What's new

New income streams

GP85

New member
Joined
May 21, 2023
Messages
23
Reaction score
6
Points
3
Greetings all,

I wanted to see what everyone has been adding to their washes other than vending car care products?

We have spoken about a Dog wash or water/ice machine.

What has everyone found to be the most profitable?

Thanks
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,946
Points
113
Location
Texas
I know one operator who has done both a dog wash bay and ice/water machines. He says he makes more from each of those than he does from each bay, but his SS is seriously underperforming.
 

Waxman

Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,045
Reaction score
1,684
Points
113
Location
Orange, MA
I have a mat brusher and an air machine that are ok but not huge revenue generators. It's not for everyone, but I also offer detailing services and sell used cars.
 

vguard296

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2022
Messages
36
Reaction score
18
Points
8
Location
Maryland
We removed an old IBA last month at one of our sites and the economics and demand are tough for us to justify replacing it or converting it back to a SS. We've done pet washes before and its a constant clean up, worse than mud. Learned our lesson renting out a bay to a detailer before.

I figured out we could run a snow cone stand out of this now empty bay and be all in for less than $10k. Part of the madness is that I've watched people spend close to double when they have their kids, and the snowcone stand in our town where we live clears several hundred dollars an hour. Basically leverage the power of children to make the wash a destination. Non traditional idea, but worth a shot.
 

Rfreeman

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2014
Messages
761
Reaction score
439
Points
63
Location
Ft. Worth
We removed an old IBA last month at one of our sites and the economics and demand are tough for us to justify replacing it or converting it back to a SS. We've done pet washes before and its a constant clean up, worse than mud. Learned our lesson renting out a bay to a detailer before.

I figured out we could run a snow cone stand out of this now empty bay and be all in for less than $10k. Part of the madness is that I've watched people spend close to double when they have their kids, and the snowcone stand in our town where we live clears several hundred dollars an hour. Basically leverage the power of children to make the wash a destination. Non traditional idea, but worth a shot.

We have a snow cone stand on one of our properties. It was built when the wash was built so it has a walk up window and drive thru. I lease it out to a guy who has two other snow cone stands in the area and he is very pleased with it. I know they can make money I just don't have time to hire teenagers or someone else to run it for me....I don't want that headache. I will say this about having one on a car wash property the snow cones make an extra mess. In the trash cans or around the property we have to power wash the vac area more to clean up the syrup spilled. Also the syrup does attract bees to the cans a lot more than your typical soda can does.
 

Overachiever

Active member
Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Messages
343
Reaction score
92
Points
28
Location
IL
I added a drive up ATM last year, it's averaging around 600 cars per month now where they were actually charged a fee and withdrew money, a lot of other people who get declined based on all the receipts I sweep up.
 

soapy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2007
Messages
2,894
Reaction score
855
Points
113
Location
Rocky Mountains
I built a tire shine machine that worked well but ended up with a mess around the area it was installed and eventually drew in the ricer car crowd. They would meet at the wash to shine their tires but stay for hours not spending any other money. I think it intimidated the regular customers so I took it out.
 

vguard296

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2022
Messages
36
Reaction score
18
Points
8
Location
Maryland
We have a snow cone stand on one of our properties. It was built when the wash was built so it has a walk up window and drive thru. I lease it out to a guy who has two other snow cone stands in the area and he is very pleased with it. I know they can make money I just don't have time to hire teenagers or someone else to run it for me....I don't want that headache. I will say this about having one on a car wash property the snow cones make an extra mess. In the trash cans or around the property we have to power wash the vac area more to clean up the syrup spilled. Also the syrup does attract bees to the cans a lot more than your typical soda can does.
Any chance you can DM or post some pictures of what it looks like? I've got some ideas in my head but would love to see a real life example
 

Rfreeman

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2014
Messages
761
Reaction score
439
Points
63
Location
Ft. Worth
Any chance you can DM or post some pictures of what it looks like? I've got some ideas in my head but would love to see a real life example

Here are a few I had on my cell
 

Attachments

Mattwash

Member
Joined
May 25, 2023
Messages
94
Reaction score
55
Points
18
Location
Dickinson, TX
Greetings all,

I wanted to see what everyone has been adding to their washes other than vending car care products?

We have spoken about a Dog wash or water/ice machine.

What has everyone found to be the most profitable?

Thanks
If you do ice machine, be careful purchasing from the vendor who is big on youtube.
 

sjb

Active member
Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
169
Reaction score
174
Points
43
Location
Atlanta GA
A year ago we added 2 dog washes to our 8 Bay SS… now in our 26th year!

The wash is located in a Intown pet friendly neighborhood, where most of the SS washes have been converted to condo’s and coffee shops… so not a lot of competition…

We have done 260+ dog washes in the last 30 days and growing daily….

Yes, they do need to be touched and cleaned daily, but as you know, it’s all part of car washing game!

Here is a shameless self promotion @DogWashAtlanta
 

Attachments

SudsnShine115

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2020
Messages
69
Reaction score
13
Points
8
We have added an Ice Vending machine, and an air compressor stand for filling tires. The compressor is brand new so its still gaining traction. Mainly put it in so now offer everything the closest gas station offers on the car washing side. The ice machine does great in the summer, but super slow in the winter months in NC. We didn't get it live until April last year, and to avoid needing permits, its not a viewable from the street as we would want.
 
Top