Four operators, six new builds, and a wave of conversions put the express car wash brand on track for 30 state locations by 2028.
Tommy's Express opened its ninth Wisconsin car wash, in Portage, and lined up six more builds along with a set of conversions. Four franchise groups now develop the brand in the state, with a path to 30 locations by 2028. The model leans on experienced multi-unit operators rather than first-time owners.
One Portage partner belongs to S&L Companies, which runs more than 130 Culver's restaurants. Operators at that scale bring capital, real estate knowledge, and crews who can open on schedule, which is exactly what a capital-heavy tunnel-wash model needs. A single wash costs millions to build, so the franchisor lowers its risk by signing groups that have already financed and run large portfolios.
The brand plans to convert four operating Rocket Wash tunnels in Racine, Mount Pleasant, Kenosha, and on Highway 50 into Tommy's Express units in the third quarter. Converting a running car wash skips permitting and construction, the longest parts of a build, and turns on revenue sooner. For an operator, a conversion can reach cash flow well ahead of ground-up development.
Moving from nine units to 30 in roughly two years is an aggressive ramp for a format that depends on high-traffic real estate and recurring membership revenue. The figure operators should watch is membership capture per site, because tunnel-wash economics live on subscription volume, not single washes. The conversions will be the first read on whether existing wash customers carry over.
The Real DealMarti Realty Group joins Keller Williams' network, bringing two proprietary tech platforms built for new-construction buyers to franchise agents nationwide.
The Auto WireThe Houston dealer group acquired McLaren and Rolls-Royce stores in Charlotte, entering a franchise tier where points rarely change hands.
1851 FranchiseThe arts-integrated preschool franchise signed its 100th agreement this quarter, expanding to 11 states as demand for early education grows.
Woodhouse SpaThe day spa franchise is folding medical aesthetic treatments into its 90-plus locations, giving franchisees a new revenue line inside their existing footprint.
Revscale Media (illustration)The consolidator's acquisition of the 70-year-old, family-run landscaping firm extends its footprint into the high-end Scottsdale and Paradise Valley markets.
HTeaOCrux Capital and Trive Capital elevated their stake to majority ownership, then installed a longtime Freddy's operator to run HTeaO's next growth phase.
