Many years ago in my career I had founded and run a number of automotive service franchise companies. I started with mobile car wash, truck wash and mobile oil change services. Business was good, as we are a car nation. Today we are still, cars, cars, cars, everywhere; Gasoline cars, electric cars and soon also flying cars and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Not long ago, an entrepreneur asked me if he thought a mobile oil change franchise business was still a viable business to start in the current period. I gave this some thought and considered all future challenges and opportunities. let’s talk yes?

Ok, so is this a feasible business model today and in the near future (five to ten years)? Yes, I think so, mobile self-service tends to do well, and there are many looking to start a small business with the new Trump Administration. Reciprocating engines are not going away, and even electric vehicles need battery conditioning services, wheel lubrication, etc. Hydrogen cars also have moving parts, air filters, heat shields, etc. The tires will still need auto, balancing, and rotation.

What type of service vehicle is needed for franchisees to perform work and maintain the vehicles? Should a truck, trailer or van be used? Well, vans tend to do well with the mobile oil change, and the fleet business is the best of all, and sometimes it means a trailer is needed for extra storage tanks for new oil and used oil, and parts; seat belts, windshield wipers, oil filters, air filters, etc. Working in low parking structures can be a difficult thing to worry about so sometimes trucks are not the best option and some vans are too tall, for example the Sprinter Van which is roomy but too tall for the structures of parking.

One big benefit today that we didn’t have in the 1990s is the ease of use of mobile payment and the efficiency of online ordering, making it possible to stay efficient even by doing one or two for individual cars. Of course, in the future, self-driving cars can drive themselves for oil changes, or they can drive to the franchisee in the middle of the night for a discount, and the service vehicle can make that work, perhaps by renting a parking lot. cars. lot at night. I think there are a lot of good things about this industry looking to the future. Please consider all this and think about it.