Greg Pack
Wash Weenie
I know an operator in the Florida panhandle who schedules one employee if he anticipates less than 40 cars per hour. he does have an overlap at shift change for cleanup, etc.
In Bay vs Express exterior/Mini Tunnel
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Earl Weiss
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FWIW at 3 of the 4 locations we rarely operate with more than 2 at a time. We don't have auto tellers. The guide on man is typicaly the cashier. On busy days the other person, collects and marks the windshield with soap so there is no lag at the guide on area.
At the 4th we have gas and a c-store so there is typicaly more on site.
FWIW at 3 of the 4 locations we rarely operate with more than 2 at a time. We don't have auto tellers. The guide on man is typically the cashier. On busy days the other person, collects and marks the windshield with soap so there is no lag at the guide on area.
At the 4th we have gas and a c-store so there is typically more on site.
I think the issue with the wash I described was that the site prohibited him from using less people. In reality, two employees that I listed were there for traffic control. I could see using two employees during busy times and getting away with it as long as the site had a good traffic flow plan and nothing took them away from their job like an equipment issue or customer problem that took some time to resolve.
In our area where land can really get costly I see some operators squeezing an express on a piece of property that would have a hard time with and IBA. There have also been some full service conversions that turned out badly due to site restrictions.
At the 4th we have gas and a c-store so there is typically more on site.
I think the issue with the wash I described was that the site prohibited him from using less people. In reality, two employees that I listed were there for traffic control. I could see using two employees during busy times and getting away with it as long as the site had a good traffic flow plan and nothing took them away from their job like an equipment issue or customer problem that took some time to resolve.
In our area where land can really get costly I see some operators squeezing an express on a piece of property that would have a hard time with and IBA. There have also been some full service conversions that turned out badly due to site restrictions.
robert roman
Bob Roman
Why would someone design a carwash in such a manner that additional labor would be needed to make it operate acceptably?
The 30 car hour mini-tunnel I mentioned is truly an unattended site. The gas and c-store are independently owned and operated.
As for longer mini-tunnels, say, 50’ or 60’ long building that are designed for a 45 or 50 car peak hour, I would consider an attendant for a number of reasons.
My best hour ever was 92. This was full-service, vacuum at starting line, then lock and load. The conveyor was 100’, don’t miss a roller. On the busiest of days during the peak season, we had long waiting lines, meaning we could have washed more cars an hour. We could have with “one person” if we had the benefit of stay-in-the-car, automated point-of-sale with smart technology, entrance gates, self-loading conveyor systems, signage and a high performance carwash system.
As for having more people around to towel dry, hand prep or whatever as a way of making some additional income, this strategy doesn’t seem consistent with the express business model; low-price, free vacuums and more automation.
Don’t believe that all this stuff isn’t important to the customer.
My wife occasionally visits one of the very few express washes in our county, nearly one million people. She complains every time.
The place can be hard to get in and out of. The vacuums are located before the entrance gates. There are not enough vacuums and the parking spaces are really tight. A truly low-priced wash is available during very limited hours of operation. Otherwise, a basic wash is $5.00. Quality is ok but really acceptable “clean and dry” means buying the top package. They towel dry, nice touch, but my wife doesn’t believe it is really necessary, nor do I, and that the guys are just “working” tips.
My wife finds the place increasingly hard to like. I don’t go there anymore because it’s a hassle, you can’t get any services and it is expensive to get quality.
The 30 car hour mini-tunnel I mentioned is truly an unattended site. The gas and c-store are independently owned and operated.
As for longer mini-tunnels, say, 50’ or 60’ long building that are designed for a 45 or 50 car peak hour, I would consider an attendant for a number of reasons.
My best hour ever was 92. This was full-service, vacuum at starting line, then lock and load. The conveyor was 100’, don’t miss a roller. On the busiest of days during the peak season, we had long waiting lines, meaning we could have washed more cars an hour. We could have with “one person” if we had the benefit of stay-in-the-car, automated point-of-sale with smart technology, entrance gates, self-loading conveyor systems, signage and a high performance carwash system.
As for having more people around to towel dry, hand prep or whatever as a way of making some additional income, this strategy doesn’t seem consistent with the express business model; low-price, free vacuums and more automation.
Don’t believe that all this stuff isn’t important to the customer.
My wife occasionally visits one of the very few express washes in our county, nearly one million people. She complains every time.
The place can be hard to get in and out of. The vacuums are located before the entrance gates. There are not enough vacuums and the parking spaces are really tight. A truly low-priced wash is available during very limited hours of operation. Otherwise, a basic wash is $5.00. Quality is ok but really acceptable “clean and dry” means buying the top package. They towel dry, nice touch, but my wife doesn’t believe it is really necessary, nor do I, and that the guys are just “working” tips.
My wife finds the place increasingly hard to like. I don’t go there anymore because it’s a hassle, you can’t get any services and it is expensive to get quality.
Waxman
Super Moderator
How long is the mini tunnel that puts out 30 cph?
"Why would someone design a carwash in such a manner that additional labor would be needed to make it operate acceptably?"
I agree but in our area there are more than a few that have done it that way. They are built on under sized lots and often have lousy access and egress. I don't know if it is aggressive sales by distributors or lack of due diligence by the owners or a combination of both. Most of them have really struggled and several have changed hands not too long after opening. On the other hand some have been built on spacious lots in bad locations that struggle even more.
I guess the saying that history doesn't repeat itself - men just keep making the same mistakes over and over - rings true here.
I agree but in our area there are more than a few that have done it that way. They are built on under sized lots and often have lousy access and egress. I don't know if it is aggressive sales by distributors or lack of due diligence by the owners or a combination of both. Most of them have really struggled and several have changed hands not too long after opening. On the other hand some have been built on spacious lots in bad locations that struggle even more.
I guess the saying that history doesn't repeat itself - men just keep making the same mistakes over and over - rings true here.
Earl Weiss
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That guy is very fortuneate to be located where he only attracts Rhodes Scholars. Must be at the "Harvard Yard".
Robert, would you be able to share the equipment your friend uses for the mini tunnel? What OEM? Thank you!
Greg Pack
Wash Weenie
Dayead, do you realize this is a nine year old thread?
As far as tunnel equipment, its safe to look at the big players. Sonny's and McNeil would be the first lines I would look at.
As far as tunnel equipment, its safe to look at the big players. Sonny's and McNeil would be the first lines I would look at.
OurTown
Well-known member
You won't get a response from Robert because he is no longer on this forum. I think he was booted.
OurTown
Well-known member
That's not what I heard and came from a pretty good source.
MEP001
Well-known member
You're probably right, I didn't realize that his profile and info is all removed. Usually a banned name will no longer even show as a link. In any case, many of the threads in which he involved himself degraded to name-calling.
carwashireland
Active member
That is a shame on Robert. Despite his regular outbursts he sometimes had great advice with a unique way of looking at things.
I don't recall him being booted - I think he took his ball and went home. IB can correct me if my memory's faulty.
I.B. Washincars
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I didn't boot him.
soonermajic
Well-known member
Bump....thoughts or advice?
soonermajic
Well-known member
This is a really good thread
