At most car washes, convenience stores, fuel stations, and service centers the TV is treated like background noise. But what if that screen actually worked for the business? Today’s leading detailing and carwash operators are looking beyond simply generating clean rides. Stores with customer service and waiting areas are investing in technologies and services that improve the customer experience, increase same-store sales, and generate additional revenue.
One such concept gaining traction is BreaktimeTV (BTV), a managed in-store digital media platform that transforms customer waiting time into a business asset. Founded by automated retail veteran Patrick McMullan, BreaktimeTV installs digital engagement screens in customer waiting areas and manages virtually every aspect of the program, from content and advertising to technology support and reporting. The result is a turnkey solution that provides operators with a modern customer experience, potential 3-5% same-store sales growth and a new source of passive income with minimal day-to-day involvement.
Take a look at operations which have a waiting area television playing something like an on-air sporting event. The difference between a standard football game on a TV and a BreaktimeTV screen is simple: One entertains. The other engages, informs, upsells, and generates revenue.
Hundreds of customers pass through waiting areas daily while waiting for a wash, oil change, fuel stop, or service appointment. That creates hundreds of opportunities every single day to:
- Promote premium wash packages
- Upsell oil changes and add-on services
- Drive food and beverage purchases
- Feature loyalty and rewards programs
- Deliver local and national advertising
- Share weather, traffic, and community information
- Keep customers engaged during downtime
Idle attention is one of the most underutilized assets in retail today. According to McMullan, every screen should create value for the operator, the advertiser, and the customer experience.
Unlike traditional digital signage, BreaktimeTV is designed specifically for environments where customers spend meaningful time waiting. Through its proprietary five-panel layout, BreaktimeTV screens can simultaneously display engaging video content, weather, store promotions, community messaging, sponsorships, and advertising. This allows carwash and detailing operators to communicate with customers while creating opportunities to generate revenue from both national and local advertisers.
Advertising and promotional content could include membership benefits, loyalty programs, premium offerings, beverage promotions, community partnerships, supplier-sponsored campaigns, and local business advertising. Operators can also promote consumer automotive cleaning products they are selling in the store. BreaktimeTV manages the advertising relationships, content creation, scheduling, and technical support, allowing operators to focus on running their business.
“We do 95% or more of the work,” McMullan said. “Our goal is for this to be on autopilot for the operator. We handle the content, advertising, technology, and support while the operator benefits from increased engagement, additional revenue, and a better customer experience.”
Beyond advertising revenue, McMullan believes one of the platform’s biggest benefits is its ability to influence purchasing decisions at the point of sale. “We influence buying decisions in the last five feet,” McMullan explained.
“We’re reaching customers while they’re already engaged inside the store.” According to McMullan, operators utilizing the platform commonly experience a 3% to 5% increase in same-store sales through increased awareness of products, services, and promotions available within the location. Combined with recurring advertising revenue, many operators can achieve a return on investment within months.
BreaktimeTV currently powers thousands of screens nationwide across breakrooms, waiting areas, and other common gathering spaces. The platform has generated millions of advertising impressions while maintaining an HR-friendly content environment and delivering measurable results for operators and advertisers alike.
The system can operate using an internet connection, though hard-wired connectivity is preferred whenever available to maximize uptime and reliability. Operators may install screens themselves or work with BreaktimeTV for installation support.
McMullan believes the opportunity extends well beyond car washes.
“Wherever people are taking a break, BreaktimeTV fits,” he said. “Whether it’s a car wash waiting area, laundromat, workplace breakroom, or another customer gathering space, businesses are discovering they can create a better customer experience while generating additional revenue from the same walls they already have.” And their 8,000-screen footprint in less than a year demonstrates that this model is working.
For national advertisers, BreaktimeTV offers access to a highly engaged audience in environments where consumers are spending 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Unlike traditional television advertising, messages are delivered in a distraction-light environment and often closer to the point of purchase, creating meaningful opportunities to influence consumer behavior.
As car wash operators continue searching for ways to differentiate their stores and improve profitability, BreaktimeTV is demonstrating that customer engagement, sales growth, and recurring media revenue can successfully work
together in a single platform.
For more information about BTV and its potential for laundry add-on revenue, go to https://breaktimetv.com, call 480-690-6000, or email patrick@breaktimetv.com.
