$192,570Final 12-mo revenue
$25,590Best month
$95,500Money lost
5 yrsTrading
Verified via SumUp + Open BankingPost-mortem published
Car wash in Tampa, FL, US
Sparkle Express Car Wash
Since 2015 · owner Walt Simmons
$688,870Revenue, last 12 months
+4%vs last year
$57,406Average month
12Employees
12 months to Sep 2026Verified via Stripe + PlaidUpdated today
About this business
Sparkle Express Car Wash is a car wash in Tampa, FL, founded in 2015 and run by Walt Simmons. It has 12 staff.
“58% of revenue is unlimited memberships. Rain doesn’t scare us.” — Walt Simmons
Part 1How Walt built it
Part 2The numbers behind it
Over the last 12 months Sparkle Express Car Wash took $688,870, 4% more than the year before. Its best month was Mar 2026 at $62,640 and its quietest was Oct 2025 at $50,230, a swing that matches the trade's pattern: weather-driven; spring peak.
Average monthly revenue is higher than 82% of the 133 verified car washes in the US and Canada. Every revenue figure comes from Stripe and Plaid.
Financial snapshot
How it compares
Average month vs 133 verified car washes in the US and Canada. It earned more than 82% of them.
This business
Bottom 10% $12.5kTypical $30.5kTop 10% $74.9k
Middle halfMiddle 80%Typical
Part 3How Sparkle Express Car Wash wins new customers
- 1
Word of mouth
Biggest source“Most new customers come from a neighbour or friend who already uses us. We ask every happy customer for one name.”
About 7 in 10 car washes do this
- 2
Google search and Maps
“People search for us by trade and town. We keep our Google listing up to date with photos and opening hours.”
About 7 in 10 car washes do this
- 3
Online reviews
“New customers tell us they picked us because of the reviews. We answer every one, good or bad.”
About 5 in 10 car washes do this
- 4
Social media
“We post in local Facebook groups once a week. It costs nothing and people remember the name.”
About 4 in 10 car washes do this
- 5
Vans, signs and uniforms
“The van is a moving advert. People call the number while we are still on their street.”
About 7 in 10 car washes do this
What Sparkle Express Car Wash doesn’t use yet
Room to grow: how many car washes in the US and Canada use each one.
- Email and text reminders4 in 10 do
- Local partnerships3 in 10 do
- Contracts and tenders2 in 10 do
- Paid ads2 in 10 do
- Marketplaces and apps1 in 10 do
- Local events and sponsorship1 in 10 do
- Door knocking and flyers1 in 10 do
Part 4Starting a car wash? Watch for these
Warning signHow to avoid itCheck before you commit
Warning sign
Leased land on a short term
How to avoid it
Buy the site or lock a long lease with capped reviews.
Check before you commit
Who decides your rent in five years?
Warning sign
All revenue from walk-ins
How to avoid it
Launch unlimited-wash memberships from day one.
Check before you commit
What share of revenue is recurring?
Warning sign
Energy-heavy equipment on variable tariffs
How to avoid it
Fix tariffs, recycle water and model energy at twice today's price.
Check before you commit
Are you profitable if energy doubles?
Part 5Why car washes fail, and how often
- Still trading after 3 years
- 70% About 7 in 10
- Still trading after 5 years
- 59% About 6 in 10
- Most common reason for closing
- Lease & energy costs Given by 32% of owners who closed
The survivors share a few habits: sold unlimited-wash memberships; bought the land or locked a long lease; recycled water to cut utility bills.
Main reason for closing, car washes
Part 6Ask Walt a question
No questions yet. Be the first to ask Walt.
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