Car Washes
Industry Profile Report
Dive Deep into the industry with a 25+ page industry report (pdf format) including the following chapters
Industry Overview Current Conditions, Industry Structure, How Firms Operate, Industry Trends, Credit Underwriting & Risks, and Industry Forecast.
Call Preparation Call Prep Questions, Industry Terms, and Weblinks.
Financial Insights Working Capital, Capital Financing, Business Valuation, and Financial Benchmarks.
Industry Profile Excerpts
Industry Overview
The 18,520 car washes in the US provide washing, waxing, detailing, hand washing, and self-service washing of cars, trucks, vans, and trailers. Companies may also perform scheduled and preventative maintenance or body repair. Operations generally involve three types of car washes: conveyor car washes, in-bay automatic car washes, and self-service car washes. The industry includes regional chains, franchises, and independent operators.
Capital Investment
Automated car washes are capital-intensive and require a sizable investment in equipment.
Express Washes Explode
The number of express wash facilities has grown dramatically, driven by vehicle owners looking for faster, less expensive options and car wash owners looking for more economical alternatives.
Industry size & Structure
The average car wash operates out of a single location, employs fewer than 10 workers, and generates about $1 million annually.
- The car wash industry consists of about 15,640 firms that operate 18,520 establishments, employ 182,000 workers, and generate $16.2 billion annually.
- The industry is extremely fragmented; the top 50 companies account for 20% of industry revenue.
- Large companies include Mister Car Wash, Take 5 Car Wash, ZIPS Car Wash, and Autobell Car Wash.
- The industry includes regional chains, franchises, and independent operators.
Industry Forecast
Car Washes Industry Growth
Recent Developments
May 21, 2024 - Higher Employment, Miles Traveled
- Employment by car washes was up 5% in March 2024 year over year, while wages dropped 2.6% to $17.81 per hour, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The total vehicle miles traveled in the US were 0.7% higher in March 2024 compared to a year ago and 14.7% higher than the previous month, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. In addition, consumer spending levels showed an upward trend in the first quarter of 2024, according to personal consumption expenditures data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
- Consumer confidence levels fell in April 2024 from March 2024, marking a third consecutive month of weakness, according to data from The Conference Board. The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index was 97 in April 2024 from 103.1 in March 2024. According to Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, “Confidence retreated further in April, reaching its lowest level since July 2022 as consumers became less positive about the current labor market situation, and more concerned about future business conditions, job availability, and income.” Peterson added that confidence declined among consumers of all age groups and for all income groups except those in the $25,000 to $49,999 range. Plans for vacations, home purchases, and large appliances decreased on a six-month basis.
- The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) monthly jobs report shows that unfilled job openings were up in April 2024, with a seasonally adjusted 40% of business owners reporting jobs they could not fill. The reading is up three points from March 2024, which had the lowest reading since January 2021. A seasonally adjusted net 12% of small business owners plan to create new jobs over the next three months, up one point since March. About 19% of owners reported labor quality as the most important problem facing the business. According to NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg, “Hiring plans among small businesses once again in April, but open positions remain largely unfilled as owners struggle month after month to find employees. Overall, small businesses are not reporting net gains in employment as wage pressures and inflation keep the labor market tight.”
- Car wash operators will have to monitor minimum wage changes, as 22 states increased their minimum wages in January 2024, according to USA Today. About half of the increases are automatic adjustments linked to inflation. States that raised their minimum wages in January 2024 include Hawaii ($14), Maryland ($15), Nebraska ($12), and Washington ($16.28). Several states are set to boost their minimum wage levels later this year, including Florida (up to $13 in September) and Nevada (up to $12 in July). According to the Economic Policy Institute, nearly 40 US cities and counties will increase their minimum wage rates above state levels at the start of the new year. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and more than 20 states, primarily located in the South and the Midwest, use the federal minimum as their wage floor.
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