CAR WASH MODEL BUSINESS PLAN

NEW VENTURE….. Why have you chosen this business? What do you need to know? Working through a template will bring you the information you need to decide if the business can be successful – and how to make it successful

KNOW THE INDUSTRY What are the strengths and weaknesses of the car wash industry What are the strengths and weaknesses of the car wash industry What factors are affecting it at this time What factors are affecting it at this time Where are the markets Where are the markets

How many competitors are there How many competitors are there How much will it cost, where will the funds come from, what are the financial dangers How much will it cost, where will the funds come from, what are the financial dangers What staff will you need What staff will you need

WHAT KIND OF CAR WASH Decide on the car wash concept that suits you and the funds available… Decide on the car wash concept that suits you and the funds available… Stand alone manual and automatic Stand alone manual and automatic Hand wash – maybe franchise Hand wash – maybe franchise High tech facility with all the latest equipment and services High tech facility with all the latest equipment and services Add-ons like dog wash, detailing Add-ons like dog wash, detailing

THE TARGET MARKETS the location choice the location choice the target customers the target customers the growth potential the growth potential

THE MARKETING PLAN how do you bring customers to the car wash how do you bring customers to the car wash how do you ensure that they come back again – a regular habit how do you ensure that they come back again – a regular habit how do you increase the “spend” how do you increase the “spend” how do you attract more customers how do you attract more customers

OPERATIONS Having decided on what you want to do, more detail is needed… what equipment will you start with what equipment will you start with what chemicals will you use what chemicals will you use what staffing and management structure what staffing and management structure

FINANCIALS The sticky bit, nothing must be left to chance find a similar financial model to yours find a similar financial model to yours knowing your site & your target markets, adjust the budget income and expenses knowing your site & your target markets, adjust the budget income and expenses list all the capital expenses, however small – signage, planning permits, plants list all the capital expenses, however small – signage, planning permits, plants

THE CAPITAL RISK how much money will you borrow how much money will you borrow how much will you invest of your own how much will you invest of your own what will happen if you don’t reach your budgeted income levels, what adjustments can be made what will happen if you don’t reach your budgeted income levels, what adjustments can be made what are the exits costs – the worst-case scenario what are the exits costs – the worst-case scenario

CONFIDENCE it takes time to complete a business plan but it will give you the answers you need it will give you the answers you need you have faced up to what might happen if its not as good as you hoped you have faced up to what might happen if its not as good as you hoped you have a model to work with you have a model to work with it gives you confidence to make decisions it gives you confidence to make decisions it gives lenders confidence to lend to you it gives lenders confidence to lend to you

ANOTHER ACWA BENEFIT a detailed business plan covering all these topics has been developed for ACWA members and for equipment suppliers to give to potential new car wash investors a detailed business plan covering all these topics has been developed for ACWA members and for equipment suppliers to give to potential new car wash investors it will be available for sale from ACWA in October it will be available for sale from ACWA in October