Tommy's Express Car Wash franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Tommy's Express Car Wash franchise fee is $50,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $5,205,184 to $8,522,378, with about $1,205,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Tommy's Express Car Wash FDD.
What are the Tommy's Express Car Wash franchise fees and investment?
The Tommy's Express Car Wash franchise requires a franchise fee of $50,000 and a total initial investment of $5,205,184 to $8,522,378. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $5,205,184 to $8,522,378 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $1,205,000 |
| US locations | 216 |
| Industry | Automotive (Car Wash) |
| Headquarters | Holland, Michigan |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Franchising since | 2016 |
How does the Tommy's Express Car Wash investment compare with other automotive franchises?
Tommy's Express Car Wash's minimum investment of $5,205,184 is above the median minimum investment of $235,400 across the 124 automotive franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 3 of the other 123 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $50,000 compares with an industry median of $30,000.
By minimum investment, Tommy's Express Car Wash belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Tommy's Express Car Wash FDD?
Verify six parts of the Tommy's Express Car Wash Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Tommy's Express Car Wash discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Tommy's Express Car Wash?
These automotive franchises have the closest minimum investment to Tommy's Express Car Wash:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Express Oil Change | $50,000 | $2,564,000 to $3,815,000 |
| Michelin Retread Shop | $2,500 | $2,315,000 to $12,391,000 |
| Prime Car Wash | $50,000 | $1,944,500 to $3,681,000 |
| Ezlane Auto Auctions | $75,000 | $1,500,000 to $6,580,000 |
| Brake Masters | $0 to $22,950 | $1,493,700 to $2,913,450 |
See every brand in automotive franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Tommy's Express Car Wash franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Tommy's Express Car Wash franchise ranges from $5,205,184 to $8,522,378, including a franchise fee of $50,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Tommy's Express Car Wash franchise?
Tommy's Express Car Wash lists a minimum of about $1,205,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Tommy's Express Car Wash locations are there?
Tommy's Express Car Wash reported 216 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Tommy's Express Car Wash been franchising?
Tommy's Express Car Wash started offering franchises in 2016 after the company was founded in 2015.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Tommy's Express Car Wash and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tommy's Express Car Wash. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.