Should I buy a car wash franchise or an independent car wash?

The general buying advice for a car wash applies to both, and you will find it in the guide to buying a car wash. This page covers the part that differs. With a franchise, some decisions have already been made by someone else. With an independent, every one of them is yours, and so is every mistake.

What the brand controls

A franchisor may set equipment standards, require a particular membership program, specify signage and expect renovations on a schedule. Ask the seller for the franchise agreement and ask what the franchisor will require of you as the new owner. Your lawyer can explain the terms that apply to a resale.

What the independent owner keeps

An independent chooses its own equipment, pricing, wash packages and promotions. It can change course without asking permission. It also has no network behind it, so check the memberships, supplier arrangements and equipment condition yourself. The page on car wash memberships explains what happens to those on a sale.

Questions for either seller

Ask how old the equipment is and what it will cost to keep it running. Ask whether the site is owned or leased and what the lease allows. Ask for several years of statements and have your accountant read them. Whether a purchase suits you is a decision for you and your advisers. Nobody can promise it. Take your time, and ask for answers in writing where you can, so you can compare the two sellers side by side later.