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New Exclusive Renovated Car Wash In Queens.Asking Price:$5,450,000Cash Flow (SDE):$850,000Gross Revenue:$2,000,000Business Description: Profitable Car Wash In QueensNew Exclusive Renovated Car Wash for Sale – Queens, NYTurnkey, fully renovated car wash equipped with premium Motor City equipment. This high-volume facility features a 125-foot express tunnel, a 3-bay repair and tire shop, and a separate dedicated detailing area — offering multiple revenue streams under one roof.Currently grossing over $2 million annually with strong net cash flow. The business is only operating from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, presenting significant upside potential by extending hours to increase profitability.Monthly rent is just $9,500, with real estate taxes totaling approximately $70,000 per year.Priced aggressively for a quick sale and ideal for a qualified group of buyers or an experienced individual operator.Building SF: 7,000Lease Expiration: 01/01/2051Rent: $9,500.00
Why we like it
- Earnings Quality: $850K cash flow on $2M revenue delivers 42.5% margins in a predictable, cash-intensive business model. The tunnel system creates operational leverage where incremental customers add pure profit after covering fixed labor and utility costs, with no inventory or complex fulfillment requirements.
- Durability & Moat: The 27-year lease at $9,500/month creates a structural cost advantage that becomes more valuable over time as Queens real estate appreciates. Tunnel car washes require significant capital investment ($2-5M+ for new construction) and complex permitting in NYC, creating high barriers to competitive entry in the immediate trade area.
- Market Tailwinds: Car washes perform well in both economic expansions (more discretionary washing) and contractions (people keep cars longer, need more maintenance). Queens dense population and high car ownership rates provide a stable customer base with limited premium car wash alternatives.
- Operator Advantage: The facility currently operates only 12 hours daily, leaving obvious expansion opportunities through extended hours, membership programs, and optimization of the ancillary tire/repair services. An experienced operator could likely push revenue past $2.5M with systematic improvements to throughput and pricing.
How to improve it
- Hour Extension: Extend operating hours to 6 AM - 9 PM daily, capturing early commuter and evening traffic. This adds 4 hours of revenue potential with minimal additional labor costs, potentially increasing monthly revenue by 15-20%.
- Membership Program: Launch unlimited wash subscriptions at $29-39/month to create predictable recurring revenue and increase customer visit frequency. Industry data shows membership programs can increase per-customer lifetime value by 3-4x while stabilizing cash flow.
- Ancillary Revenue: Optimize the 3-bay repair shop and detailing services through dedicated staff, improved marketing, and premium service packages. These higher-margin services can add $200-400K annually if properly managed and promoted.
- Operational Efficiency: Implement point-of-sale analytics to track peak hours, optimize staffing, and identify pricing opportunities by service type. Install customer flow management systems to reduce wait times and increase throughput during busy periods.
- Marketing & Branding: Develop local digital marketing presence, Google My Business optimization, and partnerships with nearby businesses, apartment complexes, and car dealerships. Queens market likely under-penetrated for car wash services given limited premium competition.
Diligence notes
- Equipment Condition: Inspect the Motor City tunnel equipment thoroughly, including conveyor systems, pumps, and chemical injection systems. Request maintenance records and recent capital expenditure history to assess near-term repair requirements and remaining useful life of major components.
- Lease Terms: Review the full lease agreement for renewal options, rent escalation clauses, and any restrictions on business operations or modifications. Confirm the January 2051 expiration date and verify there are no landlord exit clauses or development plans that could affect tenancy.
- Revenue Verification: Analyze daily cash flows, credit card processing records, and seasonal patterns to validate the $2M annual revenue claim. Car washes can have significant weather-related fluctuations and the current 12-hour operation may mask underlying demand patterns.
- Regulatory Compliance: Verify all environmental permits, water discharge compliance, and NYC Department of Environmental Protection approvals are current. Car wash operations face strict wastewater regulations and any compliance issues could result in significant remediation costs or operational shutdowns.