Carwash Franchisor Case Study

There are only a handful of car wash franchises in the world. This might offer some insight on how car wash franchises come into existence. This is a crazy story. It is the history of our company and how we ended up in the Carwash Franchise business. One of our franchisees of our mobile car wash business; The Car Wash Guys, was in Idaho, was the son of a wheat farmer, the areas largest farm family land holder in Idaho's banana belt. About a month before he called us I put up this web site called www.detailguys.com and said what the hell, I will put up a form in case someone wants to buy a franchise for only auto detailing and not mobile car washing we can make a sub franchise out of it. Previously I did a couple of trade shows. The Black Expo and a BizOp/franchise show, great results and really I did not need any leads. But what I learned was their were significant people wanting low-priced franchises. So I put up the website and put a form on it and the very next day I get a lead from Phil the farmer in Idaho, looking for a simple business. He wanted to start a business, but stick more with auto detailing on a mobile bases, which was slightly different than that of our mobile care wash franchise. So he wanted a franchise ID. But heck I was in CA and ID seemed like another World at the time. It was. Things went good, because we made it work and Phil then bought a car wash guys mobile truck and later an auto detailing trailer and hired on some more workets.

Things again were getting even better. He could now detail and wash. He saved his money and decided to open a car wash. So he called me up one day and said Lance, Am I allowed to open a fixed site car wash? I thought, but I hate carwashes, because they hate mobile washers chipping away at their customer base. But then I thought the combo would be unstoppable. I said yes. Here is what we built:

www.carwashguy.com

This is over the river in WA State in Clarkston, Phil lives in Idaho in Lewiston. So then I had a franchisee operating three concepts in 2 states. He said to me. What do you know about carwashes? I thought, everything. I mean they are competition and I know my enemy better than the Navy Seal teams before entry. I had every industry magazine from the start of car washing magazines. I had every published book, manual written, and article, all in boxes. I have attended every trade show of the International Car Wash Association in the last six years, and collected literature at every table. It was a long project but we put the franchise together. Phil got his car wash opened and it became our prototype and then we started franchising fixed site car washes. It just proves you never know what you will learn or which market niches you will enter in the future as an entrepreneur. The important thing is to constantly scan the horizon for market niches and opportunities, which will work. Think on this concept today.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

---

Tips on Setting Up Your Small Business Bank Account

One of the first things you will need to set... Read More

Franchise Buyers Lying On Forms

The Federal Trade Commission which governs the franchise industry thru... Read More

Creating Time the Virtual Way

Time. As a small business owner, it's the commodity you... Read More

Business Failure, The 8 Traps Causing Failure And The One Attribute Which Ensures Business Survival

It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More

Low Cost or Highly Funded Start Up

Many new ventures are preoccupied with all the money they... Read More

Franchise Companies Come and Go

Each day we hear of companies entering the franchising industry.... Read More

Where To Get Money For a Franchise Idea

How often have you thumbed through a business opportunity magazine,... Read More

Common Sources of Financing for Small Business

The choice of financing is an important determinant of whether... Read More

Comparing Boston Area for a mobile car wash business

The Boston suburbs seem to be rich with possible locations... Read More

Hispanic Small Business Advantage

One thing I have noticed in my travels to different... Read More

How to Sponsor an Event for Fun and PROFIT

How do you sponsor an event and get personal introductions... Read More

Mobile Car Wash and Cleaning Post Office Jeeps

If you own a mobile truck washing, pressure washing or... Read More

Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?

Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?... Read More

Concrete Cleaning Discussed at World of Concrete Expo 03

If you are in the pressure washing business and are... Read More

Operating Your Small Business ? Everything Really Is a Project

Do you operate your business as a series of projects,... Read More

Real World Accounting for Small Business Owners

If you're like me, you love accounting. It's so fascinating... Read More

Essex Accountants: Top Things to Look For

One of the most common horrific mistakes a business can... Read More

6 Ways Small Businesses Can Survive In A Crazy Economy

Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More

Cash Flow: Why Chaos Equals Poor Cash Flow

Recently one of my customers told me the chaos swirling... Read More

How to Profit from Business Consulting Opportunities

Business consulting opportunities might be just what your are looking... Read More

Batting Cages Business - Making Profits With The Swing Of A Bat

There is a Batting Cages Business for those people who... Read More

More Rules for Franchising?

The FTC- Mighty Federal Trade Commission has unilaterally decided to... Read More

Debit and ATM Card Advice for Small Businesses

Your business account comes with an ATM, Debit card. Pick... Read More

How to Wash Mobile Homes as a Business

Washing manufactured homes, mobile homes, can be a lucrative and... Read More

Why Small Businesses Fail (or Fail to Thrive)

Tammy, a skilled and gifted horticulturist, called me to discuss... Read More

The 5 Habits of Highly Successful Small-Business Owners

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More

Top Ten Blunders Business Owners Make

In today's marketplace the words 'job security' have become an... Read More

Small Business Survival Tips

No matter what kind of small business you have, you... Read More

7 Cash Flow Secrets Your Accountant Never Told You

Looking for ways to boost your cash flow? As a... Read More

SBAs 8(a) Program Can Help Some Companies Compete

Q: A friend told me that as a woman of... Read More

7 Advantages to Incorporating

There's no question that hard work and a little luck... Read More

Creating Lists to Learn About Yourself, Your Business and Your Customers

I love lists. I make them for everything. And I'm... Read More

Practical Money-Saving Tips For Small Businesses

One of the primary concerns all small businesses have is... Read More