| |  | FLEX SERVICE / EXTERIOR ONLY Many full service car washes are faced with small to mid-volume washing and many new challenges facing the full service sector of the car washing industry. Some of them have converted to Exterior Only or Flex Service. A good amount of car washes being built from the ground up will be offering Exterior Only or Flex Service in place of Full Service.
There are many advantages of operating with Exterior or Flex Service, which are passed on to the consumer, customer and the business.
Most of Harvey Miller’s Car Washes were Full Service, the last one was converted from Full Service to Flex Service. Miller is now developing, from the ground up, an Exterior Only facility. The following are some of the pluses that we have found with a Flex Service Operation: | | • | May offer 2 types of washing services – Express Exterior Wash or Full Service
| | • | Customer drives into wash tunnel and remains in their vehicle, regardless of service
| | • | If Exterior Only was purchased, customer has option to vacuum their own vehicle or simply drive off property in less than 10 minutes.
| | • | If Full Service was purchased, customer exits tunnel and drives to designated area for interior cleaning and drives off property in less than 20 minutes
| | • | This washing process eliminates a majority of a Full Service labor force
| | • | Business can remain open longer hours and on inclement weather days due to small labor force
| | • | Customers now have these choices: time of service, price, type of service, extended hours and convenience. Customer may purchase a Full Service wash, only when it’s required, avoid waiting in long lines and being delayed at the Car Wash.
| | • | This type of operation is much easier to manage, should not require an expensive manager such as a Full Service Operation
| | | The following are some advantages and pluses for Exterior Only Washing: | | • | Less property size and lower property cost
| | • | Demographics – lower requirements
| | • | Competition – can compete with almost any type of car wash
| | • | May develop in communities where Full Service wouldn’t be desirable
| | • | Site plan simpler. Should be easier to satisfy City Planning Department
| | • | Parking requirements – far less – requiring only 3-5 spaces
| | • | Labor - requires 3 employees. May hand pick.
| | • | Rising cost of labor will not impact this type of operation as it would Full Service or Flex Service
| | • | Expensive Manger not required. Manager or Supervisor can be one of the employees.
| | • | Investment and building cost lower. Remain open regardless of weather with longer hours.
| | • | No care and custody of vehicles – no theft of valuables - lower insurance rates
| | • | Appeal to broader market who desires price, convenience and Express Services
| | • | A simpler menu
| | • | Should obtain higher volume than Full Service or Flex Service
| | We can assist with the conversion of Full Service to one of the above services or work with you on building from the ground up utilizing one of these services. We have had hands-on experience.
We provide any services, including total marketing regarding the above concepts or any other type of car washing on a daily or hourly rate.
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