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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A technology-driven express car wash franchise backed by a national brand, proprietary systems and more than 50 years of industry experience.
Tommy’s Express Car Wash is a car wash franchise built around an express tunnel model, recognizable site design and technology-forward customer experience. The brand offers app-based memberships, license plate recognition, proprietary point-of-purchase systems, detergent management, real-time business analytics and other tools designed to support a modern car wash operation.
Tommy’s Express Car Wash started in 1969, when Jun and Sonny Essenburg launched the first Quality Car Wash in Holland, Michigan. Over the following decades, the company expanded its operations, equipment systems and site designs while developing what would become Tommy Car Wash Systems.
In 2016, Tommy’s Express Car Wash was launched as a franchise brand supported by Tommy Car Wash Systems. The franchise combines the company’s proprietary equipment package, operational systems and the distinctive Totally Tommy building design.
Mission: Tommy’s Express aims to provide a fast, convenient and high-quality car wash experience supported by innovative technology and proven operating systems.
Vision: The brand seeks to continue expanding its national footprint while delivering a consistent car wash experience across North America and beyond.
Tommy’s Express reports more than 270 sites open and coming soon throughout North America. Prospective franchisees can contact the brand directly to learn about available territories and expansion opportunities.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Tommy's Express Car Wash franchise ranges from $3,482,389 to $4,163,279 for a World Model Tunnel and $9,135,438 to $11,846,697 for a Flex Model Tunnel. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | World Model Tunnel | Flex Model Tunnel | ||
Min | Max | Min | Max | |
| Initial Franchise Fees | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Soft Costs | $122,347 | $272,169 | $122,347 | $122,169 |
| Building Construction Costs | $961,475 | $961,475 | $2,908,030 | $3,577,890 |
| Site Specific Construction Costs | $287,995 | $287,995 | $905,500 | $1,819,864 |
| Architectural Services | $52,000 | $52,000 | $103,900 | $106,000 |
| Building Structure | $283,224 | $283,224 | $1,603,200 | $1,636,000 |
| Building Components | $226,650 | $226,650 | $323,893 | $323,893 |
| Lighting | $49,278 | $49,278 | $71,902 | $71,902 |
| Signage | $95,000 | $102,005 | $123,876 | $124,800 |
| Conveyor | $109,650 | $117,451 | $767,204 | $848,347 |
| Car Wash Equipment | $155,708 | $155,708 | $220,115 | $256,605 |
| Cloth | $8,634 | $8,634 | $26,330 | $26,330 |
| Drying System | $87,881 | $87,881 | $137,985 | $159,525 |
| Support Equipment | $384,014 | $384,014 | $302,532 | $325,817 |
| Guardian Wash Controls | $132,387 | $132,387 | $231,161 | $289,957 |
| Vacuum System | $87,400 | $147,462 | $364,096 | $469,910 |
| Point of Sale System | $32,706 | $32,706 | $90,580 | $108,868 |
| Accessories | $55,453 | $55,453 | $173,499 | $229,008 |
| Tommy’s Express Kit | $4,360 | $4,360 | $82,799 | $90,289 |
| Install | $141,627 | $141,627 | $371,889 | $372,023 |
| Insurance | $6,500 | $78,000 | $6,500 | $78,000 |
| Office Equipment & Supplies | $800 | $10,000 | $800 | $10,000 |
| Furniture & Fixtures | $2,500 | $17,000 | $2,500 | $17,000 |
| Training Expenses | $19,800 | $25,800 | $19,800 | $25,800 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $15,000 | $20,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Grand Opening Mailer | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $154,600 | $660,800 | $100,000 | $500,000 |
Tommy’s Express also offers a 90’ Model Tunnel ($5,244,264 to $6,638,930), a 110’ Model Tunnel ($5,112,819 to $6,971,565) and a 130’ Model Tunnel ($5,308,564 to $7,529,460).
Initial Franchise Fee: Tommy's Express charges a $50,000 initial franchise fee for first-time franchisees and $40,000 for each subsequent location. The fee is due in a lump sum when the franchise agreement is signed.
The company also offers honorably discharged U.S. military veterans a $10,000 discount on the initial franchise fee.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Tommy's Express Car Wash franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 4% of gross sales/week |
| Brand Development Fee | 1% of gross sales/week |
| Local Marketing | 2% of gross sales/month |
| Technology | $119/week |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 197 outlets open for at least 12 months reported the following annual gross sales for 2025:
| Age of Outlet | Average | Median | Low | High |
| 12-23 Months (39) | $1,142,179 | $937,109 | $441,407 | $2,564,833 |
| 24-35 Months (42) | $1,402,967 | $1,421,353 | $487,798 | $3,242,607 |
| 36-47 Months (40) | $1,793,602 | $1,749,041 | $501,830 | $3,453,750 |
| 48-59 Months (28) | $1,985,779 | $2,010,228 | $1,001,488 | $3,641,314 |
| 60+ Months (48) | $2,222,170 | $2,070,866 | $775,072 | $4,553,649 |
The franchise process begins with a discovery webinar and location tours. Franchisees receive support from Tommy’s real estate team during site selection and land acquisition. During development, franchisees work alongside a dedicated project manager and gain access to preferred contractor resources.
Tommy’s Express trains franchisees through Tommy University, the company’s learning platform. Tommy University includes more than 40 videos, lessons and certifications focused on operations and safety. The company reports more than 380 Tommy University graduates in 2025.
Franchisees receive support throughout development and operations, including:
Tommy’s Express provides franchisees with a proprietary technology suite that includes:
Tommy’s Express does not require prior car wash experience. The brand looks for franchisees who can meet its financial requirements and are willing to follow its operating model, complete the necessary training and build a team capable of running the business day to day.
Tommy’s Express is a low-labor operating model. A typical location is designed to operate with approximately 12 full-time employees.
Tommy’s Express does not offer direct or indirect financing to franchisees.
"We immediately felt that the Tommy's Express leadership team's core values were aligned with ours. We were also impressed with their commitment to quality, customer experience, and ongoing research and development. Their franchise model allows us to benefit from the half a century of experience Tommy's Express has in the car wash industry."
- Tamara Davis, Franchisee — Kansas, Oklahoma, Alaska
Visit the Tommy’s Express franchise website for more franchisee testimonials and success stories.
The U.S. car wash market is expected to reach $1.4 billion in 2026 and grow to approximately $2.1 billion by 2033, representing a 5.8% compound annual growth rate during the forecast period. Growth is being fueled by rising consumer preference for professional car wash services, the continued expansion of membership-based wash clubs and technology that makes the customer experience faster and more convenient.
Tommy’s Express competes by combining a recognizable national brand, proprietary technology, advanced equipment systems and more than five decades of industry expertise.
Primary competitors include Mister Car Wash, Take 5 Car Wash, Club Car Wash, Quick Quack Car Wash and ZIPS Car Wash.
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