By Tony Huppert
Car washes at convenience stores serve as an additional revenue source along with providing a valuable asset for customers.
Years ago when we installed our first car wash it was a challenge to know how many to install. Car washes are like churches, too small for busy days and a large expense on slow days. Customers would line up on busy days and complain about the length of time they spent in line. My son and I contemplated installing another wash to alleviate the wait time.
While we were researching our options technology provided a sedative to alleviated most of the wait time problem on busy days for us. As we hear about cell phones and other hand held devices causing problems for drivers on the road, they are doing wonders alleviating drivers wait time boredom. Now that almost every driver has a cellphone of some type, their time is spent talking, planning or playing with these devices while in line.
A car wash owner’s only requirement is to make sure there is cell coverage and or Wi-Fi available, if not, look at installing another car wash. A bored customer is an unhappy customer.
Tony Huppert is a Wisconsin businessman of 40 years and CEO of Team Oil, Inc., the family-owned and operated Team Oil Travel Center, and Subway in Spring Valley, Wis.
