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Would you rather own a express/full service or a 4+2?

W

wash12

Member
Would you rather own a flex express which offers full service and needs 10-15 employees depending on the day but it can make well over 2x the profit of a 4 SS bay + 2 Auto bay wash.

I just can't stomach running it. Seems like such a headache even though it has the ability to do huge numbers. Even with a good manager I see it being very hands on.

I have done IBA and SS and like how they operate with minimal employees and less headaches (depending on the day!).

So would you rather have a Flex full service and make double the money or more or would you rather have a 2 IBA touchless with memberships and 4 SS bays?

Both washes are priced very close to one another and both need equipment upgrades that are also similar in cost.
 
Ideally the flex express would make enough to pay management quality labor. But a standard express would be much easier to run and still have good income potential.

Double touch free IBA would be sweet if the numbers are good.
 
I have an exterior express (no towel dry labor) and I think I’m right into middle of the two models you have cited. I definitely need labor every day and cannot wash 24/7, but I don’t have a fraction of the labor needed if I were offering flex services. I’ve often thought that my next wash, if I sell the tunnel, might be an IBA/SS location that requires much less labor than I am using now.
 
I just sold my Flex Express, and they are more work than you think. I will miss the customers and employees but life changes. Originally it was a standard full service, and when I changed to a flex it was wonderful. I now have other locations which are IBA/ SS. I believe the industry is heading towards Express being owned by private Equity groups, and Full service, In Bays and self-service owned by family operators.
 
I like the in bay touchless. No employee problems, plenty of business and profit, and no bogus damage claims. As for self service there is still a good market in my area for it. Just installed a touchless unit for a customer in a town of 5500. 2 other in bays for competition. 1st couple months he is averaging 40 plus washes a day at an average of $14. Not to shabby.
 
Islandwash said:
I just sold my Flex Express, and they are more work than you think. I will miss the customers and employees but life changes. Originally it was a standard full service, and when I changed to a flex it was wonderful. I now have other locations which are IBA/ SS. I believe the industry is heading towards Express being owned by private Equity groups, and Full service, In Bays and self-service owned by family operators.
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Flex is what this currently is. How many of your headaches came from the FS side? What were the biggest headaches running that site?
 
If I was silly enough to build a wash today, I would do 4 automatics (3 friction and 1 touchfree), no s/s, no vacs, no trash cans.
 
I was thinking if an IBA only site with no vacs or trash cans could work. Vacs are so profitable - hate to go without them, but there would be no reason for customers to ever get out of their car unless they towel dried after their wash.
 
wash12 said:
Would you rather own a flex express which offers full service and needs 10-15 employees depending on the day but it can make well over 2x the profit of a 4 SS bay + 2 Auto bay wash.

I just can't stomach running it. Seems like such a headache even though it has the ability to do huge numbers. Even with a good manager I see it being very hands on.

I have done IBA and SS and like how they operate with minimal employees and less headaches (depending on the day!).

So would you rather have a Flex full service and make double the money or more or would you rather have a 2 IBA touchless with memberships and 4 SS bays?

Both washes are priced very close to one another and both need equipment upgrades that are also similar in cost.
Click to expand...
Do not assume that an Express will make 2x the profit of a IBA/SS. Too many variables such as location, owner/operator, and the local demographics to be able to say which will yield the better profit. Managing people can be a headache unless you have very solid & reliable people (which is very hard to find).
 
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Today's carwash market is markedly different with the private equity express washes. In order to survive as a carwash flex service or even full service may have to be considered for survival. There very much is a customer desire for either one. I would much rather run a flex than a traditional full service, but I am out of the conveyor business now. I am content to do In Bays and self-service for a while. I fear that the conveyor market may be over saturated in some areas.
 
Earl Weiss said:
You could change the Flex to simply express and dal with fewer labor headaches.
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I thought of this but already has 2 express washes nearby and everyone knows it as the full service and it is an older community that loves FS. Would be a lot of hate if changed from a flex to just express. Just can't stomach 30 employees and touching peoples cars is a recipe for disaster.
 
Owning and running a carwash is a fun and a wonderful challenge. Once your market becomes saturated with Big Box Express washes, all the fun and joy vanish. You have to do something different, which might be a full service. But if you have a small market that may not be enough. Carwashes need volume. There are only so many cars to wash, before weather is even factored in.
 
wash12 said:
I thought of this but already has 2 express washes nearby and everyone knows it as the full service and it is an older community that loves FS. Would be a lot of hate if changed from a flex to just express. Just can't stomach 30 employees and touching peoples cars is a recipe for disaster.
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My father converted his FS to Express before it was called that. No Pay stations. My partner and and I converted 3 failing FS to express. Yes, some customers were not happy, but owners were a lot happier.
 
Earl Weiss said:
My father converted his FS to Express before it was called that. No Pay stations. My partner and and I converted 3 failing FS to express. Yes, some customers were not happy, but owners were a lot happier.
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I thought about doing flex and making the FS very expensive to either make it worth the headache and if they don't want to pay they can do it themselves. I am the only FS in a retirement town so it is in high demand. Only other option is a mobile detailer which charge $100 for a basic wash and clean.
 
A Flex with a quality full service, restricted hours for the full service and charge an appropriate price for the full service. Our industry has very often underpriced the full service. That way you can survive and prosper. Best wishes
 
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