Tommy’s Express Car Wash Named Top Franchise by Industry and Influence

September 30, 2026 // Franchising.com // HOLLAND, Mich.—Tommy's Express Car Wash has been named a 2026 Industry Icon Top Franchise, a list presented by Industry & Influence. The recognition honors 100 organizations demonstrating meaningful innovation, leadership, momentum, and industry impact within their respective fields. Brands like Oura, SharkNinja, BODYBAR Pilates, and Chicken Salad Chick were also on the list.

Tommy's Express was selected for turning a routine household service into a technology-enabled membership experience, with recognition specifically citing the brand's rapid franchise growth, distinctive operating model, consumer technology and continued expansion across new U.S. and international markets.

The organization highlighted several elements of Tommy's Express' growth over the past year, including its expansion into new U.S. markets such as California, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Oregon, and Texas, along with the groundbreaking of the brand's first Puerto Rico location.

The recognition further pointed out the company's international growth, highlighting the appointment of new franchise development leadership overseeing expansion outside the continental United States. Tommy's Express expects to have multiple locations open in Canada by the end of 2026, with additional development planned.

Industry and Influence also credited Tommy's Express' TommyClub membership program and mobile app for reshaping the economics of the car wash industry — shifting the customer relationship from a one-time transaction to an ongoing subscription, while giving franchise partners more predictable recurring revenue.

"For its franchise momentum, operational innovation, membership model, technology integration, and ability to turn a routine car wash into a recognizable national experience, Tommy's Express Car Wash has been selected as a 2026 Industry Icon in Consumer Products," Industry and Influence said in the announcement.

Tommy's Express joins 99 other honorees recognized as part of the 2026 Industry Icons list. The full list is available at https://2026list.com/icons.

About Tommy’s Express

Tommy’s Express is a rapidly growing national car wash franchise built on the 57-year history of Quality Car Wash, founded by Jacob, Sonny, and Tom Essenburg in 1969. The innovative Tommy’s building and equipment—originally developed by Tommy Car Wash Systems—are manufactured in the USA in West Michigan. Tommy’s Express provides franchisees with comprehensive support, including exclusive training, marketing, technical assistance, and access to proprietary, franchise-exclusive advancements in wash products and technology. Recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine, Tommy’s Express is ranked No. 1 in the car wash category on the Franchise 500 list and is featured among the Fastest-Growing Franchises.

For more information on Tommy’s Express, visit: https://tommys-express.com/.

SOURCE Tommy’s Express

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