The Business
Car washes transitioned from per-wash to subscription membership models (unlimited monthly plan at $20-50/month). A tunnel wash with 500 monthly members at $30/month generates $15K in predictable MRR, with additional per-wash revenue. Location on a busy road is critical. Express exterior tunnels (no labor intensive interior) dominate new development.
How to Start
Self-service bays are the lowest barrier to entry ($50-150K). Tunnel washes require $300K-$1M+ investment. Look for existing car washes for sale in growing suburbs. Focus on the membership model from day one — the MRR transforms the business economics.
Equipment Needed
- ▸Tunnel or self-service bays
- ▸Payment systems
- ▸Chemicals
- ▸Compressors and dryers
- ▸Water reclaim system
Licensing
Business license + environmental permits
Monthly Search Volume
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“Express tunnel car washes with unlimited monthly subscriptions are the new hotness. A 60-car-per-hour tunnel on a good traffic location can do $60K–$100K/month. The subscription model means predictable MRR with very low variable cost.”
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