Tommy’s Express seeks franchisees in Poland

Tommy’s Express is preparing to enter Poland and is seeking partners to develop a network of automatic tunnel car washes. The concept combines fast car washing with a subscription model and app-based services. This is an opportunity for franchise investors with substantial capital: the minimum investment is PLN 11.5 million, and the offer is aimed primarily at entrepreneurs interested in operating several sites.

Preparing for market entry, not opening sites yet

As reported by Franchising.pl on 30 October 2026, Tommy’s Express is preparing to expand into Poland after establishing its position in the United States and entering other markets. The company, whose roots date back to 1969, has nearly 300 car washes in operation. Its preparations to enter Poland are supported by the Commercial Section of the US Embassy in Warsaw.

At this stage, the announcement concerns the search for investors and preparations to develop the concept. It should not be confused with the opening of the first Polish site. For potential partners, this means an opportunity to discuss building the brand’s presence in a new market, rather than joining a network already operating in the country.

Partners will be able to apply for territorial exclusivity within an agreed area. There is an important distinction between the possibility of securing this right and its automatic award. Entrepreneurs considering a partnership should establish which area exclusivity would cover, what conditions they would need to meet and how it would relate to the development of further sites.

Tunnel washing, an app and subscriptions

The concept centres on automatic tunnel car washes, where the cleaning process takes less than three minutes. Tommy’s Express combines this format with a subscription model and app-based services. The offer therefore goes beyond the washing equipment itself: digital tools and subscriptions are integral to the operating model.

The chain sees Poland as a market with growth potential. According to information presented by Franchising.pl, more than 21 million passenger cars are registered in the country. The car wash market remains fragmented, with few nationwide chains combining automatic tunnel washing, an app and subscriptions.

Tommy’s Express estimates that Poland’s six largest metropolitan areas — Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, the Tri-City area of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, and Katowice — together account for more than 3.1 million cars. The company estimates that these areas could accommodate between 70 and 168 sites of this kind.

This is the chain’s own estimate of market potential, not a commitment to open that many car washes. Nor is it a forecast of any individual site’s performance. For investors, metropolitan-area data can provide a starting point for analysis, but it is no substitute for assessing a specific plot, access, local competition and project costs.

Three formats and investment from PLN 11.5 million

The minimum investment is PLN 11.5 million. The final budget depends on the format, location and scope of works. The quoted figure is therefore an entry threshold, not a standard cost for opening every car wash. The offer is aimed primarily at entrepreneurs with substantial capital who are interested in operating several sites.

Tommy’s Express offers three formats. World Model is a smaller tunnel car wash. Express provides greater throughput. Flex combines exterior washing with thorough interior cleaning. The choice therefore concerns both the scale of the site and the range of services provided.

A Build-to-Suit model is also available. Under this arrangement, an external investor buys the land, builds the car wash and then leases it to the franchisee. This creates a different division of responsibilities for property development from an arrangement in which the operator buys the land and handles construction.

However, this option should not be taken as confirmation of any particular reduction in the capital required. Candidates should obtain a separate budget for their chosen arrangement, including lease commitments and operating costs. Comparing formats requires a review of the full terms, not just the initial investment.

Network support and questions to ask before committing

The franchisor says it provides support from site selection and arranging finance through to construction and preparations for opening. Its offer includes equipment, cleaning chemicals, spare parts, technology, training, technical assistance and site management tools. Partners do not need previous experience of running a car wash.

The stated support therefore covers both the investment phase and subsequent operations. Given the scale of the financial commitment, however, each element of the offer should be reflected in specific contractual provisions: the parties’ responsibilities, the costs of supplies and services, and the terms governing the use of technology. Support with arranging finance should not be confused with a guarantee of securing it.

Practical takeaway: before committing, request a budget for a specific site, the terms of territorial exclusivity and a comparison of the available formats. Estimates of Poland’s market potential provide a basis for discussing the concept, but they do not replace a financial assessment of your own car wash.