5 Best Car Wash Franchises

by / ⠀Blog / September 29, 2025
While you may not realize it, the car washing franchise has a lot of factors that can play into it. Think about it, there are automatic ones, mobile, and self-service. You can get your car steamed or mechanized, or even detail washed. The car washing business can be lucrative if you play your cards right. If you are an entrepreneur then you can buy into a franchise. Or, if you have the resources, you can open your own car wash business yourself. This article is all about what car wash franchises are the best in the United States. Who knows, maybe you will end up working at one of these successful businesses! With that said, let’s get started!

Mr. Clean Carwash

Founded in 2008, this car washing franchise had an initial investment of around $2.4 million and $3.2 million. This franchise prides itself in excellent vehicle cleaning and maintenance. They have a variety of wash packages that you can choose from. Mr. Clean Carwash also has royalty fees that are 5-6%. You also know that they can be trusted since it is from the Mr. Clean brand that has been beloved by many all over the world. Just a few years ago, the business gained a new CEO, Stuart Williams, and was expanding across the state of Florida.

Fleet Clean USA

The first Fleet Clean facility was in 2009 and would not become a franchise for another four years. Their initial investment was around $158,000 – $321,000. What makes them so unique in the business is that you can own them yourself. That is because the initial buy-in is very low compared to buying into or starting your own. This car wash franchise has its own software that makes running the company much easier than before. The company continues to grow across the United States.
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Fleet Clean USA provides car-washing equipment on its website as well. They also have blog posts that explain tips and tricks for your car-washing needs.

Tommy’s Express

This old business was founded in 1969 and didn’t turn into a franchise until 2016. Now, the business has 55 locations. This service offers customers a quick service with modern and professional equipment. This car wash franchise started with an investment of up to $4.8 million. To buy into the franchise, it has an initial fee of just $40,000. Today, Tommy’s Express has been on its game with easy-to-use websites, excellent marketing, and a presence on social media. There is also Tommy University where team members can have access to high-class training.

Green Shine Waterless

This pro-environment business started in 2005. While it only has 12 franchises worldwide, having started expanding in 2011, this business is for you if you are concerned about the planet. The team behind this company developed a way to conserve water while washing a car. To do this, they clean the car while it is parked as its owner is out shopping or doing other activities. Green Shine then performs an eco-friendly car wash without having to move the vehicle. They have a relationship with third parties who provide financing. That way, Green Shine has a way to pay for costs, equipment, and more. Their franchise offers many different services for a car. These include polish and wax, paint sealant, interior detailing, headlight restoration, engine detailing, nano ceramic coating, and more. Their initial franchise fee is just $20,000 if you are interested. Their royalty fee is only 5% and for ad royalty, it is just 1%.
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Monkey Shine

Having been founded and started a franchise in 2007, Monkey Shine is an excellent car wash franchise. While just seven franchises, they have an initial buy-in fee between $5,000 – $25,000. Like other car washes, they offer a variety of services for your car. Some of these include exterior maintenance with an automatic wash tunnel. What makes them special is that they have a better quality customer experience that has been noted to stand out from the other competitors.

Conclusion

As you can see, these are some of the best car wash franchises in the United States. But, this is just a drop in the bucket because there are many other excellent car wash franchises as well. Consider carefully what each of these businesses brings because it matters in such a cutthroat industry. If you are an entrepreneur that is interested in this kind of business, then you can learn a lot from the five franchises above. Use their history, what their services are, and more to gain insight into your own decision-making. Then, you can decide whether you want to buy into a car wash franchise yourself, or you can get your hands dirty and create a brand new one from the ground up. While it may be a difficult decision to make, the choice is yours!

About The Author

Hello! My name is Tristan Anderson and I live in Manhattan, Kansas. I enjoy being in nature and animals. I am also a huge geek who loves Star Wars and has a growing collection.

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