Is a Gas Station Car Wash a Good Investment?

If you already own a gas station, you may be looking to expand your offerings to attract more customers. One viable option is to add on a gas station car wash. On the other hand, if you are looking to go into business for yourself, you may be trying to decide whether opening a car wash business or a gas station car wash business is better.

What Is a Gas Station Car Wash?

A gas station car wash business model is where customers can fill up their vehicles and get their cars washed at the same location. There are several variations to the basic business model, including:

• Gas Station Convenience Stores with Car Washes
• Gas Station Automotive Repair Shops with Car Washes
• Gas Station Quick Oil Change Shops with Car Washes

Are Gas Stations Profitable?

Gas stations that only sell gas are not very profitable. Fuel prices constantly fluctuate and impact net earnings. Usually, gas station owners only earn a cent or two for every gallon of gas they sell. Sometimes, they lose money when they pay more for gas and fuel prices drop.

Are Car Washes a Good Investment?

Car washes are a good investment because everyone needs to wash their cars. However, owning a car wash business does not mean the business will always be profitable. Not that many people will get their car washed when it is raining or snowing. So, when there is inclement weather, business will be down.

The Solution: Provide Optimal Convenience

Offering customers the opportunity to fill up their tanks and get their cars washed is a great solution to ensure profitability. You will want to supplement this further by including a c-store (convenience) store in your gas station car wash business model.

C-stores provide easy access to essential items people need like soft drinks, milk, snacks, automotive supplies, etc. Business models that include a gas station with a c-store and a car wash offer optimal convenience. Not to mention, there are profits to be made from all the items c-stores sell.

Why Not Just Open a Car Wash Business?

While car wash businesses can be profitable, it is your only source of income so you will need to find a high-traffic area to set up your business.

 Otherwise, you will not do so well in attracting sufficient customers to your location.
However, gas stations with c-stores already attract a high volume of customer traffic. You will not have to do much to entice customers to get their vehicles washed when they visit your location.

When customers see that they can get their cars washed at the same location where they get gas, buy their lottery tickets, and pick up milk, bread, snacks, and other items, chances are they will also get their car washed.

Additionally, there are numerous benefits of operating a gas station with a c-store and car wash, including:

• Helps People Save Time
• One-Stop Shopping Convenience
• Cross-Sell Between Target Markets
• Steady Flow of Regular Customers
• Provides Essential Services and Items People Need

Car Wash Parts and Accessories at Wholesale Prices

In summary, a gas station car wash that also has a convenience store is a good investment. It provides several opportunities to earn a profit from your car wash sales, as well as various car wash accessories, automotive supplies, snacks, beverages, and other items you sell in your c-store.

To find car wash parts and accessories and automotive supplies at wholesale prices, please feel free to shop online at Superior Car Wash Supply today! Do not hesitate to contact us at 800-554-9274 if you have any questions or need further assistance.