Another chain wants to add to Wichita’s most-popular business trend

With numerous car washes popping up in all quadrants of Wichita, it’s almost hard to believe there’s room for more, but another car wash chain is trying to enter the market.

Take 5 Car Wash, which offers 5-minute express car washes and free vacuums for customer use, is part of the Colorado-based International Car Wash Group. The company has several brands, including Supersonic Car Wash, IMO Car Wash, Goo-Goo Car Wash and Car Wash USA Express.

Take 5 wants to open at the southwest corner of 29th and Maize Road just north of Torchy’s.

It has applied to the city to amend the community unit plan — a document that governs commercial developments of more than six acres — to allow a car wash. The CUP specifically says a car wash is not permitted.

So far, this is the only site where Take 5 has announced its interest. However, if it’s like other competitors — such as Charlie’s Car Wash, Tommy’s Express Car Wash and Zips Car Wash — it’s logical to expect it likely wants multiple locations in the market.

If the company were to select a site that’s already properly zoned for a car wash, it would only need a building permit and would not need to go through planning.

The issue is scheduled to go before the planning commission Nov. 4.

No one with Take 5 returned multiple requests for comment.

This story was originally published October 21, 2021 at 12:00 PM.