Digitalization is transforming the car wash industry, improving service speed and customer experience through automation. Embracing technological advancement also gives entrepreneurs a competitive edge in terms of eco-friendly practices and customer convenience.
The trend toward digitalization continues to hold strong. 38% of business executives are planning to invest in technology to gain a competitive advantage. Their main goals are to enhance operational efficiencies and meet customer expectations. In sectors such as car washing, the opportunities for automation and digitization are particularly promising. For entrepreneurs venturing into this industry, advanced technologies can significantly enhance service speed, increase resource efficiency, and improve customer convenience. According to the industry experts, digitalization will also reshape the overall service experience and set new standards.
Digital shifts increase the speed of car wash service
The digital age has fostered a surge in consumer self-service, driven by the demand for immediate, on-demand solutions. Customer convenience is a key driver in the car wash industry, so entrepreneurs need to take it into consideration. For tasks that do not require expert assistance, customers prefer digital self-service tools to avoid long wait times. Therefore, companies should equip their customers with intuitive self-service options to remain competitive.
“Car wash services used to be inefficient and inconvenient. They involved long wait times, manual payments at the register, and entering a program code. This cumbersome process no longer aligns with today’s fast-paced expectations,” Kristijonas Minelga, Head of Business Development and Franchise at PRO BRO, an international franchise network of express tunnel car washes, states.
“Most people have a daily to-do list that wouldn’t even compare to the average car wash client a decade ago. Speed and convenience in the industry have become paramount to accommodate this shift in lifestyle. To remain competitive, a car wash should not take longer than getting your morning coffee from your go-to coffee shop,” says Minelga.
Full automatization that eliminates human errors contributes to the need for swift services. The expert suggests car wash entrepreneurs consider the latest technologies to enhance the speed of car wash experiences. Traditional tunnel car washes, including drive-through or mini tunnels, typically process 40-50 cars per hour. Automated express tunnel systems can handle up to 220 cars per hour, with one car wash taking only 96 seconds. The increased throughput on the conveyor belt speeds up service and leads to shorter customer waiting lines. This means, there is less risk for customers to leave due to long queues and visit a competitor’s facility.
Technology fuels sustainability goals
Sustainability should be one of the goals that car wash entrepreneurs strive for. Digital solutions can facilitate more efficient resource utilization. The expert suggests considering sensors that assess the car dirt levels to reduce the amount of chemicals and water.
Moreover, in resource-intensive sectors like the car wash industry, adopting sustainable practices can lead to improved cost management. “Innovative solutions that enhance resource efficiency can significantly boost profitability, particularly in cost-sensitive industries,” explains Minelga.
These insights align with research by Bain & Company and EcoVadis. They analyzed 100,000 businesses and found a strong positive correlation between sustainability practices and profitability. These results emphasize that sustainability is more than just about compliance or ethics. It is also a strategic advantage that enhances a company’s financial performance and competitive position.
Finally, this tech-driven approach boosts resource efficiency and cuts costs, also attracting new customers. With 78% of purchasing decisions influenced by sustainable practices, offering a more resource-efficient solution appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.
Subscription services improve customer retention
Digitalization speeds up service and enhances environmental friendliness in car washing as well as forges new customer habits. For example, self-service apps that offer easy-to-access subscription plans can generate up to four times more customers. Subscribed customers generally feel an incentive for a car wash as they want to maximize the value of subscriptions. The entire car washing experience is made more convenient that way. Without the hassle of individual payments, convenience often incites customers to extend their subscription plans.
Additionally, personalized benefits like priority service during peak times or special deals might further enhance customer experience. However, for both customers and companies to benefit from subscription services, businesses need to rely on technologies.
“Geofencing technology in apps can create virtual boundaries around specific geographic areas. Once the customer is inside those boundaries, they would receive specific notifications. These can include various reminders about their subscription packages or incentives to come for a car wash,” Minelga adds.
“Integrating AI and machine learning algorithms can help businesses personalize their services, going as far as anticipating client needs. In the future, we will see further personalization of services to enhance efficiency. They will be based on customer habits, car models, and other criteria.”
In essence, the success of a car wash business depends on different factors. These may include environmentally friendly options, convenient digital apps, and personalized solutions to attract and retain customers.
PRO BRO is the fastest-growing international franchise network of express tunnel car washes. The company employs cutting-edge technology to create a next-generation cleanliness culture where the vehicle is washed in 96 seconds. Four different-sized express tunnel models have varying capacities for car wash: the MAXI model alone can service around 500K cars per year and, with just five locations, a master franchisee would be capable of cleaning up to 2.5M cars annually. With over 26 years of experience in the sector, over 700 employees, and 22 express tunnels in Lithuania and Latvia, PRO BRO is Lithuania’s largest specialized car wash and premises cleaning network.
