maintenance, daily, hourly even.

Pretty much the way it is. I used to "hang out", even worked a little, at several carwash operations a friend owned and operated.

Have another friend still in the business.

It is hard to believe the vandalism that happens to these places.

One time the friend shows up to find someone had broken in and unbolted the bill changer and pushed it into a truck or on a trailer and hauled it off. Never did find that thing. The other is the string and laminated 5 dollar bill and activating the bill changer until it is empty.

And every kid must think the self serve wand will work with their garden hose at home.

They either get stolen or found lying on the ground where the mirror and the hose tangled with each other.

 

[CANative]

It sounds like you guys are talking about those coin-op self serve washes. Not the automated tunnel washes found a C-store/gas stations like AM/PM, Valero, Shell, etc.

Different animal altogether.

 

[BRCJR]

It sounds like you guys are talking about those coin-op self serve washes. Not the automated tunnel washes found a C-store/gas stations like AM/PM, Valero, Shell, etc.

Different animal altogether.

Combos - these have both automatic bays and self serve bays

 

[DTB]

It sounds like you guys are talking about those coin-op self serve washes. Not the automated tunnel washes found a C-store/gas stations like AM/PM, Valero, Shell, etc.

Different animal altogether.

I based some of my info on some lengthy conversations with a car wash operator in Ontario, CA. He was originally from these parts.

His play out there was buying conveyor tunnel washes in bad shape. He ditched all the brushes etc. and just kept the sprayers and conveyor and made them into higher priced hand car washes with the conveyor.

Even in Ontario, CA, he said multiple income streams were necessary.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Like this - auto bay and self-service bay. Full tunnel...most failed around here by 2010.