Tommy's Express Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)
Car wash franchise featuring high-speed, express car wash facilities with advanced technology and a focus on speed, convenience, and quality.
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
Here's what you would need to invest 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 |
|---|
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
Number of units
Training
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.
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