By Stana Peete  April 22, 2025

People love their cars. The spend a lot of their time in it driving to work, picking up the kids, visiting family and travelling in general. That’s why they want their cars to look good whenever they are out and about. That’s why your carwash is so important. Because people spend so much time in their cars and are busy much of the day, they simply don’t have the time or energy to wash their own cars. So that’s where your wonderful carwash comes into the picture – to provide this convenience to drivers. In addition, with your coffee shop, you also offer people a moment to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or other beverages and treats that you have on your menu. Give your customers a relaxing experience for themselves and a pampering session for their vehicles.

Of course, that’s what you want but how do you get the people to come to you instead of the other carwashes in the area? And how will you do this when the rain is pouring like there’s no end? It’s a good idea to check out and see what those carwashes are doing that you could implement. But you need to have an edge that pushes you apart from the others.

Here are few ideas to give your carwash coffee shop the edge:

• The first thing you should have in place is a covered wash bay. This will cover the vehicle from the elements whilst the vehicle is being washed. So, you can continue during rain or shine.
• On rainy days you could offer wash-and-go. No need to dry because it will rain. There are many people who just need to get the dirt like bird poop and tree sap washed off. And the only time they may get to your carwash is on the day when it rains. If they know it’s just a wash-and-go, this will be good enough. Plus, you can entice them with a hot chocolate or cup of coffee while they wait.
• Offer a monthly subscription service that includes two car washes and a beverage at a discounted rate. This will give the customer peace of mind that their car will be cleaned twice a month and they have a chance to relax.
• Make sure you have a variety of treats that the customer can purchase at your coffee shop while they wait. The popular cookies, muffins, cupcakes, tarts that are quick to serve are delightful. Plus have savoury options such as pies, sausage rolls, and boerewors rolls ready to go. And on those colder days make a soup of the day to entice customers to purchase from you.
• Rainy day discounts can also be an option to consider. Run a promotion on your social media to encourage people to bring their cars in on rainy days. On those days they will get special discounts.
• Rainy day freebies is an alternative to the above mentioned option. When the customers bring their car in for a wash, they can get a free muffin, for example.
• Rainy day valets can be more lucrative than the last two options. Although the outside of the car will remain wet, the inside of the car can be completely valeted and cleaned thoroughly. The rain will not affect the valet service. Plus, for these customers, you could give them a voucher to return the following day when it’s not raining for a quick dry to remove the rainwater from their vehicles.
• Promote the coffee shop more. Yes, you are probably telling people about the carwash as it is your main business but tell them about the coffee shop and the Wi-Fi that you have available for them while they wait for their car. People eat with their eyes and if they see those delicious treats, they’re more likely to come to your carwash. Because people usually think that a carwash coffee shop is just an add-on and doesn’t offer really good foods, but what if you could be different by providing customers with a dining experience that surpasses all other carwash companies? Display it and share it on social media. Take photos of customers enjoying their treats. Get photos of happiness and smiles of those customers who visit your establishment. Promote the experience just as much as you promote the carwash.
• While you’re promoting your coffee shop, show people the great coffee you have available. The general assumption is that a carwash simply offers you instant coffee, and it’s not great. But your coffee shop invested in expensive barista coffee machines that grind the best roast and fills the space with the most delectable of aromas. You got the best catering equipment for brewing coffees. Share this with your customers. Let them know it’s not just instant coffee they will get from you; they will get the best you have. And those rainy days will become more of a rainy-day sanctuary at your carwash coffee shop for those customers who discover this special hideaway.
• Last, but not least… Encourage customers to have their business meetings at your coffee shop. While they meet, their cars are washed. This could be your Business Meeting special. For the busy consultant, business owner or manager, this helps them to cover multiple tasks at the same time, namely, having that business meeting, getting something to eat and drink, as well as get their car cleaned all at the same time. Definitely a win-win!

Standing out of the crowd is not easy. Let’s face it, this economy is shaking all of us. But if you can put a good marketing plan together and give it a go with all your passion, there is a reward for those who work hard and smart.

CaterWeb stocks a full range of commercial kitchen products and we even offer free demonstrations as well as hands on training if necessary. Visit our website to access our online store or alternatively we welcome you to visit our showroom. Please call us on 011-334-4227 or e-mail your inquiry to sales@caterweb.co.za so we may assist with your catering equipment requirements!

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