I need a little input

Not for me: I need good food way more than mediocre scenery :0

 

I agree I never cared for hooters.

 

You know, in rolling through Wyoming today a thought came to me about a full service shop that had a bay or two that could be rented.

Or you could make several bays that were secure. Maybe 15x80 and rent the bays individually. They could keep their own tools in their bay and have secure indoor parking for their truck and trailer.

 

The kind of place I'd want to build if I had the money. I'd recommend building a reliable plan for making solid money before going about it though. As much as a trucker-positive attitude is great, you have to make money to keep it up and running.

As far as the specific facilities, other posters have brought up issues I'd agree with.

1. 5-10 spots for parking - you won't make profit with that few of spots for trucks to park, especially if you are offering the spots for resets. You'll need lots more spots, at least 40-50.
2. Lounge - a great idea, but there is a lot additional costs for serving liquor, including staff.
3. Shower - great, make sure it offers something more than the big chains to draw people in.
4. BBQ - what kind? Restaurant or self-serve? Anything with fire for the public is probably a big no-no.
5. Enclosed bays - Fantastic idea. The tools? Probably a bad one. Heated space on the road would be great to do work on your truck, but I don't think the liability insurance of offering the use of tools would be cheap.
6. Grocery store - Not just a convenience store? Would be a godsend for drivers. Especially if you can offer cheap produce and protein.
7. Membership - A good way to cover overhead and root out the cheap drivers who would just ruin the facilities anyways. Think loyalty rewards and membership benefits (buy 7 get 8th free, or discounts on regular purchases).

It would be a throwback to the old days of truckers-first truck stops.

 

I would think this would appeal more to the locals that have one truck and maybe a couple of trailers and need a place to park them.

 

I have been looking for something like this. I currently rent just a parking space and can do some work on truck there.

What would be ideal for me would be secure yard space with shop space availability, place to wash truck and trailer.

 

I have never set foot in one. If I want to see boobs I go to where they show you the full monty. If I want wings I go where they serve wings without attention seeking ladies that smell of fake tan and daddy issues.

 

In the military we had shops similar to that, automotive hobby shop. You could rent a bay or a bay and tools, Some had paint booths and other equipment. I utilized them quite often. I think if you could get one up and running then try to franchise it with each location having to set up very similar to the first. Would have to be carefull with what all you do offer because it could become very labor intensive and with only a few spots somebody is going to have to pay the help.

 

At our local AutoZone, that's pretty much what 4 wheelers do every weekend. That parking lot will be packed with people working on their cars. I've seen people do some very involved repairs there.

When you think about it, it's great for somebody that doesn't have a garage to work in. They will loan you any tool you need and you have most parts at your disposal.

I would think you'd need to have a maned "tool crib" and sign out tools as needed, if you didn't want them to walk off.

I honestly think the shop part would require too much labor to watch after things to make it profitable. Most people abuse tools to begin with, especially if they didn't buy them.