BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Professional Carwashing & Detailing (PC&D) magazine’s Professional Carwashing Industry Report found that carwash operators are optimistic about the future of their businesses with year-over-year car counts and revenue on the uptick.

According to 28 percent of survey respondents, car count was “much greater” in 2015 than in 2014, with another 44 percent indicating annual car count was “greater” in 2015 than the previous year. Year-over-year revenue comparisons showed virtually the same trend, with 28 percent of carwash operators indicating revenue was “much greater” in 2015 versus 2014 and 46 percent reporting total revenue was “greater” in 2015 than in 2014.

Most carwash operators are also upbeat about the trajectory of their businesses for 2016, with 66 percent predicting 2016 total revenue will increase year-over-year compared to 2015. Twenty-seven percent felt 2016 total revenue would “stay about the same,” and only seven percent predicted their total revenue would decrease in 2016 versus 2015.

Other key performance indicators highlighted in PC&D’s Professional Carwashing Industry Report include:

• Twenty-seven percent of carwash operators say they plan to launch or purchase another carwash location within the next 12 months.
• Thirty-five percent of carwash operators reported they are on the fence (“maybe”) regarding expanding their business with an additional unit over the next year.
• Conveyor carwash operators seem to be slightly more aggressive with their expansion goals, with 72 percent responding “yes” or “maybe” to the question of whether they plan to launch or purchase another carwash within the next 12 months. By contrast, only about half (51 percent) of IBA and self-serve carwash operators either plan to or are considering adding another carwash location to their businesses over the same timeframe.
• Operators were asked to rank the importance of major concerns or issues faced by their carwash business. Personnel issues (“hiring/retaining good employees”) are considered the highest priority, while “the weather” ranks a close second among carwash operator concerns. “Equipment issues” are the third-most important concern according to carwash operators, with “utility fees” and the “overall U.S. economy” rounding out the top five priority business concerns for carwashes.

The Professional Carwashing Industry Report (published 05/01/2017, 23 pages) is available for $249.99 from Professional Carwashing & Detailing magazine. For more information and to purchase the survey, visit https://www.carwash.com/industryreport.