Tommy's Express has grown from a family-owned car wash into one of the fastest-expanding automated car wash brands in the world, with more than 270 locations across the United States, Canada, and France. The brand’s rise traces back to 1969, when the Essenburg family opened Quality Car Wash in Holland, Michigan. That early operation evolved into a regional network and later into Tommy Car Wash Systems, the equipment manufacturing arm that would become central to the company’s long-term vision.
The creation of Tommy Car Wash Systems allowed the family to design and control the technology behind their operations, refining efficiency through proprietary equipment and tunnel systems. In 2016, those capabilities came together with the launch of the Tommy's Express franchise, transforming decades of hands-on experience into a scalable model. For Ryan Essenburg, president and chief innovation officer of Tommy's Express, franchising offered a way to combine a love of car washing with the opportunity to help others build durable businesses.
Technology remains the backbone of the brand’s performance. Locations are engineered for speed and volume, featuring wide entrances, automated access, and optimized tunnels that keep vehicles moving smoothly. Equipment designed by Tommy Car Wash Systems, along with water reclamation technology and a subscription-based membership program, allows franchisees to manage labor efficiently while generating predictable revenue. Some locations now process thousands of vehicles in a single day, underscoring the strength of the system.
Culture is treated as a daily practice rather than a slogan. The company operates under a philosophy of constant and never-ending improvement, encouraging franchisees to refine operations while maintaining consistency across markets. Comprehensive training and ongoing support help operators adapt site designs to local conditions, whether in dense urban areas or larger suburban developments.
Looking ahead, Tommy's Express is positioning itself for continued expansion as the global car care market grows and vehicle technology evolves. Advanced driver assistance systems and sensor-based vehicles are turning clean cars into a functional necessity rather than a cosmetic choice. With the combined strength of Tommy's Express and Tommy Car Wash Systems, the brand blends family-owned values with industrial scale precision, aiming to remain a long-term leader in a rapidly changing industry.
