Family Carwash Profile: Hoffman Car Wash

(From left) The Hoffmans: Tom Jr., Carole, Tom Sr. and Carrie.

Answers submitted by Tom Hoffman Jr.

Headquarters: Albany, N.Y.
Year Founded: 1965
Founders: Tom Hoffman Sr. and Carole Hoffman
Number of Locations Then: One self-serve location
Number of Locations Now: 18
Carwash Services Offered: Full service, flex service, exteriors, in-bay automatics, and self service
Add-on Profit Centers: Full-service locations have detail shops, and eight locations have Jiffy Lubes on-site. Hoffman is a Jiffy Lube franchisee.
Number of Family Members Currently Working for Your Organization: Six

Why carwashing? How did your family get started in the carwash business?
My father was a professional bowler and ran the pro shop at my grandfather’s bowling alley. He wasn’t thrilled with the bowling business, and an in-bay automatic equipment salesman approached him with this “new” idea. He and my grandfather decided to build their first location next to the bowling alley. A few months later the bowling alley was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. My grandfather decided not to rebuild and retired from the bowling business. He also handed over his interest in the carwash to my father.

Since your family has been in the carwash industry, what are the three most significant developments that have helped the success of your business?
Hiring great people is definitely number one. The trade shows we attend have been a tremendous resource. Idea sharing with other carwash operators and trade show presentations have been great. Technology improvements have helped us deliver a better experience to our customers.

What is the biggest challenge facing carwash operators today?
The rising costs of operating our business will be the biggest challenge. Everything we buy seems to be going up in price, and we need to find ways to reduce our costs while maintaining the level of service our customers have come to expect from us.

Please discuss the impact that the carwash business has had on your family or the significance of having family contribute to the success of your carwash business.
This business has been great. It has provided opportunities for family and non-family members to learn and grow in the business world.

Timeline

1960s

• 1965, first self-service location opens.
• 1968, first exterior location opens.

1970s

• Opens four more exterior locations.
• Opens two more self-service locations.
• Opens first full-service location.

1980s

• Opens three more exterior locations.
• Opens three more self-service locations.

1990s

• Opens another full-service location.
• Purchases seven Jiffy Lube oil-change locations and adds two more locations to carwash operations.
• Adds in-bay automatic equipment to existing locations.

2000s

• Adds five more Jiffy Lube locations to carwash facilities.
• Opens two new in-bay automatic locations.
• Opens two exterior locations.

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