How to buy a car wash.
How to buy a car wash in Texas: express tunnel vs. self-serve, membership revenue, equipment and real estate, SBA financing, and the due diligence checklist.
To buy a car wash, decide on the model (express tunnel, full-service, in-bay automatic, or self-serve), then evaluate cars washed per day, membership count and churn, average ticket, labor and chemical costs, equipment age, and the real estate. Most car wash acquisitions include the land and are financed with SBA or conventional loans. Verify every revenue figure against point-of-sale and bank records before you commit.
Pick the model that fits you
Express tunnels with monthly memberships are the most sought-after and most competitive. Full-service washes need more labor and management. In-bay automatics and self-serve washes are smaller, need less staff, and suit first-time buyers. Each has a different risk and return profile.
What to diligence
Point-of-sale data on cars washed and average ticket, membership counts and monthly churn, utility, chemical, and labor costs, equipment age and maintenance records, water reclamation, zoning and permits, competition nearby, and the environmental and title review on the land. See the due diligence checklist.
Financing a car wash
Because most washes include real estate, SBA 7(a) and 504 loans are common, often with a longer amortization on the property portion. Lenders want verifiable revenue and a buyer with a credible operating plan. See SBA financing and buying a business with real estate.
Finding a car wash to buy
Good washes often sell off-market to operators who already know the owner. Register a buy-side mandate and we will bring you owners who fit, or see our car wash page.