Opening a car wash appears to be an excellent business idea, as the sector has seen a 94% increase over the last 15 years, with periods of accelerated growth between 2019 and 2023. Would you like to take advantage of this growth by opening a car wash? Piowo will guide you through the process of bringing your project to fruition.
Key points
- Any adult can open a car wash without needing a specific qualification.
- Opening a car wash involves complying with very strict standards and laws, particularly environmental ones.
- The budget for launching a car wash ranges from $50,000 to $175,000.
- In addition to choosing the location, defining the concept of your car wash is an important step in the success of your project.
Who can open a car wash?
Anyone over the age of 18 can open a car wash, whether they are a novice entrepreneur or an experienced professional.
No specific qualifications are required, but certain training courses are strongly recommended to maximise your chances of success.
Training in health and safety or equipment maintenance is also relevant.
Finally, you can take specialised modules on car wash management offered by professional organisations or equipment manufacturers, such as Kärcher or OKI.
What are the options for opening an automatic car wash?
As with many businesses, there are several choices available to you when opening your automatic car wash:
- launch an independent car wash;
- open a franchise car wash;
- take over an existing car wash.
Launch an independent car wash
Creating your own independent car wash gives you complete freedom in choosing the concept, location and equipment.
You define your own offering (gantry, high pressure, vacuum cleaners, etc.) and your pricing policy.
This option requires thorough market research and a good understanding of regulatory requirements.
In addition, opening your own car wash requires a significant initial investment, as you will need to finance the purchase of the land, the installation of equipment and the commercial launch.
Independence is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to develop a strong identity and freely adapt to local needs.
Opening a car wash franchise
Opting for a franchise means you can benefit from a tried-and-tested concept, a well-known brand and support throughout the entire project.
Franchising also facilitates access to financing and secures the investment thanks to a validated business model.
In return, franchisees must comply with precise specifications and pay entry fees and royalties.
This option is ideal for entrepreneurs seeking security and support for their car wash start-up project.
Buying an existing car wash
Taking over an existing car wash can be an attractive option if you want to get started quickly with an established customer base.
The purchase often includes the equipment, premises, and even staff.
Before taking the plunge, it is crucial to analyse the following:
- the profitability of the site;
- the condition of the equipment, to avoid costly compliance issues;
- the quality of the location.
While this solution reduces some of the risks associated with launching a new business, it requires a rigorous audit and careful negotiation of the price on the part of the future operator.
Buying an existing car wash is ideal for those who want to establish themselves quickly in the market while minimising the uncertainty that comes with setting up a new one.
Which concept should you choose for your car wash?
Defining what your car wash offers and how it is positioned is an important step in ensuring the success of your project. Here’s a closer look at the main concepts:
- Self-service car wash:
- Eco-friendly car wash;
- Heavy goods vehicle car wash.
How do you open a car wash?
To successfully open an automatic car wash, you need to complete the following six steps.
- Define your concept.
- Conduct market research.
- Prepare a business plan.
- Find the ideal location.
- Choose your legal status.
- Create your car wash business!
- Define your concept.
First, define the concept for your car wash, taking into account local demand, market trends and your budget.
As well as traditional models (self-service, eco-friendly or for heavy goods vehicles), you can choose innovative concepts.
For example, a mobile car wash. This option is ideal for urban areas.
Another option is to offer a premium service including additional features such as interior cleaning, headlight restoration and anti-scratch treatment.
You could also consider a multi-service space combining car washing, fuel distribution and a shop. This is the model favoured by the main player in the sector: TotalEnergies.
Such an approach must consider the customer experience, the technical nature of the equipment and regulatory and environmental constraints.
A well-targeted concept enables you to stand out in a competitive market and optimise business profitability from the outset.
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Last modified: July 14, 2025
