Car wash franchise featuring high-speed, express car wash facilities with advanced technology and a focus on speed, convenience, and quality.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
206
+
67%
67%
Franchise fee
?
$50,000
Investment
?
$4,977,000 - $8,522,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$1,567,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
Upgrade
Founded in 1969 in Holland, Michigan, Tommy's Express Car Wash has grown from a single location into a leading national franchise. The company began franchising in 2016, rapidly expanding its footprint across the United States and internationally.
Specializing in high-efficiency, automated car wash services, Tommy's Express offers a range of wash packages designed to cater to diverse customer needs.
What sets Tommy's Express apart is its commitment to innovation and customer convenience. The company utilizes proprietary technology, including app-based memberships and license plate recognition systems, to streamline the customer experience.
Their iconic building design, featuring a clear acrylic roof for daylight harvesting, not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also underscores their dedication to environmental sustainability.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Tommy's Express franchise is
$4,977,000 - $8,522,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Tommy’s Express offers 3 types of franchises:
Tommy Scope of Work
Initial Investment Range
90-foot Tommy Scope of Work
$5,205,184 to $6,786,542
110-foot Tommy Scope of Work
$4,976,759 to $7,930,608
130 foot Tommy Scope of Work
$5,096,490 to $8,522,378
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a 90-foot Tommy Scope of Work franchise. For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fees
$50,000 – $50,000
Soft Cost Total
$107,563 – $582,000
Total Construction Costs
$2,056,978 – $3,930,750
Architectural Services
$43,500 – $45,600
Building Structure
$803,411 – $853,190
Building Components
$176,787 – $200,299
Lighting
$65,734 – $67,257
Signage
$116,542 – $117,480
Conveyor
$197,312 – $252,659
Car Wash Equipment
$218,505 – $257,130
Cloth
$27,517 – $27,517
Drying System
$150,564 – $157,236
Support Equipment
$273,184 – $297,312
Guardian Wash Controls
$140,301 – $201,568
Vacuum System
$173,605 – $387,811
Point of Sale System
$72,090 – $89,500
Accessories
$67,616 – $132,157
Tommy's Express Kit
$38,163 – $39,318
Install
$164,468 – $168,094
TCWS Scope of Work Total (130 foot)
$2,729,299 – $3,294,128
Insurance
$6,500 – $78,000
Business Permits & Licenses
$350 – $5,500
Office Equipment and Supplies
$800 – $10,000
Furniture and Fixtures
$2,500 – $17,000
Training Expenses
$17,500 – $20,000
Grand Opening Marketing
$15,000 – $15,000
Grand Opening Mailer
$10,000 – $20,000
Additional Funds
$100,000 – $500,000
Other Costs Total
$152,650 – $665,500
Total Costs
$5,096,490 – $8,522,378
Create a free account to access this table and more. For more information see our plans here.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Tommy’s Express offers 3 types of franchises:
Tommy Scope of Work
Initial Investment Range
90-foot Tommy Scope of Work
$5,205,184 to $6,786,542
110-foot Tommy Scope of Work
$4,976,759 to $7,930,608
130 foot Tommy Scope of Work
$5,096,490 to $8,522,378
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a 90-foot Tommy Scope of Work franchise. For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fees
$50,000 – $50,000
Soft Cost Total
$107,563 – $582,000
Total Construction Costs
$2,056,978 – $3,930,750
Architectural Services
$43,500 – $45,600
Building Structure
$803,411 – $853,190
Building Components
$176,787 – $200,299
Lighting
$65,734 – $67,257
Signage
$116,542 – $117,480
Conveyor
$197,312 – $252,659
Car Wash Equipment
$218,505 – $257,130
Cloth
$27,517 – $27,517
Drying System
$150,564 – $157,236
Support Equipment
$273,184 – $297,312
Guardian Wash Controls
$140,301 – $201,568
Vacuum System
$173,605 – $387,811
Point of Sale System
$72,090 – $89,500
Accessories
$67,616 – $132,157
Tommy's Express Kit
$38,163 – $39,318
Install
$164,468 – $168,094
TCWS Scope of Work Total (130 foot)
$2,729,299 – $3,294,128
Insurance
$6,500 – $78,000
Business Permits & Licenses
$350 – $5,500
Office Equipment and Supplies
$800 – $10,000
Furniture and Fixtures
$2,500 – $17,000
Training Expenses
$17,500 – $20,000
Grand Opening Marketing
$15,000 – $15,000
Grand Opening Mailer
$10,000 – $20,000
Additional Funds
$100,000 – $500,000
Other Costs Total
$152,650 – $665,500
Total Costs
$5,096,490 – $8,522,378
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Tommy's Express's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Tommy's Express had 216 total units in 2025, of which 206 were franchised-owned and 10 company-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the royalty fee?
The royalty fee for a Tommy's Express franchise is 4.00%. In addition, you would have to pay the advertising (or national brand fund) fee of 3.00%.
What is the total investment?
The initial investment required for a Tommy's Express franchise is $4,977,000 - $8,522,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
What is the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for a Tommy's Express franchise is $50,000. This is typically paid upfront as part of the total initial investment, after signature of the Franchise Agreeement.
The franchisor provides several types of training to franchisees, which include:
Initial Training Program: This involves approximately 20 days of training at the franchisor's headquarters in Holland, Michigan, and at an operating Tommy’s Express business or an affiliate-owned car wash. The training topics cover various operational aspects, including equipment maintenance and repair, car wash operations, management, marketing, and pre-and post-opening support. Trainees are expected to cover all related expenses.
On-the-Job and Classroom Training: Specific training programs are tailored to include hours of both classroom instruction and hands-on job training in key operational areas such as equipment maintenance, car wash operations, and management.
Mandatory Training Sessions: Franchisees, along with their Onsite Manager and/or employees, may be required to attend mandatory training sessions at specified locations, including their own site, another franchise location, or the headquarters.
Territory Protection
The franchisor provides a designated territory for each franchisee, the size of which is determined based on geographic analysis. However, this does not guarantee exclusivity, as franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, franchisor-owned outlets, or other distribution channels operated by the franchisor.
The territory specifics are included in an exhibit to the Franchise Agreement.
While the franchisor defines a territory, it reserves the right to approve new locations for additional franchisees or outlets within the same region. Franchisees are only authorized to operate their business from the approved location and are restricted from providing services elsewhere.