“I'm surrounded by trucks all day here in the Motor City! Trying to figure out a way to capitalize on it!”
Perhaps the best way to capitalize is to begin with something less risky like leasing a big step-van and start-up a mobile trucking washing business.
Here, you would drive to businesses and wash customers trucks in company parking lot like porters do at new car dealerships.
Free-standing truck wash is tougher game than carwash.
Trucks are very long so lots of property is needed for navigation and buildings. For example, a dual tunnel requires 3.0 acres of dirt and three structures totaling 8,500 SF. Also requires huge detention pond.
Demand is greatest at highway exchange and requires co-location with high volume truck stop. Most sites need 40 to 50 rigs a day to make money at $50.00 a pop.
Hand wash takes 30 minutes and auto roll-over about 8-minutes (friction or touch-less). It’s a very messy business that requires very strong chemistry.
Independents drivers who own their trucks are more finicky that car owners and they don’t like automatic brushes.
Corporations want contracts and discounts. Some of these companies are even cheaper than new dealers in terms paying a fair wholesale price.
Then there is exit strategy. Not only are there very few buyers for this type of wash, what happens if the site falls short of projections?
What is worth less than used carwash equipment? Answer, used truck wash equipment.
How much is a used 8,500 SF, 25-year life, metal building worth? Answer, steel scrap prices.
What do you do with 3.0 acres next to a built-out truck stop? Answer punt.
Sorry I’m so emphatic. I’ve done some opinion of value reports for under-performing truck washes and it isn’t a pretty scene.