As experienced real estate private equity investors, one of our primary goals is identifying scalable, cash-flowing opportunities that offer downside protection and long-term growth. When Yankee Capital Partners began exploring car wash investing, we faced a critical decision: should we build our own private-label express wash, or partner with an established franchise like Tommy’s Express Car Wash?
After extensive due diligence—including financial modeling, operational site visits, market trend analysis, and competitive benchmarking—we made the strategic decision to become a Tommy’s Express franchisee. This blog outlines the key reasons behind that decision and highlights why we believe investing in express car washes—especially through a national platform like Tommy’s—represents one of the most compelling passive income opportunities in today’s real estate market.
Before explaining why we chose to franchise with Tommy’s Express, it’s important to understand the macro trends driving growth in the express car wash investing space. More accredited investors, family offices, and real estate syndicators are exploring car wash investing for several reasons:
These fundamentals align with our investment thesis at Yankee Capital Partners: acquire institutional-grade real estate, pair it with a high-performing operating model, and deliver attractive, passive returns to investors.
Launching an independent car wash brand requires years of brand-building, marketing, and customer acquisition. In contrast, Tommy’s Express gives us instant brand credibility. With over 240 locations nationwide and a highly visible footprint, the Tommy’s name is trusted by nearly one million members through its TommyClub subscription app.
For investors evaluating how to invest in a car wash, brand matters. Customers are far more likely to visit a familiar, consistent national brand than a local startup. That means faster ramp-up, higher revenue, and more reliable cash flow from day one.
Tommy’s Express isn’t just a franchise—it’s a fully integrated platform. Their parent company, Tommy Car Wash Systems, manufactures all proprietary equipment, tunnel systems, and even the iconic red arches. This vertical integration ensures quality, durability, and cost-efficiency.
Building a private brand would’ve meant sourcing equipment from multiple vendors and dealing with integration issues—a process that’s not only expensive but risky. Tommy’s solves this with a plug-and-play system designed for throughput, efficiency, and consistency.
If you’re looking for a car wash investment with passive income, recurring revenue is key. The TommyClub app powers one of the industry’s highest membership adoption rates, with many locations seeing 60%+ of revenue from monthly subscribers.
This subscription model smooths out seasonality and provides predictable income—exactly what investors want in a cash-flowing car wash investment.
Tommy’s offers comprehensive franchisee support that includes:
As real estate experts and investors focused on scalable car wash portfolios, we didn’t want to waste time reinventing the wheel. Tommy’s Express gave us a proven blueprint, allowing us to focus on execution and growth.
Franchisees benefit from negotiated national pricing on everything from wash chemicals to POS systems. This supply chain advantage reduces operating costs and improves margins—something private car wash owners often struggle to replicate due to lack of volume.
For those comparing franchise car wash investment returns vs. private-label concepts, this cost efficiency creates a real performance gap over time.
As car wash syndications and consolidations increase, institutional buyers are targeting branded, multi-unit portfolios. In our view, Tommy’s Express franchise investments will command higher exit multiples than independent operators due to:
If you’re looking to build a car wash investment fund with a real exit strategy, franchising with Tommy’s positions you for a premium valuation.
Yankee Capital Partners approaches every investment with a real estate-first mindset. We’re focused on acquiring prime sites in high-traffic locations with strong long-term land value.
By partnering with Tommy’s Express, we get the benefits of:
Rather than building a customer-facing brand from scratch, we focus on what we do best—acquiring, improving, and managing valuable assets.
Franchising with Tommy’s Express gave us the ability to:
It was not just a tactical decision—it was a strategic one aligned with our commitment to disciplined investing, cash-flowing real estate, and long-term value creation.
We’re currently offering accredited investors an opportunity to participate in our YCP Tommy’s Express Car Wash Portfolio:
✅ Quarterly distributions and stable cash flow
✅ Bonus depreciation and compelling car wash investment tax benefits
✅ National brand support and operational excellence
✅ Direct ownership in high-quality real estate assets
Learn more about how to invest in an express car wash portfolio by visiting https://yankee-capital.com to schedule a call with our team today.
