Mobile car wash business goes into franchising

The pioneering mobile car wash business of a local entrepreneur has gone into franchising and has drawn avid interests among enterprising Filipinos.

This was revealed by its inventor, Norman Ray Gacula, president and chief executive officer of G&E Franchising & Marketing Corp., a domestic company owned by some of the members of the Overseas Filipino WorldNet (OFWNet) Foundation Inc., a non-government organization formed to economically empower overseas Filipinos worldwide.

Gacula said inquiries for franchises had been swamping his office since he joined the international expo staged by the Philippine Franchise Association of the PICC Forum Hall recently.

The inquiries were obviously triggered by the unique business concept, minimal investment, and the huge market of some 2.2 million vehicles nationwide.

The total investment required is only P185,000 – inclusive of franchise fee, mobile unit, training, and initial stocks – all in and ready to operate.

Invented only early this year, the mobile car wash has already generated around 70 franchise applications, and 10 of them have booked.

"I was having my car washed then when it occurred to me that it could be a good business to have it done in the comfort of one’s home or office," Gacula narrated.

Thus, Gacula conducted a feasibility study on the matter as he looked for suppliers of the equipment and materials he needed, which included a pressure washer, vacuum and chemicals.

When he found his requirements, he asked an engineer to design a body for his mobile car wash unit. The design was presented to fabricators of vehicles and armored vans, and the prototype took shape in just two months.