Tommy's Express debuts first Ludington site with 10-day free wash promotion
The franchise opens at 4863 W. US Hwy. 10 and is inviting the community to wash for free from July 31 through August 9.
By The Car Wash News Staff
3 min read
Tommy's Express has opened its first location in Ludington, Michigan, marking another expansion for one of the country's fastest-growing car wash franchises. The new site sits at 4863 W. US Hwy. 10, near Ponderosa, according to reporting from the International Carwash Association.
To mark the launch, the brand is offering free washes to the entire community for 10 days, running Friday, July 31, through Sunday, August 9. The promotion follows the standard playbook Tommy's Express uses to drive local awareness and build early membership sign-ups at new sites.
What the new location offers
The Ludington facility carries the brand's recognizable building design and what the company describes as its most advanced proprietary wash technology. Large bay windows let customers watch the wash process as vehicles move through the tunnel on a dual-belt conveyor built to handle a range of vehicle types. The company says a full wash takes under three minutes from start to finish.
Outside the tunnel, the site includes free self-serve interior vacuum stations and mat washers. Customers can also enroll in the TommyClub Unlimited Wash Membership through the Tommy's Express mobile app. The membership uses license plate recognition for automatic entry and offers four customizable wash packages at different price points.
A West Michigan franchise story
Tommy's Express is built on the 57-year history of Quality Car Wash, founded by Jacob, Sonny, and Tom Essenburg in 1969. The Tommy's building and equipment were originally developed by Tommy Car Wash Systems and are manufactured in West Michigan. The franchise provides operators with training, marketing, technical assistance, and access to franchise-exclusive wash products and technology.
The brand has drawn attention for its expansion pace. It is ranked No. 1 in the car wash category on Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 list and appears among the publication's fastest-growing franchises.
Why it matters for operators
The extended free-wash grand opening remains one of the most effective tools for a new express site to seed a membership base. Giving away 10 days of washes lowers the barrier for local drivers to try the tunnel, and the on-site app sign-up funnel is designed to convert those first-time visitors into recurring subscription revenue before the free window closes. Operators watching Tommy's Express should note how tightly the promotion, license plate recognition, and tiered membership packages work together to capture customers at the moment of highest interest.
The Ludington opening also underscores the continued march of national express brands into smaller markets. Independent operators in these communities can expect new competition built around fast throughput, membership pricing, and free vacuum amenities. The practical response is to sharpen the same fundamentals: a compelling unlimited plan, frictionless entry, clean vacuum stations, and a memorable first visit that turns trial into loyalty.
