Tommy's Express Car Wash Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$4,976,759 - $8,612,378
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Min Cash Required
$100,000
Total US Locations
216
Business Summary
Tommy's Express operates ultra-modern car washes under the brand name "Tommy's Express", offering car cleaning, waxing, polishing, and detailing services. The car washes feature a distinctive building design with an acrylic roof and unique entrance, along with innovative automated wash systems, conveyor belts, and specialized control centers designed to reduce labor needs. Tommy's Express locations also provide interior vacuum areas and sell interior detailing kits and other related products.
Corporate History
Tommy's Express LLC was formed in Michigan on September 16, 2015, building on the car wash systems experience of its affiliate, VQ, Inc. dba Tommy Car Wash Systems, which was established in 1997. Tommy's Express LLC began offering franchises in September 2016. In May 2024, Tommy Enterprises, Inc., another Michigan corporation, was formed as the parent company of Tommy's Express LLC.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$4,976,759 - $8,612,378
Franchise Fee (Low)
$30,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$50,000
Minimum Cash Required
$100,000
Royalty %
4%
Marketing %
1%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$4,666,546
Equipment Costs (High)
$7,224,878
Working Capital
$300,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Tommy's Express LLC demonstrates strong financial health with positive and increasing net income in both 2023 and 2024. The company maintains healthy working capital, with current assets exceeding current liabilities. An independent auditor has issued an unqualified opinion on its financial statements, indicating that they are presented fairly in all material respects. No concerns regarding the company's ability to continue as a going concern were noted by the auditors.
Financing Details
Tommy's Express LLC does not offer any direct or indirect financing arrangements to its franchisees. The franchisor also does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other financial obligations for its franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
216
Franchised Units
206
Corporate Units
10
Franchising Since
2016
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
3
Litigation Summary
Tommy's Express LLC has been involved in three administrative proceedings. In January 2025, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation found that Tommy's Express LLC had offered and sold unregistered franchises and failed to disclose an officer's discharged bankruptcy in four franchise applications. This resulted in a Consent Order requiring the company to cease violations and pay an $11,000 administrative penalty. In October 2023, the Securities Commissioner of Maryland found that Tommy's Express LLC had sold three unregistered franchises. This led to a Consent Order where the company agreed to comply with Maryland Franchise Law, offer rescission for the unregistered sales, and pay a $5,000 civil monetary penalty. Additionally, in May 2021, the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce issued a Consent Order against Tommy's Express LLC and its principal, Ryan Essenburg, due to allegations of franchise offers or sales occurring before the effective renewal of registration in Minnesota. The company was required to pay a $2,000 civil penalty and commit to not violating Minnesota franchise statutes in future offers or sales.
Bankruptcy History
Tommy's Express LLC has no bankruptcy information required to be disclosed in Item 4 of its Franchise Disclosure Document. This means neither the franchisor nor its key personnel have a history of bankruptcy that needs to be reported.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
20 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Tommy's Express LLC franchisees must provide written notice between six and nine months before the current term expires. They must be in good standing, current on all payments, and, if required by the franchisor, renovate or upgrade their Tommy's Business to meet current brand standards. Franchisees are also required to sign a general release of claims and execute the franchisor's then-current franchise agreement, in addition to paying a renewal fee.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Tommy's Express LLC provides comprehensive support to its franchisees. Before opening, the franchisor assists with site selection and approval, provides design and equipment packages (which include architectural drawings and construction management services from an affiliate), and furnishes lists of approved suppliers and proprietary cleaning solutions. Franchisees also receive access to the Franchise Operations Manual and mandatory initial training for up to three individuals at the corporate headquarters and an operating location. Ongoing assistance includes guidance on operations, pricing, administration, and problem-solving through various communications like correspondence, field visits, and telephone calls. The franchisor continuously updates System standards and manages a Brand Development Fund for regional and national advertising. Additional on-site training and participation in mandatory franchisee meetings are also offered, though some may incur extra fees. The franchisor also indemnifies franchisees for proper use of its proprietary marks.
Initial Training Hours
240
Training Location
Corporate headquarters in Holland, MI and at an operating Tommy's Express business
Ongoing Support
Tommy's Express LLC provides continuous operational guidance and assistance to its franchisees through periodic correspondence, field visits, and telephone communications. This support covers various topics such as product and service offerings, operational improvements, pricing strategies, and administrative procedures. The franchisor regularly issues, modifies, and supplements System standards to maintain uniformity. Franchisees contribute to and benefit from a Brand Development Fund for regional and national marketing. Additionally, Tommy's Express LLC offers optional on-site training and conducts mandatory refresher training programs, seminars, and franchisee meetings, which the Onsite Manager or a Controlling Principal must attend.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Tommy's Express LLC looks for franchisees who can either directly manage their car wash business full-time or employ a fully trained onsite manager. If the owner is not the onsite manager, a controlling principal must attend a three-day owner orientation. Candidates must demonstrate the financial capacity to make a substantial investment. The franchisor expects high standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing, and ethical conduct, and requires compliance with all laws and regulations. Franchisees or their managers must satisfactorily complete the mandatory training program.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Supervisory
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
Tommy's Express LLC grants franchisees a designated territory whose size is determined by a radius from the approved business location. The specific radius is not fixed in the FDD but is dependent on the franchisor's analysis of the geographic region. Details will be outlined in an exhibit to the Franchise Agreement.
Staffing Notes
Tommy's Express Car Wash locations must always be under the direct, on-premises supervision of an Onsite Manager who has satisfactorily completed Tommy's training program. Franchisees must maintain a competent, conscientious, trained staff, including a fully trained manager. Tommy's imposes no limitations as to who a franchisee may hire as the manager, except that the franchisee must comply with all applicable laws and must not harm the goodwill associated with the System and the Proprietary Marks. If the franchisee will not act as the manager, they must still attend an abbreviated training program and ensure the Tommy's Express location is operated according to Tommy's requirements and specifications. Tommy's has the right to approve the manager after training. The manager and other key employees may be required to sign a Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. Franchisees are solely responsible for hiring and training all employees, their employment terms, compensation, and proper training. Franchisees must ensure each employee signs Tommy's Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. For a period of three years after termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, or transfer, franchisees or transferring owners cannot recruit, solicit, or hire any person who is, or was within the previous six months, employed by Tommy's Express or another franchisee without prior written consent. For Tommy's Express employees, consent is at Tommy's sole discretion and contingent on payment equal to six to thirty-six months of the employee's wages. If the franchisee is a multi-unit developer, Tommy's may require them to employ an area manager to supervise all Tommy's Express locations, in addition to individual managers for each location.