From QSRs to Car Washing: a family franchise legacy

At Tommy’s Express, our franchisee network is one of our most valuable assets. Our community is a team of high-performing operators dedicated to their guests and delivering a clean, shiny, dry car. We take great pride in the team we’ve built. In this article, we’d like to spotlight one of our franchise partners out of the Midwest: Elise Liegel.  

Building her own legacy 

Franchising was never foreign to Elise. Her dad and uncle, Jeff Liegel and Chad Stevenson, are the largest Culver’s franchisees in the United States.  

“Growing up working within that brand gave me a deep appreciation for what a well-run franchise looks and feels like,” Elise said. “I loved everything about it, but I reached a point where I wanted to build something of my own.”  

This passion led Elise to explore franchising outside of quick-service restaurants, prompting her to inquire with Tommy’s Express.  

A partnership built on shared values 

After touring headquarters and meeting the team during her Discovery Day, Elise knew she’d found the right fit.  

“Within the first five minutes of meeting Mike Lemmen and the team, I turned to my dad and uncle and said, ‘We have to do this. They think like we do — same culture, same values, same priorities in business,’” she recalled. “The more we learned — about the membership model, the technology, the operational support, and the brand’s story — the more certain we became. It was, in every sense, a perfect fit.” 

Training that sets the foundation 

Elise opened her first location May 2026 in Portage, WI, the first of what’s shaping up to be significant multi-unit development. Elise has plans for 10 additional locations in Wisconsin, and the acquisition of three more along the Florida Gulf Coast – 14 sites in total.  

She credited her team, and the support from headquarters, for a successful opening. “The corporate support team has been exceptional — responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in our success,” she said. “On the marketing side, they’ve been instrumental in helping us execute campaigns, develop creative assets, and design guest promotions that drive real engagement. The operations and training support, however, is where I’ve seen the most immediate impact. The entire team was on-site for our soft opening, and we had at least two dedicated trainers with us for our first two weeks. That hands-on presence made an enormous difference — our Team Members were trained the right way, from day one, and that foundation has carried us forward… the corporate team is a competitive advantage in its own right.” 

You get what you put in 

Operating a successful car wash isn’t a passive investment, Elise calls out that the business rewards those who show up.

“Tommy’s equips franchise partners to compete at the highest level from day one. We’re not figuring things out on our own — we’re backed by a brand that’s constantly innovating and investing in our success.” she said. “If you’re willing to put in the work, Tommy’s Express will reward you in ways that go well beyond the business itself. This isn’t a passive investment — it asks for real commitment and real leadership. But if you show up with the right mindset and values, you’ll find a brand, a team, and a community that will genuinely change your life. For us, it has.” 

Start your journey 

Elise’s story reflects what Tommy’s Express looks for in a partnership: operators who value culture and share similar values, leaders with dedication, and those who are ready to grow within an innovative industry.

To explore what franchising with Tommy’s Express could look like for you, please fill out the form here. A member of our team will reach out to you within the next business day.