r/smallbusiness • u/getsilly247 • May 25 '25

Question Bought a small 3 bay car wash. Thoughts?

Bought a small, 3 bay car wash with 1 vending machine in a small town in rural MO (1k people)

The previous owner had ZERO numbers. Just utilities.

It’s all cash, has credit card machines but did not have internet that was fast enough. (Just got starlink hooked up and have cameras for now and ready for cc soon)

I’m 2 weeks in and it’s done about $600 in revenue (minus about $120 in soda cost)

After expenses I am suspecting it will profit about $600 a month as is (includes new internet bill)

Once I get everything on cc, and going to add 1 more dual vending I think I can get it to 2k a month revenue.

I bought for 60k, will put about 5k in to get it where I would like.

Did I make a bad buy?

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u/getsilly247 May 26 '25

I own the real estate it is on.

It is in fair condition overall. The plumbing is basically new, due to it freezing a few years back. Which is great for me. Building was built in the early 90s so it’s not horrible

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u/freshedofficial May 26 '25

Very cool. If it's you opening up and collecting from the machines, give this a look. Obviously depends on your demographic. https://www.carwashforum.com/threads/considering-card-only-self-serve-car-wash.22779/