U.S. Car Wash Services Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Report 2023-2032
The U.S. car wash services market was estimated at USD 15.25 billion in 2022 and it is expected to surpass around USD 26.7 billion by 2032, poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.76% from 2023 to 2032.
Key Pointers
Report Scope of the U.S. Car Wash Services Market
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size in 2022 | USD 15.25 billion |
| Revenue Forecast by 2032 | USD 26.7 billion |
| Growth rate from 2023 to 2032 | CAGR of 5.76% |
| Base Year | 2022 |
| Forecast Period | 2023 to 2032 |
| Market Analysis (Terms Used) | Value (US$ Million/Billion) or (Volume/Units) |
| Companies Covered | Driven Brands, Inc.; Tummy’s Express; Splash Car Wash; Zips Carwash; Autobell Car Wash, Inc.; Quick Quack Car Wash; True Blue Car Wash; Magic Hands Car Wash; Wash Depot; SSCW Enterprises (Super Star Car Wash) |
The growing consumer focus on vehicle maintenance, as well as damage caused to the car body due to bird droppings, dirt, acid raindrops, particulate matter, and salt deposits during the winter months have increased the demand for car wash services in the U.S. The COVID-19 outbreak had a significant impact on the business of car washers in the country. A survey conducted by Womply, an auto wash and detailing company in the U.S., suggested that their weekly revenue dropped by 48% in April 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019.
Additionally, in the week of March 16, 2020 the weekly revenue dropped by 53%, as compared to the same period in the preceding year. This led to many car washing operators providing free vehicle disinfection services, and value-added services to stay ahead in the competition. For instance, seven southern California carwashes reopened in May 2020, included free vehicle disinfection service to help customers safeguard themselves from the virus.
The demand for car washing in the region has surged, especially in the last decade. This can be attributed to enhanced convenience along with a wide range of service packages as well as affordable alternatives. Due to strict environmental standards that prohibit household car washing methods, the need for professional car cleaning services is expected to rise. As purchasing power of consumers increases, their attention toward regular vehicle maintenance will keep growing. Moreover, many consumers can’t find time to wash their cars themselves, owing to hectic schedules.
Moreover, SEKO, a car washing service provider reports that more than 80,000 professional car washing establishments are located in North America. More than 8 million vehicles are washed at car washing establishments each day. In North America, more than 2 billion cars are washed every year. According to a blog by DetailPro published in May 2021, in the U.S., 66% of people wash their cars 13 times a year on average. According to this, there are typically one or two washes per month. More than 70% of car owners switched to car washing facilities from handwashing in the last decade.
New technological developments are bringing changes in on-demand car wash services. Consumer adoption of the service via mobile applications and online portals has resulted from the e-commerce industry's tremendous growth. For instance, WashCard developed payment portals, especially for car wash service providers that allowed customers to make mobile payments and set up automated billing and cleaning schedules.
As sustainability continues to govern purchase decisions, car washes have also followed suit and started eco-friendly car washing services. Car washing service providers have started moving towards regulated water essentials. Traditional car washing uses 15 to 80 gallons of water per vehicle, whereas the environment-friendly version uses only 8 to 70 gallons per vehicle when equipped with filtration technology or water reclamation. Though originated decades back, water reclamation technology is being adopted by various brands today as consumers, brands, and lawmakers continue to strive for quality control and conservation.
Type Insights
Roll-over/in-bay type dominated the market with a share of more than 44% in 2022. Roll-overs/in-bay are one of the most widespread express car wash types. They feature compact machines with brushes, water jets, wheel-wash, and the application of products such as waxes, dryers, or foams. Also, these types offer very versatile machines and their compact nature ensures a thorough washing in a small area.Automatic in-bay car washes are the most common type of car wash in the U.S., with nearly 29,000 facilities across the country by 2020. It provides a variety of wash options and is a quick, convenient, and inexpensive way to clean a vehicle.
Self-service car wash type will grow at a CAGR of around 5.84% from 2023 to 2032. This segment is witnessing healthy traction owing to the range of customization it offers to consumers when it comes to cleaning vehicles neatly. Self-service car wash facilities are widely popular among customers who prefer to detail their cars themselves. According to a blog by JBS Industries, there were more than 36,000 facilities in the U.S. in 2020 offering car owners the ability to wash their cars’ exteriors and options for vacuuming the interiors.
Mode of Payment Insights
Cashless payment mode dominated the market with a share of more than 72% in 2022. With the deep rooting of online payments among consumers, car wash service owners have increasingly started installing integrated payment solutions, across pay stations. Along with boosting sales, these payment systems also offer detailed insights into their clientele. Millennial consumers especially expect the availability of convenient methods, including tokens, debit cards, loyalty cards, EMV-enabled credit card payments, or mobile payment options.
The majority of car washing services have coin-operated machines installed to get car cleaning done. As per the Pew Research Center, in 2019, 30% of Americans made cash payments at car wash centers. Although cash payments were common in the past decade, due to the growing popularity of digital transactions, demand for cash payments in the U.S. car wash services market is projected to record low volume during the forecasted period.
U.S. Car Wash Services Market Segmentations:
By Type
By Mode of Payment
Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1. Research Objective
1.2. Scope of the Study
1.3. Definition
Chapter 2. Research Methodology
2.1. Research Approach
2.2. Data Sources
2.3. Assumptions & Limitations
Chapter 3. Executive Summary
3.1. Market Snapshot
Chapter 4. Market Variables and Scope
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Market Classification and Scope
4.3. Industry Value Chain Analysis
4.3.1. Raw Material Procurement Analysis
4.3.2. Sales and Distribution Channel Analysis
4.3.3. Downstream Buyer Analysis
Chapter 5. COVID 19 Impact on U.S. Car Wash Services Market
5.1. COVID-19 Landscape: U.S. Car Wash Services Industry Impact
5.2. COVID 19 - Impact Assessment for the Industry
5.3. COVID 19 Impact: Major Government Policy
5.4. Market Trends and Opportunities in the COVID-19 Landscape
Chapter 6. Market Dynamics Analysis and Trends
6.1. Market Dynamics
6.1.1. Market Drivers
6.1.2. Market Restraints
6.1.3. Market Opportunities
6.2. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
6.2.1. Bargaining power of suppliers
6.2.2. Bargaining power of buyers
6.2.3. Threat of substitute
6.2.4. Threat of new entrants
6.2.5. Degree of competition
Chapter 7. Competitive Landscape
7.1.1. Company Market Share/Positioning Analysis
7.1.2. Key Strategies Adopted by Players
7.1.3. Vendor Landscape
7.1.3.1. List of Suppliers
7.1.3.2. List of Buyers
Chapter 8. U.S. Car Wash Services Market, By Type
8.1. U.S. Car Wash Services Market, by Type, 2023-2032
8.1.1. Tunnels
8.1.1.1. Market Revenue and Forecast (2020-2032)
8.1.2. Roll-over/In-bay
8.1.2.1. Market Revenue and Forecast (2020-2032)
8.1.3. Self-service
8.1.3.1. Market Revenue and Forecast (2020-2032)
Chapter 9. U.S. Car Wash Services Market, By Mode of Payment
9.1. U.S. Car Wash Services Market, by Mode of Payment, 2023-2032
9.1.1. Cash Payment
9.1.1.1. Market Revenue and Forecast (2020-2032)
9.1.2. Cashless Payment
9.1.2.1. Market Revenue and Forecast (2020-2032)
Chapter 10. U.S. Car Wash Services Market, Regional Estimates and Trend Forecast
10.1. U.S.
10.1.1. Market Revenue and Forecast, by Type (2020-2032)
10.1.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, by Mode of Payment (2020-2032)
Chapter 11. Company Profiles
11.1. Driven Brands, Inc.
11.1.1. Company Overview
11.1.2. Product Offerings
11.1.3. Financial Performance
11.1.4. Recent Initiatives
11.2. Tummy’s Express
11.2.1. Company Overview
11.2.2. Product Offerings
11.2.3. Financial Performance
11.2.4. Recent Initiatives
11.3. Splash Car Wash
11.3.1. Company Overview
11.3.2. Product Offerings
11.3.3. Financial Performance
11.3.4. Recent Initiatives
11.4. Zips Carwash
11.4.1. Company Overview
11.4.2. Product Offerings
11.4.3. Financial Performance
11.4.4. LTE Scientific
11.5. Autobell Car Wash, Inc.
11.5.1. Company Overview
11.5.2. Product Offerings
11.5.3. Financial Performance
11.5.4. Recent Initiatives
11.6. Quick Quack Car Wash
11.6.1. Company Overview
11.6.2. Product Offerings
11.6.3. Financial Performance
11.6.4. Recent Initiatives
11.7. True Blue Car Wash
11.7.1. Company Overview
11.7.2. Product Offerings
11.7.3. Financial Performance
11.7.4. Recent Initiatives
11.8. Magic Hands Car Wash
11.8.1. Company Overview
11.8.2. Product Offerings
11.8.3. Financial Performance
11.8.4. Recent Initiatives
11.9. Wash Depot
11.9.1. Company Overview
11.9.2. Product Offerings
11.9.3. Financial Performance
11.9.4. Recent Initiatives
11.10. SSCW Enterprises (Super Star Car Wash)
11.10.1. Company Overview
11.10.2. Product Offerings
11.10.3. Financial Performance
11.10.4. Recent Initiatives
Chapter 12. Research Methodology
12.1. Primary Research
12.2. Secondary Research
12.3. Assumptions
Chapter 13. Appendix
13.1. About Us
13.2. Glossary of Terms
Cross-segment Market Size and Analysis for
Mentioned Segments
Additional Company Profiles (Upto 5 With No Cost)
Additional Countries (Apart From Mentioned Countries)
Country/Region-specific Report
Go To Market Strategy
Region Specific Market DynamicsRegion Level Market Share Import Export AnalysisProduction AnalysisOthers