GEORGIA · NAICS 811192
Georgia sits in the top tier of car wash states, and express tunnel saturation across metro Atlanta's growth corridors makes competitive pipeline analysis the decisive section of a 2026 study. Studies translate vehicle count, membership penetration, water and chemical cost, and competitive pipeline into defensible projections.
FEASIBILITY TRIGGER
Car washes are special-purpose under SOP 50 10 8, so a third-party feasibility study is normally required with an industry-experienced going-concern appraiser and elevated equity.
SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders funded 293 car wash projects across Georgia between FY2010 and FY2026, moving $500.2 million in approved capital at an average ticket of $1.7 million. That volume places Georgia at #4 of 38 states measured for car wash SBA activity, or 8.7% of national car wash dollars. The 7(a) program carried 77.5% of the loan count, with 504 taking the balance, and 17 approvals have hit the pipeline since FY2024.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 293 |
| Approved volume | $500.2 million |
| Average loan size | $1.7 million |
| 7(a) share | 77.5% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 17 |
| State rank by loan count | #4 of 38 |
Among the 230 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 5.7% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for car wash is 5.4%, against 7.3% across all industries. That is broadly in line with the national benchmark for this asset class.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
An adverse-resolution rate of 5.7%, close to the national car wash benchmark of 5.4%, puts Georgia deals in this class on ordinary SBA credit footing. Across 293 loans averaging $1.7 million, the underwriting question is deal-specific: a rigorous third-party feasibility study is where documented demand and stressed coverage decide the credit outcome.
Every Georgia car washes project we underwrite follows the same lender ready process: independent market analysis, site and technical review, and financial projections tested against SBA SOP 50 10 8 standards. Our SBA feasibility study consultants guide explains scope, timing, deliverables, and what lenders and CDCs expect in the report.
Georgia projects most often fit SBA 504 where owner-occupied real estate anchors the deal, with the 50/40/10 structure delivering up to 90 percent financing at a fixed debenture rate. SBA 7(a) covers acquisitions, working capital, and equipment, and from July 4, 2026 eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10 million in total program credit.
Georgia sits in the top tier of car wash states, and express tunnel saturation across metro Atlanta's growth corridors makes competitive pipeline analysis the decisive section of a 2026 study.
For a national view of this asset class, see our car wash SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the car wash lending research on our blog.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
Four SBA 504 loans through SomerCor including land purchase and construction
4,774 square foot automatic car wash, 18-location Chicago operator, national program evidence
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Fifteen-minute scoping call, written proposal inside one business day, firm fixed fee before you sign.
Book a MeetingOur SBA feasibility study consultants prepare express tunnel, in-bay automatic and self-serve car wash studies for lenders, CDCs and sponsors. See pricing, methodology or request a fixed fee quote.
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