Anecdotal evidence has suggested for months that the carwash industry was seeing a rise in flex-serve carwashes, based in part on several conversion projects turning full-service locations into flex-serve operations. Sales figures released by Sonny’s Enterprises this week give statistical credence to the notion that full-service carwash operators are doing more than giving the flex-serve model a passing glance.
In a 24-month comparison of carwash tunnel placements, Sonny’s data indicate a significant shift toward flex-service carwash development using Sonny’s equipment. The flex-serve model typically combines an express-exterior carwash with express-detailing services on a single property.
“There is no doubt that the express-exterior carwash model continues to dominate the market for new construction,” Paul Fazio, Sonny’s president, said in a press release. “In 2009, express-exteriors made up 75 percent of all new tunnel systems shipped by Sonny’s. But the more interesting story develops when you take a look at the flex-serve model.”
According to Sonny’s, flex-serve placements accounted for 15 percent of the company’s tunnel shipments in 2008, but flex-serve jumped to 20 percent of tunnel shipments sales last year.
“To us, that shows that the carwash industry is continuing to evolve to meet the needs of a different marketplace for both the operators and the wash customers,” Fazio said.
Sonny’s Carwash Tunnel Shipments by Segment | |||
| Express-Exterior | Full-Service | Flex-Service |
2008 | 78% | 7% | 15% |
2009 | 75% | 5% | 20% |
Source: Sonny’s The Car Wash Factory | |||
“When you look at the economy and the general consumer population, it makes perfect sense that operators who would have previously built a full-serve are increasingly choosing the flex-serve model,” he continued. “There will always be demand for the full-service wash, but today’s carwash often needs to appeal to a broader customer base and be in better control of its labor costs to succeed.
“The flex-serve model allows the business to attract a larger audience with a value-priced drive-through exterior while meeting the demand of the full-serve customer by providing interior cleaning and express detailing services.”
Sonny’s carwash tunnel placements last year also indicate a slight shift in express-exterior tunnel shipments to the flex-serve model. Fazio said the company anticipated the trend and has “a common practice of designing express-exterior layouts to easily convert to a flex-serve.”
"There’s a definite push to increase the value of a property by adding multiple wash formats and services that can expand hours of operation and the consumer preferences served,” Fazio noted. “That is a trend that I expect will gain momentum in 2010.”
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