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Tow Truck Company Business Plan Sample

OCT.02, 2018

Tow Truck Company Business Plan Sample

Do you want to start towing business?

Do you want to start a towing business? Well, this business has so wide scope and opportunities, that you need to plan wisely before initiating it. Basically, a towing business is based on removing the impaired or inoperable, or illegally parked vehicles from the road.

Sometimes, special types of tow trucks are also used to remove the equipment and illegally kept cargos from the road. The towing business for roadside assistance is often needed as during the traffic hours, undesired vehicles or property on the road can cause inconvenience and even accidents on the roads.

So, if you are looking for how to start a tow truck business , you must decide first whether you want to buy and run a tow truck by yourself, opening a franchise or want to organize a number of trucks to start your own business. After taking the decision, you have to devise a detailed business plan covering all the details. In case, you need assistance on how to start your own roadside assistance business , you can take help from this sample business plan for a tow truck business startup named, ‘Texas Towing’.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Texas Towing Company will be located at a 10-minute drive from SeaWorld, San Antonio, a rich colonial city in Texas. Texas Towing will be, a registered and licensed company owned by Michael Finney, with towing trucks operating in the whole city. All the trucks will be kept in the best condition for working on urgent basis, and all the drivers will be well-trained to resolve common technical issues before provided with a CDL license. Texas Towing business will be based on moving emergency, impounded, inoperable or improperly parked vehicles from the roads throughout the city, timely and efficiently.

2.2 Management

If you are going to start a roadside assistance business , you will all be dependent upon the work efficiency of your drivers. So, the management is the core concept, upon which your whole towing service depends. Michael has been associated with the automobile industry for more than 5 years, after doing a pervasive research on how to start a towing business , he has decided to manage the business by himself by purchasing trucks and employing drivers.

2.3 Customers

Before thinking about how to start a towing company , you should know the category of the people will need to avail your service. Our major customers will be the traffic policemen, road district officers, and the local residents of the city. There can be various phenomena when residents and road users will require our services, for instance, their vehicle can get out of order in the mid road, run out of gas or they may have accidentally locked them up in their own property!

2.4 Target of the Company

tow truck business plan sample

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Michael Finney will be the owner of the Texas Towing. Michael has been working in vehicle-related industry for more than 5 years. His two-year successful experience as a senior manager of a truck transport business and his friendly affiliation with all his employees has made him passionate enough to start his own business.

3.2 Why the Business is being started

Michael has excellent management skills, which he wants to devote to a profitable business. He has studied about many businesses and finally found starting a towing business , the most suitable for him. San Antonio is the seventh most populous city in the United States, that’s why Michael has chosen this as his marketplace, as the need to keep streets and roads clear for the incoming traffic is more in populous areas. Moreover, the larger the audience, the more will be the requirement of a towing service, and the more profit you can generate.

3.3 How the Business will be started

tow truck business plan sample pdf

The detailed startup requirements and expenses are given in the table below.

Services for customers

This sample business plan will help you for starting your own tow truck business , and determining the services you can provide. Texas Towing will provide the following services to its customers.

  • Roadside Assistance: Probably you will be worried if your car has run out of gas in the middle of a busy road, or has locked up in such a manner that you are unable to move it. Rest assured if you are in San Antonio, as we will be providing roadside assistance in the whole city 24 hours a day. Our drivers are trained to fix the problem in a very few minutes when it is possible to repair the vehicle on the road. Otherwise, our tow trucks will be helpful in moving your vehicle and saving others from the inconvenience or possibly an accident.
  • Long Distance Towing: We have special flatbed tow trucks to carry your vehicles for long distances. Our service is more useful for the traffic maintenance department in case they want to capture improperly parked vehicles.
  • Heavy Duty Towing: For loading large-sized trucks, or more than one vehicle at a time such as when we have to remove illegally parked vehicles, our drivers will reach timely and perform their duty.
  • Equipment & Cargo Hauling: Our specialized drivers will also lift the heavy equipment and cargo within the city.

Marketing Analysis of Towing Business

What do you think will be required to open up a new tow truck business? Trucks, office, employees, yes of course, but what will you do with all these things if you fail to attract your target customers? So, before you start your new business, you must think about the reason of failure of so many startups. Well, it all depends upon how successfully you market your services. Understanding the marketing trends before making your towing business plan , will help you in developing your strategies. It is really important to consider the market demands and the requirements of your potential customers before finalizing your towing company business plan sample . A preliminary study of your target market will not only help you in writing a productive tow truck business plan but also tell you which program and policy will work and how. There are thousands of tow truck business plans  available on the web, but a better practice is to make solely yours, focusing on your own market area. This tow truck business plan sample  is written for Texas Towing focusing the marketplace of San Antonio. If, you have a different marketplace, then instead of depending upon this sample business plan for towing company , you should hire the services of marketing analyst to do accurate analysis of your market and make a perfect tow truck company business plan  for you.

5.1 Market & Industry Trends

Having an idea of the market trends and tendency before designing your towing business plan template  can assist you in determining your business strategies. The demand of tow truck business is facing a decline in the United States since the past few years as newer vehicles are equipped with modern systems to avoid accidents. Moreover, people usually prefer to help themselves instead of calling a tow truck company. A pre-knowledge about the reasons that caused decline in people’s interest in taking help from tow truck businesses will help you in running yours. After pointing them out you can amend those prior practices to ensure that you are doing well. According to IBISWorld, there are about 46 thousand towing businesses in the United States generating a revenue of $7 billion annually. The business is the cause of employment for more than 96 thousand people. The statistics are not really bad, but apart from them, you must focus on increasing the customer’s trust in you, if you want your startup to succeed.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The success or failure of a startup depends upon how accurately you know your target customers. Marketing segmentation must be included in your tow truck business plan sample, covering the details that how will you gain and maintain more and more customers inside and outside your target groups. Considering the importance of marketing analysis, Michael has hired the services of a marketing expert to identify his target customers and devising efficient sales strategy. You can take help by downloading this towing business plan pdf, we are providing towing company business plan sample  free of cost for everyone who want to start this business. The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

sample business plan tow truck company

5.2.1 Local Residents

This group comprises of the residents or tourists who live in San Antonio. These people will surely need to come on the roads, their vehicle can damage, can run out of gas, the engine may seize, or may accidentally locked up in such a way that even the owner become unable to move his/her vehicle. These all situations seem worse when you imagine that you are in the middle of a busy road. Here this group of our target customers will need our service to either get the issue resolved by our technically skilled driver or by moving the vehicle to some other place or workshop.

5.2.2 Police & Road Maintenance Department

In big cities, and especially populous cities, there are many instances when people park their cars improperly or in prohibited places. Same is the case with cargo and equipment which shopkeepers or retail salesmen install on the road. In all these cases the police department needs our services to move or seize those equipment and vehicles. We’ll be providing discount to the police department so that they will use only our services whenever they need a tow truck.

5.2.3 Accident Responders

In the rush times, the rate of accidents and collisions increase in big cities. Whenever an accident occurs, there is a need of towing services to remove the damaged vehicle from the place to avoid inconvenience for incomers ensuring smooth flow of the traffic. We’ll also provide discount to this category, to remove the hesitation of people to acquire our services. The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

5.3 Packages Pricing

We have decided to keep the price of our services low initially, as it is necessary to gain people’s trust for the business. We have different discount packages for all our customers in the first three months, and for accident responders, and road maintenance department throughout our servicing period. Due to our less prices, people will surely try our services at least for once, after the first contact we believe, that they will blindly trust our services for the rest of their lives.

5.4 Target of the Company

Our main business targets to be achieved over the course of next three years are as follows:

  • To become the most renowned and most successful towing company in the whole San Antonio, by providing high-quality services
  • To achieve the net profit margin of $10k per month by the end of the first year, $15k per month by the end of the second year, and $25k per month by the end of the third year
  • To balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits by the end of the first year

After identifying the groups of people, whom you need to attract, the next step is to advertise your services and come up with the incomparable competitive edges, so that more and more people avail your services whenever they need a tow truck. Before you think about how to start your own tow truck business , you must think that what will you be providing to the people that others are not, and why would they prefer you over all your competitors. In case, you are new to this business and need assistance while making an appropriate sales strategy, you can take help from this sample business plan written for how to start a roadside assistance company .

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6.1 Competitive Analysis

Our biggest competitive advantage is our fast and quick service. On a call, our all-time ready and equipped tow truck will reach at the location in the nick of time and fix the problem. Our next biggest competitive advantage is that our truck drivers are specialized and trained to fix common vehicle issues, like if your car has stopped in the half-way, the first attempt of our drivers will be to fix the problem instantly, and if the issue can’t be resolved at the moment, then your vehicle will be taken away in a very careful and quick manner. Lastly, we are in a location where we can serve a lot of people as well as the road maintenance department. San Antonio is the second most populous city in Texas and the seventh most populous city in the whole United States, and for Michael’s, a larger population means enormous business opportunities!

6.2 Sales Strategy

If you are looking for how to start your own towing business  and how to develop an effective sales strategy, you can take help from the following brilliant ideas, our experts have presented to advertise our services,

  • We will advertise our company on social media and by setting up a company webpage by which our customers can contact us
  • We will offer 20% discount to the accident responders to remove damaged cars
  • We will initially offer 20% discount on all services for first three months
  • We will offer 10% discount to the departmental police on our servicing

6.3 Sales Monthly

sample business plan tow truck company

6.4 Sales Yearly

free sample tow truck business plan

6.5 Sales Forecast

sample tow truck business plan

Personnel Plan

Personnel plan is the most important part of a tow truck business plan sample, as this business will be solely dependent upon the skill of the drivers. If you are looking for how to start a roadside assistance company , put your major focus to the staff you hire. The staff required for a tow truck business startup and an estimate of their salaries is given here to help you in evaluating your startup costs and determining how to run a tow truck business  successfully.

7.1 Company Staff

Michael will act as the General Manager of the company and will initially hire the following people:

  • 16 Tow Truck Drivers
  • 2 Accountants for maintaining financial and other records
  • 2 Sales Executives responsible for marketing and discovering new ventures
  • 3 Technicians for maintaining trucks and resolving technical issues of trucks
  • 1 IT Expert for managing the company’s official website and social media pages
  • 1 Customer Representative for interacting with customers
  • 2 Telephone Operators for receiving calls and orders

To ensure the best quality service, all employees will be selected through vigorous testing and will be trained for a month before starting their jobs. Especially the truck drivers will be trained to resolve common technical issues of vehicles.

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

The last but the most important step you have to take if you are initiating a business, is to develop a precise and detailed business plan covering all the details of how you will be able to balance the startup costs, the salaries of your employees, and the expense of your trucks and parking area with your   tow truck business income . A comprehensive and effective financial plan is the one which contain the planning of how the company will achieve its goals and financial targets. So, before starting a tow truck business plan sample , you must formulate a detailed financial plan estimating your expenses and investment group business plan on the startup and its marketing, and roughly calculating the tow truck business profit that can be earned after meeting all the expenses. It is good to hire a financial expert to make an accurate financial plan for you, especially if you aim at widening your business scales. However, if you are starting at a small scale, then you can make your financial plan by yourself taking help from the sample business plans available on how to start a roadside assistance business . The details of sample financial plan for Texas Towing company are given here for your help:

8.1 Important Assumptions

The financial projections of the company are forecasted on the basis of following assumptions. These assumptions are conservative and can show deviation but to a limited level such that the major financial strategy of the company will not be affected.

8.2 Brake-even Analysis

tow truck business plan sample

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

tow truck company business plan sample

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

tow truck business plan sample pdf

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

tow truck business plan sample

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

sample business plan tow truck company

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

free sample tow truck business plan

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

Download Tow Truck Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGS capital professional writers specialized also in themes such as business plan for taxi service , comprehensive business plan for dump truck , transport business plan , transportation business model , truck driving business idea , logistics company business strategy and many others.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

towing business plan pdf

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Tow Truck Business Plan

towing business plan pdf

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  • Fill in the blanks – Outline
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How to Write a Tow Truck Business Plan?

Writing a tow truck business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

Introduce your business:

  • This section may include the name of your tow truck business, its location, when it was founded, the type of tow truck business (E.g., light-duty towing, medium-duty towing, heavy-duty towing.), etc.

Market opportunity:

Product and services:.

  • For instance, your towing services may include, towing services, vehicle recovery, transport service, roadside assistance, and salvage services.

Marketing & sales strategies:

Financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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towing business plan pdf

2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Business description:

  • Light-duty towing
  • Medium-duty towing
  • Heavy-duty towing
  • Describe the legal structure of your towing company, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.
  • Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.

Mission statement:

Business history:, future goal:.

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Target market:

  • For instance, a towing company may target commercial business owners, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and insurance companies that require towing assistance.

Market size and growth potential:

Competitive analysis :, market trends:.

  • For instance, safety is a top concern in the transportation industry, so explain how you deal with this concern. This may include focusing on safety measures, such as driver training, safety equipment, and accident prevention.

Regulatory environment:

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your tow truck business plan:

  • Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
  • Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
  • Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
  • Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

Describe your services:

Mention the towing services your business will offer. This list may include services like,

  • Towing services
  • Roadside assistance
  • Storage services
  • Vehicle recovery
  • Salvage services
  • Vehicle transport
  • And other towing services.

Describe each service:

  • For instance, towing services include towing of light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty vehicles, such as cars, RVs, trucks, and motorcycles.

Quality measures:

  • This may include regular inspections and maintenance, driver training and certifications, and safety equipment.

Additional services:

In short, this section of your tow truck business plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique selling proposition (USP):

  • For example, a diverse fleet of tow trucks, 24*7 availability, and quick response time could be some of the great USPs for a towing company.

Pricing strategy:

Marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, this section of your towing company business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your towing business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Staffing & training:

Operational process:, equipment & machinery:.

  • Explain how these technologies help you maintain quality standards and improve the efficiency of your business operations.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your tow truck business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founder/CEO:

Key managers:.

  • It should include, key executives, senior management, and other department managers (e.g. operations manager, safety manager.) involved in the tow truck business operations, including their education, professional background, and any relevant experience in the towing industry.

Organizational structure:

Compensation plan:, advisors/consultants:.

  • So, if you have any advisors or consultants, include them with their names and brief information consisting of roles and years of experience. This section should describe the key personnel for your towing services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

This section should describe the key personnel for your towing services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:.

  • This exercise will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to sustain or be profitable.

Financing needs:

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

  • Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
  • In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
  • Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the towing industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
  • Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
  • Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your towing business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

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This sample tow truck business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful tow truck plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our tow truck business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a tow truck business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful tow truck business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your tow truck company.

How to get funding for your tow truck business?

There are several ways to get funding for your tow truck business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

Small Business Administration (SBA) loan

Crowdfunding, angel investors.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your tow truck business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your tow truck business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your tow truck business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any tow truck business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software.

About the Author

towing business plan pdf

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Download Tow Truck Business Plan

The Complete Guide on How to Start a Tow Truck Business in 2024

Rakesh Patel

  • Last Updated: November 2, 2023

How to start a tow truck business

  • Establishing a tow truck business requires securing the required permits, insurance, and licenses in addition to adhering to safety and environmental regulations.
  • Efficiency and service quality can be increased by spending money on dependable, well-maintained tow vehicles as well as specialized equipment and gear.
  • Providing extra services like tire replacements, jump starts, and roadside assistance can increase customer satisfaction and provide new revenue streams.
  • Accounting and tax reporting can be made easier and compliance with requirements can be ensured by maintaining correct records and paperwork, such as tow logs and invoices

Do you want to know how to start a tow truck company? Do you wish to start your own business but don’t know where to start? 

You’ve come to the right place.

The tow truck industry is rife with opportunities. The automobile towing industry in the United States is worth $11.3 billion and is expected to grow by 2.9% by 2022. This staggering figure shows that starting a tow truck business is feasible and profitable.

This article will help you with everything you need to know about starting your own tow truck company. We’ll go over the various towing services you can offer in your small business and the steps you need to take to start a successful tow truck company.

Start your engines because we’ll pull out valuable information to help you start a successful towing business .

Table of Content

  • Why Start a Towing Business?

Things to Know Before You Start a Towing Company

  • How to Start a Tow Truck Business in 10 steps

Know How Upper Route Planner Helps Your Tow Truck Business Become More Profitable

Why start a towing business .

A towing company may be the way to go if you want to start a business that provides stability and little stress or excitement. Also, the towing business provides you with the following benefits.

1. High-profit margins

High profit margin in starting a tow truck business

Starting a towing business offers the potential for strong profit margins. On average, tow truck businesses typically see net profit margins in the range of 10% to 15%. However, it’s essential to recognize that these figures are estimates, and the actual profit margins can vary based on the unique circumstances of each business.

In some cases, astute business owners have achieved remarkable profit margins, reaching as high as 70%. This substantial profit potential is one of the compelling reasons to consider launching a towing business.

2. You are your boss

You are responsible for almost all operations when you purchase a towing truck. Making decisions can be both empowering and liberating.

3. You have a good eye for mechanics

While a tow truck operator may not have to repair the vehicles they tow, understanding mechanics can help you identify automotive issues and advise customers. Furthermore, if something goes wrong with a truck, you might be able to fix it yourself.

4. You thrive in high-stress scenarios

You will almost certainly encounter many uncooperative vehicle owners who argue and become aggressive when you attempt to tow their vehicle, even if you are following the law. But, if you know how to handle these stressful situations well, you are suited to the towing industry.

5. It is highly scalable

Your company will always need new services, features, and products, with businesses and processes evolving daily. Furthermore, you can implement various business models and pricing tiers to reach a wide range of customers.

Before we dive deep into the steps, you need to start a towing and recovery business. There are a couple of things that you should be aware of.

Do you need the experience to start a towing business?

No, even with no experience, you can start a towing company.

However, you will need to learn a few things, such as the mechanics of your truck, how to drive with a huge load, and how to load vehicles onto your tow truck to avoid damaging your client’s property.

What are the different types of towing businesses?

There are many different types of towing, just as there are thousands of different types of vehicles on the road. Most of these involve transporting vehicles from where they broke down to the workshop, but others are a little more unique.

The most common types of towing companies are:

1. Light duty towing services

These services are appropriate for most small cars, motorcycles, vans, and light commercial vehicles.

2. Medium duty towing services

It involves trailer and horse box towing.

3. Heavy duty towing services

It involves towing commercial vehicles, up-righting rolled-over trucks, load shifts, etc.

4. Transportation services

It involves the transportation of compressors, generators, construction equipment, etc.

How to get your tow driver ID?

A Tow Driver ID is required to start a towing business and drive a tow truck yourself.

To get a Tow Driver ID in the United States, you’ll need the following qualifications:

  • 18 years of age or older.
  • A commercial driver’s license.
  • A perfect driving record.
  • In the previous three years, no more than three accidents occurred within a year.
  • No DUIs in the last five years.
  • No more than one DUI in the previous ten years.
  • Conversational English is required.

Based on your location, exceptions and more specific criteria may apply to these rules. The main goal of these stringent guidelines is to ensure that only trustworthy individuals operate tow trucks and handle vehicles. Additionally, ensuring your dispatch office and parking facility meet required guidelines adds to a more secure and reliable towing service.

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10 Steps to Start a Towing Business

A towing company is a profitable and evergreen venture that cannot be affected by the recession. However, getting started necessitates preparation. Let’s detail the steps you need to know before you start your towing business.

Step 1: Choose the towing service you want to provide

Starting a towing business is simply the initial step; you must also decide what type of towing business you want to open. Tow truck companies are classified into two types: retail towing, also known as consensual towing, and non-consensual towing .

  • Consensual towing is when a company offers roadside assistance to a customer whose vehicle has broken down or been damaged in an accident.
  • Non-consensual towing companies work with private property owners and law enforcement to tow vehicles illegally parked or otherwise in violation of the law. 

However, non-consensual towing companies face their own challenges, such as belligerent, uncooperative vehicle owners and strict local regulations governing where and how long vehicles can be impounded. Non-consensual towing company owners spend a lot of time in court, but they rarely lose cases.

Therefore, understanding the dynamics of each type of towing and taking into account your actual location is essential before starting your business venture.

Step 2: Make a business plan

Create a tow truck business plan

Every successful company begins with a good idea and a solid plan to back it up. Writing a towing business plan may appear daunting, but it simply entails getting your ideas out of your head and onto paper.

You’ll need to decide what type of towing services your company will provide and who will receive them. Business expenses also play a crucial role in your planning.

Will you do all the towing yourself, or will you have a team of tow truck drivers working for you? 

Making these decisions early on will assist you in determining the structure of your towing business.

In addition, you should figure out your business budget and choice of location. You should know how much you will spend on a truck and other startup expenses for your company. 

While business planning do consider insurance, marketing, and branding materials. Also determine how much you will need to charge for your business to be profitable. 

Will you charge flat rates or by the hour? 

It’s a good idea to develop specific processes for your tow truck business at this point. For example, you should write down the steps you’ll take every time you go out on a call, from when your phone rings until you deliver the vehicle to its final destination.

Step 3: Register your business

You must first complete some important paperwork before you can open your doors for business. To register your company with state and local agencies, you must choose the business legal entity that will influence how you file your business taxes and risk exposure. This decision also plays a crucial role in establishing your business name and brand identity in the market.

We’ve narrowed it to the two most common:

Limited liability company

Limited Liability Company (LLC) can be formed as a single entity or with several business partners. This business structure appeals to tow truck companies because it provides some personal liability protection. You, the individual, are protected during a legal dispute.

Corporation

Forming a corporation may be the way to go if you want to grow your business into a national brand. This independent business entity enjoys many of the same liability protections and tax advantages as LLCs and others. However, more paperwork is required, such as creating bylaws and forming a board of directors.

You will also require liability insurance and business insurance. You can consult with a lawyer to determine what type of liability insurance you need and how to structure your contracts to protect yourself if a vehicle towed by your company is damaged.

Accidents happen, but accidents involving something with a monetary value, such as a vehicle, can be extremely costly to your company. Ensure you have adequate insurance not to cost your company a fortune if something goes wrong.

Step 4: Open a bank account and register for EIN

After registering your towing business, you should apply for an employer identification number (EIN), which is essentially a tax identification number, on the IRS website. Your EIN allows you to open a business bank account on behalf of your new towing company.

Open a bank account with a debit card and charge all business expenses. This includes towing vehicles, equipment, gasoline, tow truck insurance, truck financing, and anything else required to perform your duties.

Business accounts will keep your tow truck business finances separate from your personal finances. This will help to avoid tax headaches and build business credit. Business credit helps to qualify for credit cards and other lines of credit. 

Step 5: Obtain licenses and permits

To operate a towing and recovery business, you must obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Check with your state’s Department of Transportation to ensure you meet all requirements for the business license. Business owners need to check with their state and local city county clerk office to check for specific permits. 

Tow truck vehicle owner will typically need to obtain the following company license and permits:

  • Indictment management permit 
  • Private property permit
  • Consent to tow permit 
  • Oversized vehicle permit
  • Overweight vehicle permit
  • Class B driver’s licenses

Step 6: Purchase a tow truck

To provide towing services, you’ll need to purchase a tow truck. As it will be your most expensive purchase so you can go for business loans. Depending on the model, the tow truck cost will likely range between $40,000 and $100,000.

The type of tow truck you purchase will determine the services your company can provide. You won’t be able to transport an oversized load, such as a standard-sized vehicle, with a truck designed for regular vehicles.

Here are various types of tow trucks you can choose for your business:

  • Flatbed trucks
  • Tow truck for oversized loads
  • Tow trucks with wheel lifts
  • Tow trucks with hooks and chains

Step 7: Look for a route planner 

Fast response times enable a tow truck to compete with other towing services. Individuals frequently want their vehicles towed as soon as possible when they break down, and property owners want improperly parked cars removed as soon as possible. Providing prompt service keeps these customers satisfied.

However, manually planning routes is time-consuming, and this method results in going on fixed routes with no real-time data about the current condition.

Route planning strategies are essential if a company wants to reduce all unnecessary overhead  costs.

Avoiding route planning hurts both performance and fleet management.

Therefore, it is preferable to use intelligent route planning software to find efficient routes.

Step 8: Identify your target market

With the legal issues settled, it’s time to move on to the fun part: determining your company’s target audience.

Regarding towing, you should decide whether you want to go the B2B or B2C route. B2B is an abbreviation for “business to business,” meaning you’ll serve other businesses. B2C implies that you will serve customers directly.

Making this difference from the start will help you with everything you do for your tow truck business in the future.

What types of businesses will you serve if you do? 

Will they be roadside assistance companies like AAA, or will they be local garages and auto repair shops?

For heavy load towing, your company could specialize in moving manufactured homes and equipment, so your target audience would be builders or construction companies.

And on the consumer side, you could tow vehicles for people who have a breakdown and prefer to take their car home rather than to the shop.

Determine who your company will serve, and then create a more specific ideal client profile.

Step 9: Build your brand

Establishing your brand will be a piece of cake once you’ve identified your target audience.

Your brand’s visual elements will include your website’s logo, fonts, color palette, business cards, pamphlets, and other marketing materials.

The ultimate goal is to create a brand that connects with members of your community and fosters brand loyalty. You want your brand to be the first thing that comes to mind when someone needs a tow truck.

Step 10: Promote your business

Consider how you will publicize your business. Here are some marketing suggestions for your tow truck business to reach their potential customers:

Create a website

Create a website that includes an online request a quote or booking form, as well as a list of your services, experience, and relevant licenses and permits. Make sure your website is optimised for search  engines, this will ensure your site ranks high when someone searches for two truck services. Finally, make sure your website is designed for both desktop and mobile users.

Create an account on social handles

Establish business pages and accounts on Yelp, Facebook, Google my Business, and Twitter for online presence where you can share updates, news, images, and reviews.

Spend your marketing budget on advertisements in local newspapers, online forums, radio, and highway billboards. Print flyers and business cards and hand them out to local businesses.

Upper is now used by most tow truck businesses to streamline routes for truck drivers. Business owners want to save money and time by developing automated routes.

Manual route planning was difficult to follow, resulting in increased fuel costs, slow services, vehicle maintenance costs, and poor customer feedback.

So, we introduced one of the best route planning software to assist businesses in addressing these issues.

You will not only be following a well-optimized route with Upper Route Planner, but you will also have customer details and their location readily available on the portal.

Why not try us out for a 7 days free trial? You will have full access to our features, which you can use in your towing business. Check to see if it helps you save money and time.

Find Efficient Routes for Your Tow Trucks

Don’t spend too much time manually planning routes, instead use Upper Route Planner. Import your delivery information, plan and optimize routes within just a few seconds.

A flatbed truck is a large truck with a flat body that lacks sides and a roof that surrounds the bed. These trucks are typically used to transport large loads that will not be damaged by inclement weather or rough roads. Their unique bed design is ideal for loads too large for an enclosed-body truck.

A tow truck driver earns between $43,544 and $71,789 per year, with a median wage of $56,074. There are strict salary regulations, so make sure they qualify because misclassifying someone as a salary can be costly.

Towing professionals offer a wide range of towing services under emergency roadside assistance. If a customer runs out of gas, they can rely on your experts to provide gas services to refill the tank, or if they need assistance with deflated tires, your towing providers will replace the tire or re-inflate, depending on the situation.

Physical damage refers to a group of insurance policies that protect your vehicle. This broad term encompasses collision insurance as well as the option of purchasing full comprehensive insurance or the more limited fire and theft with Combined Additional Coverage (CAC) insurance.

Starting a towing business is doable, but it will take some grit and dedication on your part to make it successful. Don’t be afraid to devote extra time to developing your business plan. It will help you succeed and secure startup funding, especially when purchasing your tow trucks.

You’ll increase your tow truck business’s chances of success if you follow these steps, secure the necessary startup funding, and have a passion for serving your customers.

Alongside, you require quick route options that streamline your towing business, and Upper Route Planner is the best option to save time and increase productivity for your operations.

To experience the transformation, sign up for a free 7 days trial.

Rakesh Patel

Rakesh Patel, author of two defining books on reverse geotagging, is a trusted authority in routing and logistics. His innovative solutions at Upper Route Planner have simplified logistics for businesses across the board. A thought leader in the field, Rakesh's insights are shaping the future of modern-day logistics, making him your go-to expert for all things route optimization. Read more.

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How To Write a Winning Tow Truck Business Plan plus Template

Business Plan-DG

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for tow truck businesses who want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every tow truck business owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Business Plan Template

What is a Tow Truck Business Plan?

A tow truck business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Tow Truck Business Plan?

A tow truck business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Tow Truck Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful tow truck business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a tow truck business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

  • Start with a one-line description of your tow truck company
  • Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your tow truck business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your tow truck firm, mention this.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a tow truck business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

  • What part of the tow truck industry are you targeting?
  • How big is the market?
  • What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, a tow truck business’ customers may include:

  • Local businesses with a fleet of vehicles
  • Individuals who own one or more vehicles
  • Auto body shops and auto mechanics
  • Car dealerships

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or tow truck services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

  • Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
  • Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
  • Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
  • Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or you may promote your tow truck business via word-of-mouth marketing.

Operations Plan

This part of your tow truck business plan should include the following information:

  • How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
  • What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a tow truck business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include expanding to new markets or launching new services.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific tow truck industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

  • Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
  • Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
  • Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Tow Truck Company

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

  • Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
  • Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
  • Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Tow Truck Company

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

  • Cash Flow From Operations
  • Cash Flow From Investments
  • Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup tow truck business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Tow Truck Company

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

  • Your complete financial projections
  • A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
  • Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your tow truck company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

A business plan is not a static document but should be updated as your tow truck company grows and changes. Review and revise your business plan regularly to ensure it remains relevant and accurate, especially if you plan to attract investors.  

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Other Helpful Articles

Damage Waiver Form, Towing Receipts, Invoices, and Other Templates

How To Write a Winning Roadside Assistance Business Plan + Template

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Tow Truck Business Plan Template

A successful towing business is based on a solid business plan. To help you out, we've designed a business plan template specifically for small business owners.

Get your copy today!

Download The Template  

For help completing your tow truck business plan, read our guide .

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How can a tow truck business plan help you?

  • A solid business plan acts as your strategy guide for building a successful tow truck business.
  • Whether you're an existing trucking business or just starting out, a business plan helps you get organised.
  • Use a business plan to help secure funding for your tow truck business.

Get your free tow truck business plan template!

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BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to create a tow truck business plan

  • Nirit Braun
  • Sep 12, 2023

How to create a tow truck business plan

When starting a business in the towing industry, crafting a well-structured business plan is akin to having a reliable GPS system—it's indispensable. A tow truck business plan acts as a guiding compass, outlining the goals, objectives, strategies and financial projections for your tow truck company. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of mapping out your business plan.

Looking to promote your business online by building a website ? Test drive Wix's website builder .

Why create a tow truck business plan? Some benefits to consider

When you're in the tow truck business, a well-structured business plan packs a punch, offering a perks like:

Raising capital with confidence : Your business plan becomes your persuasive ally when approaching investors or lenders. It serves as a detailed pitch, laying out your business's value proposition, target market, competitive analysis and financial projections. This comprehensive information helps potential backers assess the potential return on investment, increasing your chances of raising money for your business .

Strategic resource allocation: Your plan prompts you to rigorously assess the resources, supplies and equipment essential for the effective launch of your tow truck business. It assists in determining the appropriate number and types of tow trucks, as well as the tools and safety equipment required. By identifying these needs, your plan ensures that your business begins with the right infrastructure to deliver reliable services.

Building a skilled team: Your plan outlines key roles—such as drivers, dispatchers, mechanics and administrative staff—specifying the qualifications and expertise needed for each position. This clarity streamlines the recruitment process and ensures that your business assembles a skilled team ready to provide top-quality service.

Preparing for challenges: In the tow truck business, surprises are inevitable. Your business plan helps you spot potential curveballs like vehicle breakdowns, accidents or shifts in market demand. You'll be prepared with contingency plans, bolstering your business's resilience.

Competitive edge: Your plan dives deep into the tow truck market, revealing customer needs and identifying competitors. Armed with this knowledge, you can find ways to stand out, whether through unique services or strategic pricing, giving your business a competitive edge.

Financial clarity: Financial projections within your business plan provide a clear picture of anticipated revenue, expenses and profitability. This information helps you evaluate the financial feasibility of your business, make informed decisions and set achievable growth goals.

How to write a tow truck business plan in 6 steps

In the following sections, we’ll guide you through six essential steps to craft an effective tow truck business plan that sets you on the path to starting your tow truck business .

Executive summary

Company and domain names

Market analysis and research

Operations plan

Marketing and advertising plan

Financial plan

01. Executive summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your tow truck business plan, providing a snapshot of the key elements and goals of your business. It's usually the first section of the business plan and serves as a compelling introduction to capture the reader's attention. For a tow truck business, your executive summary should succinctly outline the purpose of your business, your unique value proposition, target market and your financial projections. It should also convey your business's mission and goals in a compelling manner.

02. Company and domain names

Picking the right business name is crucial for building brand awareness and trust within the towing industry. A memorable and descriptive name can resonate with customers and convey your business's essence. Consider utilizing business name generators to brainstorm creative options that align with your services and values.

Be inspired: Trucking business names

When choosing a domain name for your website, aim for simplicity and relevance. The domain name should ideally match or closely relate to your company name. Conduct thorough checks to ensure the domain name is available and doesn't infringe on trademarks. A clear, easy-to-remember domain name enhances your online presence and makes it easier for potential customers to find you.

Remember to register your business once you've landed on the right company name and legal structure.

03. Market analysis and research

The market analysis section of your tow truck business plan delves into the competitive landscape of the towing industry. Conduct thorough research to understand market trends, customer preferences, and your competitors' strengths and weaknesses. Identify your target market and analyze their needs, ensuring that your services align with their expectations.

Effective market research allows you to develop a strategic business approach that highlights your competitive advantages. This insight helps you tailor your services, pricing, and marketing strategies to stand out in a crowded market.

04. Operations plan

The operations plan outlines the practical aspects of running your tow truck business. It includes details about your business location, facilities, equipment and staffing requirements. Specify the number and types of tow trucks you'll need, along with any specialized equipment for efficient service delivery.

Determine the optimal location for your business, considering factors such as proximity to high-traffic areas and accessibility. Outline staffing needs (including drivers, dispatchers, mechanics and administrative staff), highlighting the qualifications and roles required for each position.

05. Marketing and advertising plan

The marketing and advertising plan outlines the strategies and campaigns you'll employ to promote your tow truck business. Focus on a mix of online and offline marketing efforts to reach your target audience effectively.

Online strategies may include making a business website , utilizing social media platforms for engagement and employing search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to increase your online visibility. Offline efforts could involve partnerships with local auto repair shops, distributing flyers and participating in community events.

06. Financial plan

The financial plan is a crucial component of your tow truck business plan. It details your startup costs, projected income, expenses and profitability timelines. Determine your initial funding sources, whether through personal savings, loans or investments. Include estimates for business registration ( starting an LLC for example), vehicle acquisition, equipment, employee salaries, maintenance and marketing expenses.

Develop realistic financial projections for the first few years of operation, factoring in things like seasonal fluctuations, competition and market growth. Your financial plan demonstrates your understanding of the financial aspects of your business and helps potential investors assess the viability of your venture.

steps to developing a business plan

Example of a tow truck business plan

Here’s a draft of a business plan template for hypothetical tow truck business. Keep in mind that this is a simplified template and you can modify and expand it according to your specific needs and ideas.

TowPro Towing Solutions business plan

Part 1: executive summary

TowPro Towing Solutions is dedicated to offering top-tier towing services to the urban and suburban regions of Crescent City. With a focus on prompt, professional and reliable assistance, we aim to redefine the towing experience for stranded motorists. Our fleet of advanced tow trucks, operated by experienced professionals, will set new standards in the industry.

At TowPro, our core values center around customer satisfaction, safety and efficiency. By providing unparalleled service, we strive to become the preferred choice for towing needs in Crescent City and surrounding areas. Our comprehensive business plan outlines our strategy for success and sustainable growth.

Part 2: company and domain names

We've chosen the name "TowPro Towing Solutions" to reflect our expertise and commitment to professionalism. Our domain name, www.TowProSolutions.com, complements our brand identity and ensures easy online access for our customers.

Part 3: marketing analysis and research

Our extensive market research has highlighted a consistent demand for dependable towing services in Crescent City due to its busy roadways and high incidence of breakdowns. TowPro aims to address this demand by offering specialized towing solutions that cater to various vehicle types and situations.

Through competitive analysis, we've identified a need for exceptional customer service and transparency within the towing industry. By emphasizing these aspects, TowPro seeks to differentiate itself from competitors and build lasting relationships with clients.

Part 4: operations plan

TowPro's operational hub will be strategically located to cover Crescent City and neighboring areas efficiently. Our fleet will comprise a variety of tow trucks, including flatbeds and wheel-lifts, to cater to different vehicle sizes and towing requirements. A team of well-trained drivers, dispatchers, mechanics and administrative staff will ensure smooth operations around the clock.

Part 5: marketing and advertising plan

Our marketing strategy combines online and offline tactics to build brand awareness and reach our target audience effectively. A user-friendly website will showcase our services, rates and contact information, making it easy for customers to engage with us. Social media platforms will be leveraged for engagement, customer interaction and advertising campaigns.

We'll also collaborate with local auto repair shops and insurance agencies to establish referral partnerships. Additionally, community engagement through sponsorships of local events and participation in safety workshops will contribute to our reputation as a reliable towing service.

Part 6: financial plan

The financial plan outlines the initial investment required to launch TowPro Towing Solutions, covering vehicle procurement, equipment, staffing and marketing expenses. We anticipate an initial funding of $200,000 through a mix of personal savings and a small business loan.

Based on thorough financial projections, we expect to achieve profitability within the first two years. Our revenue forecast considers factors such as service demand, competition and market trends—while our expense estimates encompass all operational costs, allowing us to make informed decisions about pricing and resource allocation.

TowPro Towing Solutions is poised to make a significant impact in the towing industry by providing exceptional services in Crescent City. With a comprehensive business plan in place, we are confident in our ability to offer timely assistance, build strong customer relationships and establish TowPro as a trusted and dependable towing partner.

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Towing Business Plan Template & Guidebook

If you're looking to start or grow your towing business, having a comprehensive business plan can be invaluable. The #1 Towing Business Plan Template & Guidebook offers a comprehensive and easy-to-follow outline for entrepreneurs looking to launch their own towing enterprise. This guidebook provides helpful tips, actionable strategies, and key insights into creating a successful towing business that can stand the test of time.

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  • How to Start a Profitable Towing Business [11 Steps]

How to Write a Towing Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your towing business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your towing business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a towing business:

Our mission at ABC Towing is to provide fast, reliable, and professional towing services at a fair price for our customers across the Greater New York City region. We will strive to deliver exceptional customer service and be recognized as the premier provider of towing services in our local community.

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2. Products & Services Offered by Your Towing Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your towing business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is my business?
  • What are the products and/or services that I offer?
  • Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
  • How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
  • How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

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3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your towing business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your towing business includes the following elements:

Target market

  • Who is your target market?
  • What do these customers have in common?
  • How many of them are there?
  • How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

  • Who are your current customers? 
  • Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
  • How can their experience with your towing business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

  • How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
  • Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
  • Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
  • How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

  • Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
  • Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
  • What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

  • Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
  • What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
  • What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
  • How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

towing business plan pdf

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

  • The equipment and facilities needed
  • Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
  • Financial requirements for each step
  • Milestones & KPIs
  • Location of your business
  • Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a towing business?

Equipment needed to run a towing business can include:

  • Tie-down straps and/or chains
  • Winches or winch bars
  • Wheel lift bars and attachments
  • Lights, sirens and radios for communication
  • Safety triangles and cones

Supplies needed to run a towing business can include:

  • Replacement oil, antifreeze, and other fluids for towed vehicles
  • Spare fuses, light bulbs, fuel filters, and other parts as needed for repairs on a tow truck or towed vehicle

Permits needed to run a towing business can vary depending on the locality in which the business is based. Common permits are auto-towing permits, business licenses, occupancy permits, signs permits, vehicle confiscation permits, etc.

5. Management & Organization of Your Towing Business.

The second part of your towing business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

  • How many employees you need in order to run your towing business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
  • The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
  • How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Towing Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a towing business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a towing business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your towing business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your towing business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your towing business plan:

  • Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
  • Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
  • Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
  • Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
  • Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
  • Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

towing business plan pdf

Frequently Asked Questions About Towing Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a towing business.

A business plan is essential for any business that wants to organize and clarify their strategy, objectives, and the resources needed to achieve them. A business plan for a towing business should include an overview of the current market trends, a description of the services you will offer, an identification of your target customers, an analysis of potential competitors, financial projections and capital requirements. The plan should also outline your unique selling points and how you intend to manage and grow the business.

Who should you ask for help with your towing business plan?

It may be beneficial to consult a business advisor, accountant, lawyer, or other professionals who have experience creating and managing business plans. They will be able to provide detailed advice and resources to help you create a successful towing business plan.

Can you write a towing business plan yourself?

Yes, it is possible to write a towing business plan yourself. Writing a business plan is not difficult and you can choose the format that best suits your needs. It should include an executive summary, market analysis, industry research, competitor analysis, marketing plan, operations plan and financial projections. Once you have completed these sections your plan should be ready to present to potential investors or lenders.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

Towing Company Business Plan Template

🚚 towing company business plan template: steering your tow service to success 🛠.

Launch or Expand Your Towing Empire with Our Custom Business Plan Template Designed for the Roadside Assistance Industry!

📄 Towing Company Business Plan Template Introduction

Introducing our Towing Company Business Plan Template, a comprehensive guide crafted for entrepreneurs gearing up to start or grow a towing service. This template outlines a clear path for establishing a reliable, efficient towing company, combining industry know-how with strategic business planning.

🌟 Key Highlights

  • Word Document Template A customizable and editable template, specifically designed to meet the unique challenges and opportunities of the towing and recovery industry.
  • Executive Summary A succinct, compelling summary that captures the essence of your towing company, essential for attracting investors, partnerships, and customers in need of your services.
  • Company Description A detailed section to outline your company’s mission, services offered, and what sets your towing service apart in the competitive market.
  • Towing Industry Analysis Basic analysis of the towing market, offering insights into current trends, customer needs, and the competitive landscape to strategically position your business.
  • Organizational Structure A clear depiction of your company's structure, detailing roles and the operational workflow for efficient service delivery.
  • Marketing Strategies Tailored marketing plans designed to effectively promote your towing services, focusing on digital marketing, local SEO, and building strong relationships with automotive businesses.
  • Funding Request Guidance on formulating a persuasive funding proposal to secure the necessary capital for starting or expanding your towing operations.
  • 12-month profit and loss forecast.
  • 5-year pro forma income statement.
  • A user-friendly, adaptable Excel File.
  • Flexibility to adjust revenue streams, operational costs, and staffing.
  • Detailed financial analysis for informed business decision-making.

🛠 Tailored for Towing Service Excellence

Our template is crafted for adaptability, allowing you to customize each component to suit the specific needs of your towing company. The Excel financial model is an essential tool for managing your finances, adapting to the unique dynamics of the towing service industry.

🚨 Building a Foundation for Your Towing Business

Begin your journey in the towing industry with a strategic and comprehensive business plan. Our Towing Company Business Plan Template is not just a document; it’s a roadmap to creating a successful and dependable towing service.

📥 Ready to Hook Your Business Goals?

Take the first step towards a thriving towing company. Click HERE to access this vital resource and start planning the future of your roadside assistance venture.

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Towing Company Business Plan Template!

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"Free" Business Plan Templates

  • Pretty Cool - Business Plan Structure
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  • Even MORE Awesome -Template Written by Paul Borosky, MBA.
  • - Fill-in-the-highlighted-areas Format
  • - Completed Pricing Strategy
  • - SWOT Analysis Completed
  • - Organizational Chart
  • - Funding Request Section
  • - Step-by-Step Tutorial for Business Plan Doc.
  • - Step-by-Step Tutorial for Financial Projections Model

Quality Business Plan Templates

  • Excellent - Industry-Related Research ($100 value)
  • Awesome - Customized Financial Projections for your Industry ($300 value)
  • Even MORE Awesome - Template Written by Paul Borosky, MBA.
  • Plus... - Fill-in-the-highlighted-areas Format
  • Plus... - Completed Pricing Strategy
  • Plus... - SWOT Analysis Completed
  • Plus... - Organizational Chart... Done!
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  • Plus... - Step-by-Step Tutorial for Business Plan Doc.
  • Plus... - Step-by-Step Tutorial for Financial Projections Model

Towing Company Business Plan Templates Includes:

  • Executive Summary
  • Company Description
  • Towing Company-related Industry Analysis INCLUDED!
  • Organizational Structure for a typical Towing Company.
  • Marketing structure for Towing Company usage.
  • Funding Request
  • 12-month profit and loss statement
  • 5-year pro forma income statement
  • Basic customizable Excel File
  • Ability to change revenues, costs, and labor.
  • 12 Profit and Loss
  • 5 Yr Annual Projections.

Instructional Video:

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Hooking Success: The Ultimate Towing Company Business Plan Template

Accelerating toward towing triumphs.

Quality Business Plan introduces a Towing Company business plan template, expertly pieced together as a customizable Word document and Excel financial model. This indispensable toolkit is designed for entrepreneurs venturing into the towing industry or those looking to drive their existing towing service to new heights. It provides a focused, industry-relevant framework for business planning, essential for navigating the competitive and demanding world of towing services.

A Strategic Roadmap for Towing Business Mastery

This all-encompassing template lays out the essential steps for creating and growing a successful towing company. It features crucial sections such as an Executive Summary, Company Description, Industry Analysis, Organizational Structure, and Marketing Strategies. Each segment is meticulously structured to tackle the unique operational and market challenges of a towing service, ensuring a comprehensive and implementable business plan.

Simplified Planning with Expert Navigation

Understanding the complexities of business planning in the towing sector, Quality Business Plan offers accessible tutorial support. These guides, available on their website, assist users through each component of the template, making the planning process manageable and straightforward, particularly for those new to the towing industry.

Marketing Strategies for Maximum Roadside Impact

Effective marketing is key for a towing company to stand out and attract a steady flow of customers. The template includes detailed marketing strategies, utilizing both digital platforms and local networking, crucial for building brand visibility and establishing trust within the community.

Financial Blueprint for a Thriving Towing Operation

Robust financial planning is the foundation of a successful towing company. The template features a comprehensive financial planning section, including a Funding Request and detailed financial projections like 12-month profit and loss statements and 5-year pro forma income statements, tailored specifically for the towing industry.

Conclusion: Steering Toward Success in the Towing Industry

In conclusion, Quality Business Plan's Towing Company business plan template is more than just a document; it's a strategic guide to success in the towing sector. This template equips entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and insights to launch or expand their towing service, paving the way for a successful, resilient, and profitable business in the vital service of towing.

Financial Model, Business Plan and Dashboard Templates - FinModelsLab

How To Write a Business Plan for Towing Company in 9 Steps: Checklist

By henry sheykin, resources on towing company.

  • Financial Model
  • Business Plan
  • Value Proposition
  • One-Page Business Plan
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Business Model
  • Marketing Plan

Welcome to our guide on how to write a business plan for a towing company in the US. The towing industry has seen steady growth in recent years, with an annual revenue of over $7 billion in 2020. With more vehicles on the road and the need for reliable towing services, starting a towing company can be a lucrative business opportunity. In this blog post, we will walk you through the nine essential steps to help you create a solid business plan for your towing company, ensuring its success in this competitive market.

Define The Business Concept And Goals

The first step in writing a business plan for a towing company is to clearly define the business concept and goals. This involves determining the core services that your towing company will offer, such as flat-rate or per-mile towing, as well as any additional services you plan to provide.

It is important to identify what sets your towing company apart from the competition and what value you will bring to customers. This could include factors such as 24/7 availability, quick response times, or superior customer service.

  • Research the existing towing market in your area to understand the competition and identify any gaps in service that you can fulfill.
  • Consider conducting surveys or focus groups with potential customers to gather feedback and insights on their towing service needs and preferences.
  • Clearly define your long-term goals and objectives, such as expanding to multiple locations or diversifying into related services, and include them in your business plan.

Once you have a clear understanding of your business concept and goals, you can move on to the next step in the business plan writing process: conducting market research and assessing the competition.

Conduct Market Research And Assess The Competition

Market research plays a crucial role in understanding the towing industry and identifying potential opportunities and challenges. By conducting thorough market research, you can gain valuable insights into the current state of the market, customer preferences, and the competitive landscape.

When conducting market research for your towing company, consider the following:

  • Analyze the demand: Understand the demand for towing services in your target market. Identify the factors that drive this demand, such as the number of vehicles on the road, demographics, and local events or activities that may increase the need for towing services.
  • Identify competitors: Research and analyze your competitors to gain insights into their business models, pricing strategies, and the quality of their services. Pay attention to factors that set them apart, such as their reputation, customer reviews, and any unique offerings they provide.
  • Assess customer needs: Use surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gather information on what customers look for in a towing service. Understand their pain points, preferences, and expectations to tailor your business offerings and marketing strategies accordingly.
  • Explore potential markets: Consider the potential for expansion into different markets or niche segments within the towing industry. Identify untapped customer needs or geographical areas that may present opportunities for growth.

Tips for conducting market research and assessing competition:

  • Utilize online resources such as industry reports, trade publications, and online forums to gather information on market trends and competitor analysis.
  • Consider partnering with local businesses or organizations to gather insights and expand your network within the industry.
  • Seek feedback from potential customers through surveys or pilot programs to test the viability of your business concept.
  • Regularly monitor and update your market research to stay abreast of any changes in customer preferences, industry dynamics, or emerging competitors.

By conducting comprehensive market research and assessing the competition, you can gain a competitive edge and position your towing company for success in the market. This step will provide valuable information that will guide your decision-making process in the subsequent stages of developing your business plan.

Identify The Target Market And Customer Needs

Understanding your target market and their specific needs is crucial for the success of your towing company. By gaining insights into your potential customers, you can tailor your services to meet their requirements effectively. Here are a few key steps to identify your target market and understand their needs:

  • Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify the demographics, geographical location, and psychographics of your potential customers. This will help you determine who your services are most relevant to.
  • Customer Segmentation: After gathering data from your research, segment your target market into specific categories based on their characteristics, preferences, and behaviors. This will enable you to focus your marketing efforts and deliver targeted messages.
  • Identify Needs: Once you have segmented your target market, it's essential to identify their unique needs. Engage with potential customers through surveys, interviews, or social media interactions to understand their pain points, challenges, and expectations when it comes to towing services.
  • Competitor Analysis: Analyze your competitors' offerings to identify any gaps or areas where you can differentiate yourself. By understanding what other companies in the towing industry are lacking, you can better address the needs of your target market.

Tips for Identifying the Target Market and Customer Needs:

  • Utilize online tools and resources to gather demographic and psychographic data about your target market.
  • Engage with potential customers through surveys or focus groups to gain insights into their preferences and pain points.
  • Monitor online reviews and feedback from customers to understand their experiences and expectations.
  • Regularly evaluate and update your target market and customer needs as they may evolve over time.

By accurately identifying your target market and understanding their needs, you can develop services and marketing strategies that resonate with your customers. This will not only attract their attention but also build loyalty and trust, leading to long-term success for your towing company.

Determine The Legal And Regulatory Requirements

When starting a towing company, it is important to understand the legal and regulatory requirements that govern the industry. These requirements vary from state to state, so it is crucial to research the specific regulations in the area where you plan to operate.

Here are some key legal and regulatory considerations to keep in mind:

  • Licensing: Check with your state's department of transportation or motor vehicles to determine if a towing license is required to operate in your area. You may need to complete an application, provide proof of insurance, and pass an exam or background check.
  • Insurance: Towing companies typically require commercial auto insurance to protect your vehicles, towed vehicles, and liability coverage for potential damages or injuries.
  • Permits and Certifications: Some states or local municipalities may require additional permits or certifications to operate a towing company. This could include permits for impounding or operating on highways .
  • Compliance: Familiarize yourself with transportation safety and compliance regulations to ensure your towing company operates within the law. This may include adhering to weight limits, proper vehicle maintenance, and following driver qualifications.
  • Environmental Considerations: Towing companies often handle hazardous substances, such as spilled fluids from damaged vehicles. Ensure you are aware of and compliant with any environmental regulations regarding the handling and disposal of these substances.
  • Contractual Agreements: Establish contracts and agreements with local law enforcement, insurance companies, and other potential clients who may require your services. Consult with legal counsel to draft these agreements to protect your interests.
  • Consult with a business attorney or industry expert who can provide guidance on the specific legal and regulatory requirements for your towing company.
  • Stay updated on changes or amendments to existing regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
  • Consider joining industry associations or organizations that provide resources and support for towing companies, which can help stay informed about regulatory changes.

Develop A Pricing Strategy And Revenue Model

Developing a pricing strategy and revenue model is a crucial step in creating a successful business plan for your towing company. By carefully considering your costs, customer preferences, and competitive landscape, you can establish pricing that not only covers your expenses but also maximizes your profit potential.

1. Understand your costs: Start by determining all the costs associated with running your towing company, including equipment, fuel, insurance, labor, and maintenance. This will help you determine your break-even point and set a baseline for your pricing.

2. Research the market: Conduct market research to understand the pricing strategies and fee structures used by other towing companies in your area. Analyze their pricing models and compare them to your own costs to ensure you remain competitive while still maintaining profitability.

3. Set your pricing structure: Decide whether you want to offer a flat-rate fee or a per-mile fee structure. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose the option that aligns best with your target market and business goals.

4. Consider add-on services: Explore the possibility of offering additional services such as roadside assistance or lockout services for an extra fee. These add-ons can increase your revenue potential while providing added value to your customers.

5. Determine pricing levels: Once you have established your pricing structure, determine different price points for various services and customer segments. Consider factors such as distance, vehicle size, and time of day to ensure fairness and profitability.

Tips for developing a successful pricing strategy:

  • Consider offering discounts for repeat customers or referrals. This can incentivize loyalty and drive customer acquisition.
  • Regularly review and adjust your pricing strategy based on market trends, costs, and customer feedback.
  • Do not underestimate the importance of price transparency. Clearly communicate your pricing structure to customers to build trust and avoid misunderstandings.
  • Keep an eye on your competitors' pricing to ensure you remain competitive while still maintaining profitability.

By carefully developing a pricing strategy and revenue model, you can ensure that your towing company not only covers its costs but also generates a sustainable and profitable income. Remember to regularly review and adjust your pricing strategy to stay competitive in the market and consistently meet your customers' needs.

Create A Comprehensive Financial Plan And Budget

Creating a comprehensive financial plan and budget is crucial for the success of your towing company. It provides a clear roadmap for your financial goals and helps you make informed decisions about your business. Here are the steps to create an effective financial plan and budget:

  • Assess your startup costs: Determine the initial expenses required to start your towing company, such as purchasing tow trucks, equipment, insurance, and marketing. It is crucial to have a realistic estimation of your startup costs to secure the necessary funding.
  • Estimate your operating expenses: Calculate your ongoing expenses, such as vehicle maintenance, fuel, employee salaries, insurance premiums, office rent, and marketing costs. Keep in mind that these expenses may vary over time, so it is essential to review and adjust your budget regularly.
  • Forecast your revenue: Analyze the market demand and competition to estimate your potential revenue. Consider factors such as the average customer base, pricing strategy, and add-on services to project your income accurately.
  • Projected Profit and Loss Statement: Prepare a profit and loss statement based on your revenue and expenses projections. This will give you a clear understanding of your expected profitability and allow you to make informed decisions about your business strategies.
  • Manage your cash flow: Cash flow management is crucial for any business, including a towing company. Identify your expected cash inflows and outflows to ensure you have sufficient liquidity to cover your expenses and investment needs.
  • Consider scalability: While creating your financial plan, factor in the potential growth and expansion of your towing business. Assess how your revenue, expenses, and profitability may change as you increase your fleet size, customer base, or service offerings.

Tips for Creating a Comprehensive Financial Plan and Budget:

  • Seek professional advice: Consult with an accountant or financial advisor who specializes in small businesses or the towing industry. They can provide valuable insights and help you make sound financial decisions.
  • Consider various scenarios: Develop multiple financial scenarios based on different assumptions, such as conservative, moderate, and aggressive projections. This will help you assess the risks and rewards associated with different strategies.
  • Review and update regularly: Your financial plan and budget should be seen as dynamic documents that require regular review and adjustments. Stay vigilant and make changes whenever necessary to stay on track and achieve your financial goals.

Secure Necessary Funding Or Investment

Securing necessary funding or investment is a crucial step in the process of starting a towing company. Without adequate financial resources, it will be challenging to cover the initial costs and establish a solid foundation for your business. Here are the key elements to consider when securing funding or investment:

  • Prepare a detailed financial plan: A comprehensive financial plan is essential when seeking funding or investment. It should include projected revenue, expenses, and cash flow analysis. This plan will demonstrate to potential investors or lenders that you have a clear understanding of your financial needs and how you plan to achieve profitability.
  • Explore different funding options: There are various funding options available for a towing company, including traditional bank loans, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, private investors, and crowdfunding. Research and evaluate each option to determine the best fit for your business.
  • Prepare a compelling business proposal: Alongside your financial plan, a well-written business proposal can significantly enhance your chances of securing funding or investment. The proposal should outline your company's mission, objectives, target market, competitive advantage, and growth strategies. It should also include a detailed analysis of the towing industry and your potential market share.
  • Network and make connections: Building relationships with potential investors or lenders can greatly increase your chances of securing funding. Attend industry conferences, networking events, and connect with other towing professionals. Building a strong network can open doors to valuable opportunities.
  • Consider alternative financing options: In addition to traditional funding sources, explore alternative financing options such as equipment leasing or lines of credit. These options can provide flexibility and help you manage cash flow effectively.

Tips for securing necessary funding or investment:

  • Be prepared and organized when approaching potential investors or lenders. Have all necessary documents and information readily available.
  • Highlight the unique aspects of your towing business that set you apart from competitors, such as your pricing structure or additional services offered.
  • Consider seeking guidance from a financial advisor or consultant who specializes in helping small businesses secure funding.
  • Be realistic and transparent about the risks associated with your business. Investors appreciate honesty and a realistic assessment of potential challenges.
  • Stay persistent and don't get discouraged if you face initial rejections. Funding can take time to secure, so continue to explore different options.

Develop A Marketing And Branding Strategy

Developing a strong marketing and branding strategy is crucial for the success of your towing company. It helps you build brand awareness, attract customers, and differentiate yourself from your competitors. Here are some important considerations when developing your marketing and branding strategy:

  • Identify your target audience: Understand who your ideal customers are and tailor your marketing efforts to reach them effectively. Consider factors such as demographics, location, and specific needs.
  • Create a compelling brand identity: Develop a unique brand identity that resonates with your target audience. This includes designing a memorable logo, slogan, and consistent visual elements that represent your towing company.
  • Utilize both online and offline channels: Take advantage of various marketing channels to reach a wider audience. This could include establishing a strong online presence through a website, social media platforms, and online directories. Additionally, consider traditional offline marketing methods such as print ads, billboards, and sponsorship opportunities in your local community.
  • Highlight your unique selling points: Clearly communicate your towing company's unique selling points to potential customers. This could be your flat-rate or per-mile fee structure, add-on services, 24/7 availability, or quick response time. Emphasizing these aspects can help differentiate your business from competitors.
  • Build partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses, such as auto repair shops, insurance companies, or car dealerships, to establish mutually beneficial partnerships. These partnerships can help increase your visibility and referrals.
  • Offer promotions and incentives: Attract new customers and generate repeat business by offering promotions, discounts, or referral incentives. This encourages customers to choose your towing services over others and helps build a loyal customer base.
  • Consistency is key when it comes to branding. Ensure that your brand message, visuals, and tone of voice are consistent across all marketing channels.
  • Monitor and analyze the results of your marketing efforts regularly. This will help you identify what strategies are working well and what may need adjustment.
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and technologies to stay ahead of your competition.

Build A Strong Team And Establish Key Partnerships

Building a strong team is essential for the success of your towing company. Surrounding yourself with skilled and dedicated individuals will ensure efficient operations and provide a positive experience for your customers. Consider the following key factors when building your team:

  • Identify the necessary roles and responsibilities within your towing company. Determine the skill sets required for each position and recruit individuals who possess those qualities.
  • Seek out experienced individuals from the towing industry who can bring expertise and knowledge to your team. Look for candidates who have a proven track record of providing exceptional service and have a strong understanding of the industry's best practices.
  • Provide thorough training and ongoing professional development opportunities for your team members. This will not only enhance their skills but also demonstrate your commitment to their growth and success.
  • Cultivate a positive and collaborative work environment. Foster open communication and encourage teamwork among your employees. This will help create a strong and cohesive team that can effectively handle any challenges or situations that may arise.

Tips for Building a Strong Team:

  • Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member to avoid confusion and promote accountability.
  • Encourage ongoing communication and feedback among team members to foster a collaborative and supportive environment.
  • Invest in team-building activities and initiatives to strengthen bonds and enhance morale.

In addition to building a strong team, establishing key partnerships can greatly benefit your towing company. Collaborating with other businesses or organizations can open up new opportunities and provide access to a wider customer base. Consider the following when establishing partnerships:

  • Research potential partners in related industries such as auto repair shops, insurance companies, or vehicle rental agencies. Explore how a partnership with these entities can mutually benefit both parties.
  • Look for partners who share similar values and goals. Aligning your business with like-minded organizations can enhance your reputation and credibility in the market.
  • Create clear partnership agreements or contracts that outline the expectations and responsibilities of each party. This will help prevent misunderstandings and ensure a smooth working relationship.
  • Maintain regular communication with your partners to nurture the relationship and address any issues or concerns that may arise.

Tips for Establishing Key Partnerships:

  • Regularly evaluate the success of your partnerships to ensure they are still beneficial and aligned with your business goals.
  • Explore opportunities for cross-promotion or joint marketing initiatives to maximize the reach of your partnership.
  • Be open to new partnership opportunities that may arise as your towing company grows and evolves.

By building a strong team and establishing key partnerships, you can position your towing company for long-term success. Remember, investing in your team and fostering strong relationships with partners are crucial for driving growth and providing exceptional service to your customers.

In conclusion, writing a business plan for a towing company involves several important steps that will help you define your business concept, identify your target market, and establish a strong foundation for success. By conducting market research, determining legal requirements, and developing a comprehensive financial plan, you can position your towing company for growth and profitability. Additionally, by implementing a flat-rate or per-mile fee structure and offering add-on services, you can meet customer needs while generating additional revenue. With a well-rounded business plan, supported by a strong team and strategic partnerships, your towing company can thrive in the competitive industry.

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Tow Truck Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Tow Truck Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Tow Truck business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Tow Truck businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your tow truck business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

TJ’s Tow Truck Service is a startup towing company located in Tacoma, Washington. The company was founded by Tory Jane Jamison, a tow truck driver who has driven tow trucks for a former employer for ten years. She was known among customers as the “most friendly and most experienced” tow truck driver they’d ever met and her former employer gave her the award most years as the “Best in Class Tow Truck Driver” within the company overall.

TJ’s Tow Truck Service will provide a comprehensive array of products and towing services, including towing of cars and pickup trucks, along with smaller recreational vehicles or trucks with trailers. In addition, services such as battery servicing, tire changes, lockouts, and fuel delivery are offered to customers in need of assistance. Because of Tory Jane’s background, her expertise in her role, and her customer reviews, she believes that she can start a successful tow truck business.

Product Offering

The following are the services that TJs Tow Truck Service will provide:

  • Towing services within a fifty-mile radius for cars, trucks and vans or small recreational vehicles
  • Proprietary app that offers up-to-the-minute service details for clients
  • Battery charges, startups, and servicing
  • Tire changes, repairs and installations
  • Lockout repair and key retrieval
  • Fuel delivery when vehicles is out of gas

Customer Focus

TJ’s Tow Truck Service will target residents within a fifty-mile radius. TJs Tow Truck Service will target interstate and state highway travelers within a fifty-mile radius. TJs Tow Truck Service will target retail tire stores, auto repair companies and insurance companies. Commercial fleets (businesses that use multiple vehicles and need long-term contracts) and law enforcement agencies will also be targeted.

Management Team

TJs Tow Truck Service will be owned and operated by Tori Jane Jamison. She recruited three former tow truck driver associates, Ron Harbinger, Track Masters, and Bill Acker, to join her business to take on management roles in the tow truck company.

Tori Jane Jamison started her career as a U.S. Marine, where she was assigned to a truck driving role and service attendant for the U.S. Marines. She served four years within that capacity and ended her career after those years with an exemplary record of duty and expertise in her field.

Ron Harbinger is a thoroughly experienced tow truck driver, with a twenty-year background of successfully towing vehicles of all sizes without a single “event” or “injury” attached to his service. Ron will take on the new role of Tow Truck Supervisor, overseeing the truck-driving team and handling all human resources issues.

Track Masters is a well-trained master of driving in all weather conditions, including snow, ice and thunderstorms. He has seven years of experience and will take on the role of Scheduling & Service Supervisor, overseeing the scheduling of service calls and the customer service environment overall.

Bill Acker is a veteran tow truck driver with almost twenty years of experience. He is joining the team as the Maintenance Supervisor, overseeing the care and safety of all tow trucks, including replacements, repair and serving of all vehicles on the property. He determines when roads are safe to travel or when other weather conditions or events preclude allowing drivers to venture out onto the area roadways.

Success Factors

TJs Tow Truck Service will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified team of TJs Tow Truck Service
  • Proprietary app that tracks services and allows up-to-the minute response times
  • Emergency service as requested by law enforcement or fire department
  • TJs Tow Trucks Service offers the best pricing in town. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.

Financial Highlights

TJs Tow Truck Service is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch TJs Tow Truck Service. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

  • Office space build-out: $20,000
  • Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
  • Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
  • Marketing costs: $10,000
  • Working capital: $10,000

The following graph outlines the financial projections for TJs Tow Truck Service.

TJs Tow Truck Service Pro Forma Projections

Company Overview

Who is tjs tow truck service.

TJs Tow Truck Service is a newly established, full-service tow truck company in Tacoma, Washington. TJs Tow Truck Service will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and efficient choice for residents and travelers in Tacoma and the surrounding communities. TJs Tow Truck Service will provide a comprehensive menu of products and services for any customer to utilize. Their full-service approach includes a comprehensive array of services to be offered to the analyst..

  TJs Tow Truck Service will be able to cover an extensive area of Tacoma, as well as the surrounding communities in several rural directions. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in towing and ancillary services. TJs Tow Truck Service removes all headaches and issues usually experienced by customers who need emergency towing and ensures all issues are taken care of expeditiously while delivering the best customer service.

TJs Tow Truck Service History

Since incorporation, TJs Tow Truck Service has achieved the following milestones:

  • Registered TJs Tow Truck Service, LLC to transact business in the state of Washington.
  • Has a contract in place at one of the office buildings, where the tow truck company will set up its 10,000 square foot staff lounge and office area.
  • Reached out to numerous contacts to include former customers as new customers.
  • Began recruiting a staff of six tow truck drivers and office personnel to work at TJs Tow Truck Service.

TJs Tow Truck Service Services

The following will be the services TJs Tow Truck Service will provide:

  • Roadside Assistance

Industry Analysis

The tow truck industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $39 billion. The growth will be driven by:

  • an increased number of calls for roadside assistance due to crowded freeways, self-driving cars, electric cars, and other forms of travel not yet known.
  • The growth will also be driven by an increased number of customers who own digitally-controlled vehicles that they cannot move (as when batteries die).
  • the increased number of accidents on roadways and highways. These will be due to an increase in semi-trucks on the highways and vehicles that crowd city streets.

The two truck industry costs will likely be reduced as tow truck products will be less-expensive to purchase from wholesalers or distributors and new methods of vehicle assistance will come into play, such as apps that can open locked vehicles, or apps that demonstrate the exact issue within the car when it stops unexpectedly.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

TJs Towing Service will target residents within a fifty-mile radius. TJs will target interstate and state highway travelers within a fifty-mile radius. They will target retail tire stores, auto repair companies and insurance companies. Commercial fleets (businesses that use multiple vehicles and need long-term contracts) and law enforcement agencies will also be targeted.

Customer Segmentation

TJs Tow Truck Service will primarily target the following customer profiles:

  • Residents of Tacoma, Washington and nearby regions
  • Travelers on highways in or near Tacoma, Washington
  • Retail tire stores
  • Auto repair companies
  • Insurance companies
  • Commercial fleets
  • Law enforcement agencies

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

TJs Tow Truck Service will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor towing truck company is below.

Midway Towing Services

Midway Towing Services is a tow truck service catering to the needs of medium-sized trucks and cars. Midway focuses on the unique requirements of these vehicles and provides assistance with an eye on safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Midway Towing Services is located 30 miles away from Tacoma, Washington and serves travelers on the highways the feed the web of freeways through Tacoma. The towing truck company does not typically take routine service calls, but remains committed to emergency services when charges for services will be more lucrative for the company.

Midway Towing Services is owned by a partnership of family members who concentrate on the superior usage of their trucks and they ensure that medium-weight vehicles, including other tow trucks, vans, box trucks and others can be lifted and towed successfully. The company operates on a 24-hour a day basis and offers a special “Snow Package” to put chains onto trucks and heavy vehicles on a discounted basis.

Titan Towing Solutions

Titan Towing Solutions is owned and operated by Jack Higgins, a former semi-truck driver with over twenty years of experience. Titan Towing Solutions is focused on one type of customer: semi-trucks on the highways or city roadways that need either scheduled assistance or emergency assistance. The company does not offer roadway assistance for any other class of vehicle. Titan Towing Solutions has been in business since 1999 and has garnered several community awards and the “Most Reliable Towing Company in Tacoma.”

Titan Towing Solutions offers products to semi-truck drivers within a small convenience store that can ease the pains of driving shifts; such as semi-truck accessories, snow removal products, apparel, refreshing beverages, caffeine-loaded sodas, snacks and packaged appetizers.

AutoCall Roadway Services

Autocall Roadway Services is a retail store and tire repair service center that also provides tow truck service when the single tow truck owned by the company is available. The main theme of the AutoCall Roadway Services company is that driver safety of vehicles is the most important aspect of driving, so the company representatives will often stop to assist any driver with information or offers to call for tow truck service. As a for-profit company, the retail-comfort side of products available for purchase by drivers is the primary driver of revenue, rather than those of a tow truck service company.

Autocall Roadways Services prides itself on being open 24/7 every day of the year and offers an inventory of multiple food and beverage choices for drivers.

Competitive Advantage

TJs Tow Truck Service will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

  • TJs Tow Truck Service offers the best pricing in town. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

TJs Tow Truck Service will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

  • Highly-qualified team of skilled employees that is able to provide a comprehensive array of towing services and vehicle products for everyday or emergency use.
  • Proprietary app that allows up-to-the-minutes resources and response times for clients.
  • Unbeatable pricing for customers; they will offer the lowest pricing in Tacoma.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for TJs Tow Truck Service is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

TJs Tow Truck Service has built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by providing exceptional service and expertise to former customers. Those customers have already indicated they will use TJs Tow Truck Service when services or products are needed. They’ve also agreed to help spread the word of TJs Tow Truck Service.

Print Advertising

Direct mail response cards will be mailed to all residents, select businesses, and law enforcement procurement offices in the region. The offer will be a discount on services during the first three months of service. In addition, an offer to provide long-term contract pricing will be added for law enforcement or commercial fleet companies.

Website/SEO Marketing

TJs Tow Truck Service will fully utilize their website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services and products that TJs Tow Truck Service provides. The website will also list their contact information and a map of regional service areas. The website will utilize SEO marketing tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “tow truck company” or “towing near me”, TJs Tow Truck Service will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of TJs Tow Truck Service will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for TJs Tow Truck Service. Operation Functions:

  • Tori Jane Jamison will be the Owner and President of the company. She will oversee all staff and manage client relations. Tori Jane has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
  • Ron Harbinger, a thoroughly experienced tow truck driver, with twenty years of experience, will become the Tow Truck Supervisor, overseeing the drivers and handling all human resource issues.
  • Track Masters is a master of all-weather driving and has been a tow truck driver for seven years. He will take on the role of Scheduling & Service Supervisor, overseeing the service calls and customer service.
  • Bill Acker, also an experienced tow truck driver, will become the Maintenance Supervisor, overseeing the care and safety of all tow trucks, including replacements, repair and serving of all vehicles on the property.

Milestones:

TJs Tow Truck Service will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

  • 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space
  • 5/15/202X – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for TJs Tow Truck Service
  • 6/1/202X – Finalize contracts for TJs Tow Truck Service clients
  • 6/15/202X – Begin networking at community events
  • 6/22/202X – Begin moving into TJs Tow Truck Service office
  • 7/1/202X – TJs Tow Truck Service opens its doors for business

TJs Tow Truck Service will be owned and operated by Tori Jane Jamison. She recruited three former tow truck driver associates, Ron Harbinger, Track Masters, and Bill Acker, to join her business to take on management roles in the startup company.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for TJs Tow Truck Service are the fees they will charge to customers for the products and services they provide.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff TJs Tow Truck Service. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

TJs Tow Truck Service is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its tow truck driving company. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

  • Number of Customers Per Month: 65
  • Average Revenue per Month: $162,000
  • Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, tow truck business plan faqs, what is a thrift store business plan.

A thrift store business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your thrift store business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Thrift Store business plan using our Thrift Store Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Thrift Store Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of thrift store businesses , some examples include: Vintage thrift store, Consignment thrift store, and Goodwill thrift store.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Thrift Store Business Plan?

Thrift Store businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Thrift Store Business?

Starting a thrift store business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Thrift Store Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed thrift store business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your thrift store business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your thrift store business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Thrift Store Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your thrift store business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your thrift store business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Thrift Store Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your thrift store business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your thrift store business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful thrift store business:

  • How to Start a Thrift Store

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How to Start a Tow Truck Business

start a tow truck business

Starting a tow truck business can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful tow truck business.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a tow truck business is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start a Tow Truck Business :

  • Choose the Name for Your Tow Truck Business
  • Develop Your Tow Truck Business Plan
  • Choose the Legal Structure for Your Tow Truck Business
  • Secure Startup Funding for Your Tow Truck Business (If Needed)
  • Secure a Location for Your Business
  • Register Your Tow Truck Business with the IRS
  • Open a Business Bank Account
  • Get a Business Credit Card
  • Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
  • Get Business Insurance for Your Tow Truck Business
  • Buy or Lease the Right Tow Truck Business Equipment
  • Develop Your Tow Truck Business Marketing Materials
  • Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Tow Truck Business
  • Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Tow Truck Business

The first step to starting a tow truck business is to choose your business’ name.  

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your own towing company:

  • Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
  • Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
  • Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your tow truck business.

2. Develop Your Tow Truck Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting a successful towing company is to develop your tow truck business plan . The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise capital for your business.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

  • Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your tow truck business.
  • Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your tow truck business and what type of tow truck business you operate. For example, are you a passenger car towing business, a commercial vehicle towing business, a repossession towing business, or a specialty towing business. 
  • Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the tow truck industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
  • Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target market are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing services like the ones you will offer?
  • Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
  • Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
  • Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
  • Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
  • Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
  • Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your tow truck business? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
  • Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
  • Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
  • Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
  • What startup costs will you incur?
  • How will your tow truck business make money?
  • What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
  • Do you need to raise funding to launch your business

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

3. choose the legal structure for your tow truck business.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your tow truck business and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the owner of the tow truck business and the business are the same legal entity. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small businesses. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start a tow truck business together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a tow truck business include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a tow truck business is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your tow truck business, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

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4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Tow Truck Business (If Needed)

In developing your tow truck business plan , you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for a tow truck business to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a tow truck business that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

When starting a towing business, it’s important to find the right location. You’ll want to choose a place that is central to a maximum number of highways. You’ll also need to consider your parking situation, as you’ll need to be able to store your trucks and equipment on-site. Different locations have different pros and cons, so you’ll need to consider your own individual situation when choosing the best place for your business.

6. Register Your Tow Truck Business with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your tow truck business’ name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

  • Identify and contact the bank you want to use
  • Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
  • Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
  • Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your tow truck business to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

The licenses and permits you will need to start a tow truck business depend on your state. You may need a business license, a tow truck operator license, and a vehicle storage license. You may also need to get permits for certain tow truck equipment, such as a wrecker boom. Learn more about the types of licenses and permits you are required to have in your state or jurisdiction by contacting your local Department of Transportation.

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Tow Truck Business

The type of insurance you need to operate a tow truck business depends on the state in which you reside. Contact your state’s department of insurance for more information.

Some of the business insurance policies that you should consider for your tow truck business include:

  • General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
  • Auto-liability insurance: t his covers you when you’re at fault during an accident and must cover the other driver’s medical and property expenses.
  • Physical damage insurance: T his covers any necessary repairs to your tow truck during an accident.
  • Comprehensive coverage: This is useful when your vehicle is damaged outside a collision, such as fire, theft, falling objects, or collision with an animal.
  • On-hook coverage: This is necessary for protecting you should any vehicles get damaged while hooked up to your tow truck.
  • Uninsured motorist insurance: This covers any injury to you or your passenger caused by a driver who doesn’t have insurance or during a hit-and-run incident .
  • Workers’ compensation insurance : If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs. 

11. Buy or Lease the Right Tow Truck Business Equipment

In order to run a tow truck business, you’ll need the following towing equipment: 

  • License plate reader 
  • Two way radio 
  • Computer with internet access 
  • Smartphone 
  • Tow truck software 
  • Dash camera  

There are a lot of options out there all at different price points. 

It is important before you make a purchase that you do some research into these products and see what will suit your needs best. Some tow operators have specific requirements that will need to be considered when choosing their equipment, for example, fleet operators will likely require more robust tow vehicles with heavier towing capacities while single operators may not need these capacities.

12. Develop Your Tow Truck Business Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your tow truck business.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

  • Logo : Spend some time developing a good logo for your tow truck business. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
  • Website : Likewise, a professional tow truck business website provides potential customers with information about the services you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
  • Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your tow truck business.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Tow Truck Business

To run a tow truck business, you will need software to manage your finances, dispatch trucks, and track customers. Some popular software programs for towing companies include QuickBooks, dispatching software like TOWsmart, and customer management software like GoldMine.

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your tow truck business. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.  

Additional Resources

Tow Truck Mavericks

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How to Start a Tow Truck Business FAQs

Where can i download a towing company business plan pdf.

You can download our Towing Company business plan PDF  here. This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Is it hard to start a tow truck business?

No, it's not hard to start a tow truck business. All you need is a commercial driver's license, a tow truck in good condition, and the right equipment. To get started in this field, one must be 18 years or older and have a good driving record. It is also necessary to have a good credit rating.

How can I start a tow truck business with no experience?

If you're thinking of starting your own tow truck business, there are a few things you need to know. First, you'll need to research the industry and find out what kind of regulations and permits you'll need to operate legally. You'll also need to come up with a business plan and find some investors or partners who can help you get started. Finally, you'll need to find a good location for your business and hire qualified tow truck drivers .

What type of tow truck business is most profitable?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it largely depends on the specific area in which the tow truck business is operating. However, a tow truck business that specializes in towing large vehicles, such as buses and trucks, is likely to be more profitable than one that specializes in towing smaller cars.

How much does it cost to start a tow truck business?

A new tow truck business’ startup costs are largely dependent on the type of tow truck purchased. Tow trucks can cost anywhere from around $60,000 to $850,000. However, once this major expense is factored in, there are a number of other expenses that should be considered when starting a tow truck business, such as insurance, licensing fees, and marketing costs.

What are the ongoing expenses for a tow truck business?

The ongoing expenses for a tow truck business are the costs that are incurred on a regular basis in order to keep the business running. This includes things like the cost of insurance, the cost of licenses, the cost of gasoline, and the cost of maintaining the towing vehicles . 

How does a tow truck business make money?

Towing businesses make money by charging a fee for towing a vehicle. The fee is usually based on the size of the vehicle, the distance it was towed, and the time of day. Towing businesses usually have set rates that are regulated by local ordinances or laws. They also bill for things like administrative fees and storage charges.

Tow truck businesses also make money by selling auto parts and accessories from older vehicles that they have taken in as scraps. Tow truck companies might also choose to focus on a specific type of services such as impounding abandoned vehicles or providing various forms of management for parking facilities such as issuing tickets, unlocking cars that have been towed, etc.

Tow truck companies can also make money by offering towing services through contracts that are negotiated with other businesses or institutions.

Is owning a tow truck business profitable?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the profitability of a towing company will depend on a variety of factors, including the location of the business, the type of services offered, and the competition in the area. However, in general, tow truck companies can be profitable if they are run efficiently and offer high-quality services.

Why do tow truck businesses fail?

The most common reason is a lack of customer base. If there is no one who needs a tow truck, the business won't succeed. Another reason is price. If tow truck companies charge too much for their services, they will not get enough work. The last reason that a business might fail is if it charges too little for its services. Even if the business manages to become well-known, it won't be profitable and will face bankruptcy.

To avoid this fate, many tow truck companies work to increase demand or decrease expenses. No tow truck company will be able to succeed if it charges too much, so companies should aim to charge a competitive price.

Tow truck companies must be competitive with their prices to avoid bankruptcy, but they also need enough customers. To accomplish this, tow truck business owners have to find the optimal price for their services.

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Business-in-a-Box's Towing Company Business Plan Template

Towing Company Business Plan Template

Document description.

This towing company business plan template has 24 pages and is a MS Word file type listed under our business plan kit documents.

Sample of our towing company business plan template:

[YOUR COMPANY NAME] INSERT IMAGE/LOGO [YOUR COMPANY NAME] [YOUR NAME] [YOUR CITY], [YOUR STATE/PROVINCE] [YOUR ZIP/POSTAL CODE] [YOUR COUNTRY] [[email protected]] [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]

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Business Plan Templates

Towing Company Business Plan

Services, local markets and financial considerations are all accounted for in this free, printable business plan for towing companies.

towing business plan pdf

Sample text from Towing Company Business Plan:

1.0 Executive Summary

Introduction

COMPANY NAME is a roadside assistance and towing company that serves the communities of [COUNTY] and [COUNTY] Counties in northern [STATE]. The firm was established 10 years ago and currently operates 4 flat bed tow trucks, serving as an independent contractor for the three major car club organizations that serve northern [STATE] (AAA, Cross Country Club, and US Auto Club). COMPANY NAME mission is to serve the community, believing a car break-down should not ruin you day.

The firm is located in [CITY], [STATE] and serves the metropolitan area.

The Organization

The firm is 100% owned and managed full-time by INSERT NAME, an experienced entrepreneur who previously owned a messenger/package delivery service and 3 used car dealerships.

• Heavy-Duty Towing & Recovery

• Light-Duty Towing & Roadside Services

• Emergency Roadside Services For Autos, Vans, SUVs, Light Trucks, Motor Homes

• Jump-starts

• Fuel Delivery

• Standard Vehicle Tire Changes

• Local & Long-Distance Towing

• Roadside Services for Trucks

The firm serves northern [STATE], an area with very high household income due to the heavy presence of government jobs and government related positions and the very high pension income of government retirees. This makes the area somewhat recession proof and the two counties have a combined population of 1,248,000.

Financial Considerations

COMPANY NAME produced $386,000 in sales in 2009 and a net loss of (-$80,000). The firm is projecting $850,000 sales in 2001 and a $78,000 net profit for 2011. The borrower is now requesting $500,000 in grant funding in order to expand the business by purchasing 3 trucks, hiring 3-5 drivers, and hiring 2 office workers. The firm also needs $25,200 held in cash.

The major focus for grant funding is as follows:

1. The firm is a 100% minority-owned.

2. The firm has existing clearance to serve various U.S. government agencies, including the military; and would be available during a state of emergency.

3. Hire employees; the Organization will look to hire veterans, minorities and the unemployed

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Towing Business

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Towing Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on October 14, 2021 Updated on March 13, 2024

How to Start a Towing Business

Investment range

$18,000 - $66,000

Revenue potential

$60,000 - $89,000 p.a.

Time to build

0 - 3 months

Profit potential

$40,000 - $62,000 p.a.

Industry trend

We like to be on the move, zipping here and there, but the sad truth is that cars do sometimes break down. That’s why vehicle towing in the US is an $11 billion industry. It’s also a growth market, so if you enjoy driving and helping people out of tight spots, you could start a towing business, be your own boss, and grab a slice of this massive market. 

Starting any kind of business, however, takes a lot of work. The key is to obtain the right knowledge and avoid all the usual mistakes. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place, as this step-by-step guide lays out all you need to know to launch a successful towing business.

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Starting a towing business requires time and effort. You need to fully understand what is involved before you decide if it’s right for you. 

Pros and cons

  • Fast and easy to start; no expertise required
  • Flexibility — can start from home
  • Cars break down, so demand is constant
  • Trucks are expensive, which may hinder growth
  • Need to be available around the clock

Towing industry trends

As the pandemic recedes, people are sure to be moving about more, which means more vehicle breakdowns and greater demand for towing. All of this means there is a great deal of opportunity for the entrepreneur. 

Industry size and growth

  • Industry size and past growth – The US automobile towing industry is worth $11 billion in 2022, after growing more than 5% annually over the past five years.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/automobile-towing-united-states/ ))  
  • Growth forecast – The global towing market is projected to grow 4% annually through 2024.(( https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4835374/global-towing-vehicle-market-forecasts-from )) 
  • Number of businesses – There are 47,000 towing businesses in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/automobile-towing-united-states/ )) 
  • Number of people employed – The industry employs nearly 114,000 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/automobile-towing-united-states/ ))

towing industry size and growth

Trends and challenges

Trends in the towing industry include:

  • Higher probability of car accidents as more people return to onsite work
  • Advanced safety features in new cars

Challenges in the towing industry include:

  • Risk of accidents and injuries
  • Bad weather

towing industry Trends and Challenges

What kind of people work as tow truck driver?

  • Gender – 96% of all tow truck drivers employed in the US are male, while 4% are female.(( https://www.zippia.com/tow-truck-driver-jobs/demographics/#gender-statistics ))
  • Average level of education – The most common degree for tow truck drivers is high school diploma with 57% graduates(( https://www.zippia.com/tow-truck-driver-jobs/education/ ))
  • Average age – The average age of a tow truck driver is 48 years old.(( https://www.zippia.com/tow-truck-driver-jobs/demographics/#age-statistics ))

towing industry demographics

How much does it cost to start a towing business?

Starting a towing business costs between $18,000 and $66,000, averaging about $42,000.

The largest is of course the tow truck itself. A new tow truck will run you about $100,000, which means the down payment could be $20,000. But you might be able to find a used truck for $25,000, and pay half that amount upfront to take the keys. You might want to pay a visit to the Truck Paper . 

While it may not be absolutely necessary, getting your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a good idea when starting a towing business, as you might at some point cross the weight threshold (26,000 pounds). Check with your state for details. You will also need to gain Light Duty certification from the Towing and Recovery Association of America, which requires at least 90 days of tow truck experience. 

How much can you earn from a towing business?

The average cost per tow service is about $95, and after your expenses, of fuel, insurance, and marketing, you should have a profit margin of 70%. 

In your first your or two working as a solopreneur, you might respond to two service calls per day for six days a week. This would give you about $60,000 in annual revenue and a profit of more than $40,000. 

As your business gains recognition, you can expect to get three service calls per day, giving you annual revenue of $89,000 and a profit of nearly $62,000. At that point, you could save up, add another truck or two to your fleet and start making serious money. 

towing business earnings forecast

What barriers to entry are there?

The biggest barrier to entry is financing, particularly the buying of a truck, along with maintenance. You will also pay a high insurance premium every year to protect your assets from accidental damage and theft. 

Another barrier to entry is the stringent regulations, as you may need a permit from the state as well as your CDL and towing certification. This will require significant training and experience. 

The competition is also fierce in the towing industry as all businesses offer the same services and most will have more experience than your startup.

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a towing business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market.

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research towing businesses in your area to examine their services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a towing service that offers a mobile app. 

towing business plan pdf

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as partnering with taxi and limousine services.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away.

What? Determine your products or services

Vehicles break down at unexpected times. It may happen during your road trip or commute to work as well as in the parking lot or in your garage. You may also get involved in a road accident. You can’t do anything except call a towing company to come to your aid.

Towing companies use different types of trucks depending upon what and how they need to tow. The following are four common types of trucks and their common uses:

  • Flatbed Tow Trucks — These trucks are very common in the tow industry. They carry a long, flat, empty, and hydraulic bed on their back. A ramp is used to move up the vehicle on the bed.
  • Boom Trucks — Unlike conventional but unsafe hook and chain tows, boom trucks use slings or belt lifts to tow a car which is much safer. They have a telescopic crane fixed on a commercial truck chassis which is called a “boom”. Boom trucks use outriggers to stabilize the body while the crane lifts the vehicle.
  • Integrated Tow Truck — These trucks are designed for heavy-duty towing as they are self-loaders that are capable and stable. These are often used to tow buses. They are also used for repossessions.
  • Wheel-Lift Tow Truck — These trucks are equipped with a metal yoke which is used to hoist the rear or front wheels of the towed car. They also use a hydraulic system to ensure safe carriage of towed vehicles on a bumpy surface.

While the main service of a tow company is to move a vehicle from point A to point B, some businesses offer roadside assistance to maximize their revenue. These emergency roadside services include:

  • Dead batteries
  • Empty gas tanks
  • Other quick repairs

How much should you charge for towing services?

Tow truck service charges range between $2 and $4 per mile, depending upon your location. The average cost per tow is about $100, but can vary widely. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

You will mainly get calls from people who get into road emergencies and need to tow their vehicle to the nearest auto repair shop. You should also expect to get calls from the local police department, car clubs, service stations, auto auctions, and property owners to tow and move a vehicle. You could reach out to all these organizations and let them know of your services, and you could also contact hotels and other tourist accommodations, and look for related businesses on LinkedIn and Google Maps. 

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stage of business development, you may want to operate your business from home to help you keep your overhead expenses in check. But as your business grows and operations intensify, you will hire workers for various job roles and may need to rent out a shop or office. 

You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices . When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

  • Central location accessible via public transport
  • Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
  • Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
  • Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

towing business idea rating

Step 3: Brainstorm a Towing Company Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

  • Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
  • Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
  • Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
  • Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
  • Including keywords, such as “towing” or “car towing”, boosts SEO
  • Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Rapid Response Towing Services” over “Junk Car Removal Solutions”
  • Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
  • Use online tools like the Step by Step Business Name Generator . Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that set your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Tow Truck Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

  • Executive Summary: Summarize your tow truck business’s goals, highlighting its services in vehicle towing, roadside assistance, and recovery operations.
  • Business Overview: Describe your business’s provision of tow truck services, including emergency towing, vehicle recovery, and roadside assistance like tire changes or jump starts.
  • Product and Services: Detail the range of services offered, from light-duty towing for cars to heavy-duty towing for larger vehicles, and additional services like lockout assistance.
  • Market Analysis: Assess the demand for towing services in your area, considering factors like traffic volume, accident rates, and partnerships with local businesses or government agencies.
  • Competitive Analysis: Compare your business to other local towing companies, focusing on your advantages such as response time, pricing, or specialized equipment.
  • Sales and Marketing: Outline your strategy for attracting clients, which might include online marketing, agreements with auto repair shops, or contracts with motor clubs.
  • Management Team: Highlight the experience and qualifications of your team, especially in areas like automotive services, business management, and customer relations.
  • Operations Plan: Describe the operational process, including dispatching, towing operations, vehicle maintenance, and customer service protocols.
  • Financial Plan: Provide an overview of financial aspects, covering startup costs, pricing strategy, and revenue projections.
  • Appendix: Include supplementary documents such as business licenses, insurance policies, or agreements with local businesses to support your business plan.

what to include in a business plan

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to towing. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your towing business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

  • Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
  • General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
  • Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
  • C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
  • S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

types of business structures

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2023

towing business plan pdf

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

towing business plan pdf

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund Your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

  • Bank loans : This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
  • SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
  • Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
  • Venture capital : Venture capital investors take an ownership stake in exchange for funds, so keep in mind that you’d be sacrificing some control over your business. This is generally only available for businesses with high growth potential.
  • Friends and Family : Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
  • Crowdfunding : Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
  • Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best options, other than friends and family, for funding a towing business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

types of business funding

Step 8: Apply for Licenses/Permits

To run a tow truck business, you need to comply with a number of local, state, and federal regulations. Below are some of the licenses and permits that you’ll need to operate your towing business:

  • You may need to get a permit from the local municipality, state, and even from the highway department. Check with the relevant authorities to find out what permits you need to run a towing business.
  • The truck driver will most likely need to obtain a Class B driving license , giving legal permission to drive a vehicle weighing 26,000 pounds or heavier or tow another vehicle that weighs 10,000 pounds or less.
  • Private property permit will be needed if you are towing an illegally parked vehicle without the owner’s consent.
  • Indictment management permit will be needed to tow a vehicle without its owner’s consent at the request of law enforcement authorities.
  • Consent to tow permit will be needed to tow a vehicle with the consent of its owner.
  • Oversized vehicle permit will be needed if you occasionally tow a vehicle exceeding the permitted weight.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your towing business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

  • General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
  • Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
  • Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
  • Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
  • Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
  • Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
  • Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
  • Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

types of business insurance

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.  

You may want to consider using AutoRepair Cloud , TowManager , and MedinyX to easily communicate with customers, manage and keep track of inventory, allow customers to track the repair process, send quotes and invoices to customers, and more. 

  • Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
  • If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

You can implement an online booking system on your website, making it easy for customers to request towing services directly from your site.

Your clients are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google.

Here are different marketing strategies to help you attract local customers and grow your brand:

  • Local SEO Optimization : Ensure your website is optimized for local SEO by including relevant keywords (e.g., “Towing services in [Your City]”) in your content, meta tags, and headings.
  • Google My Business : Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing with accurate business information, high-quality photos, and customer reviews to improve local search visibility.
  • Local Directory Listings : Get your towing business listed in local online directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and TripAdvisor to increase your online presence and reach local customers.
  • Social Media Presence : Create and regularly update social media profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to engage with your local community and share towing tips, updates, and promotions.
  • Content Marketing : Start a blog on your website to share informative articles about safe towing practices, car maintenance tips, and local news related to your industry to establish your expertise and build trust with potential customers.
  • Online Advertising : Run targeted online ads on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads, focusing on local keywords and demographics to reach potential customers in your service area.
  • Local Partnerships : Collaborate with local auto repair shops, insurance agencies, and car dealerships to establish referral partnerships and gain access to their customer base.
  • Branding and Vehicle Signage : Invest in professional branding and signage on your towing vehicles to increase visibility while on the road and create a memorable brand image.
  • Community Involvement : Get involved in local community events, sponsorships, or charity drives to show your commitment to the community and increase brand awareness.
  • Online Booking System : Implement an online booking system on your website, making it easy for customers to request towing services directly from your site.
  • Email Marketing : Collect email addresses from customers and use email marketing to send promotions, updates, and safety tips to keep your brand top of mind.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your towing service meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your towing business could be: 

  • Fast towing, 24/7
  • We offer towing and much more! 
  • Full-service towing for your luxury car 

unique selling proposition

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a towing business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working as a towing truck operator for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in towing. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

You may not need to hire any employees if you are starting out small from a home-based office. But as your business grows, you will likely need to recruit full-time employees for various job roles, such as:

  • Marketing Lead
  • General Manager

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Towing Business – Start Making Money!

Roadside assistance service provider Agero says almost 70 million vehicles break down in the US each year, costing the economy more than $40 billion and posing road hazards that sometimes lead to fatal accidents. By starting a towing business, you would be clearing the roads of these traffic hazards and helping your community while earning good money at the same time. 

You’ll have to be mindful of the risks and make sure you have safety systems in place. Now that you’ve done all your business homework, it’s time to hit the road to entrepreneurship and start your towing business! 

  • Towing Business FAQs

A towing business can offer emergency roadside assistance, vehicle recovery, long-distance towing, heavy-duty towing, motorcycle towing, and vehicle transportation services. Additional services may include battery jump-starts, tire changes, lockout assistance, and fuel delivery.

The tow truck business is indeed profitable. You can expect to make around $40,000 in annual net profit as a solopreneur. However, starting a towing business will require a sizable investment since buying a tow truck could be extremely expensive. Given this, the return on investment may be low as compared to alternate business options that you may consider before pursuing this business venture.

Buying a tow truck is regarded as a safe investment because it has great resale value. If your towing business is underperforming and you have decided to shut your operations, your business will undergo liquidation. The tow trucks will be sold in the second-hand truck market and a major chunk of investment will be easily recovered if the trucks are in good condition.

The insurance premium may range between 2% to 3%, but it will vary greatly depending upon your truck value, condition, location and insurance company. You may expect to incur $100 to $500 per month on tow truck insurance.

Based on job listings on Indeed , the top five states where truck drivers get paid the most are given below:

  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Chicago, IL
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Fort Worth, TX
  • San Diego, CA

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  • Decide if the Business Is Right for You
  • Hone Your Idea
  • Brainstorm a Towing Company Name
  • Create a Tow Truck Business Plan
  • Register your Business
  • Register for Taxes
  • Fund Your Business
  • Apply for Licenses/Permits
  • Open a Business Bank Account
  • Get Business Insurance
  • Prepare to Launch
  • Build Your Team
  • Run a Towing Business - Start Making Money!

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Route Optimization and Planning

How to start a tow truck business.

December 22, 2021 8 min read

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The towing industry has seen consistent growth over the last decade. That growth is projected to continue, with the industry expected to  generate more than $7.7 billion in revenue by 2024 . Business is booming—and there’s no better time to break into the industry with your own towing company.

To start a tow truck business that will thrive, you’ll need to identify what type of business you want to have, get the proper equipment, and register your tow company. Then you can begin to grow your customer base with effective marketing and planning tools that help maximize efficiency and lower costs.

Jump to the part that interests you most:

How to Start a Tow Truck Business in 8 Steps

Why route optimization is the key to maximizing profitability for a towing business, optimoroute: the best tool for tow truck dispatchers, faqs about how to start a tow truck business.

To start a successful towing company, you’ll need to define your business, find your customers, and build a business plan focused on improving operational efficiency and boosting revenue.

1. Identify your target market

The tow truck industry is as varied as the cars you’ll be towing.

Start by defining what type of towing business you will have. You can choose to provide a variety of towing services as a general towing agency or focus on providing limited niche services to cater to a specific industry, like towing classic cars. Some of the common types of towing services include heavy-duty, specialty, long-distance, and local tows.

  • General towing services:  General services are the most common offering and often refer to local tows around town. This type of business will have a broad customer base that only needs common tows. For example, if an individual’s car breaks down, they will likely call a general towing agency to arrange a tow to a repair shop.
  • Heavy-duty towing services:  Sometimes referred to as big rig towing, this is when you  tow vehicles weighing more than 17,000 pounds , such as a tractor or other farm equipment.
  • Specialty towing services:  Customers with special and unique vehicles, like a classic or  exotic car , often require highly specialized towing services that offer customers an extra level of care and attention from the driver and handlers. Specialty towers often have unique offerings such as a level of privacy with covered tows and other unique perks like roadside assistance that allow them to charge a higher fee.
  • Long-distance towing services:  Any job that requires you to tow a vehicle  more than 100 miles  is considered long distance. These may be customers who are moving across the country and need someone to transport their car or customers who race for sport and need their race vehicle transported from circuit to circuit.

You’ll also need to determine whether you will conduct consensual tows, non-consensual tows, or both. Consensual tows are ordered by the customer, like when a classic car owner needs their prized possession safely transported to a car show. If most of your revenue will be driven by consensual tows, your customers will primarily be individual car owners who pay for their tows out of pocket, with insurance coverage, or with the help of an agency like  AAA .

Non-consensual tows are those that the vehicle owner does not consent to, such as a car on a city street with too many tickets that gets towed to an impound lot. Providing non-consensual tows will allow your business to bid on contracts from apartment complexes and office buildings and even on government contracts with the city that you operate in.

towing business plan pdf

2. Investigate local regulations or requirements for towers

Tow regulations and requirements vary from state to state. In some cases, the type of services you offer will also impact how you do business. For example, there are specific guidelines that non-consensual towers in New York will need to know; for example,  an abandoned vehicle left on private property must be at least 10 years old to be towed to a dismantler .

Contact your local DMV, department of transportation, or towing board to learn the relevant information you need to know for your business.

3. Create a business plan

Outline a plan for building your business, so you have a clear guide to follow. Start by outlining what the goals of your business will be. Then, define steps for how your business will achieve those goals, with a deadline for each step. For example, if one goal of your business is to increase tow volume, then you can plan to take steps like hiring employees, improving training for tow truck operators, optimizing your dispatching with routing software, and increasing your marketing efforts.

4. Get a startup loan (if necessary)

Though very uncommon, you may already have all the cash you need to start your towing business. In this case, you’re in great shape to start your business without any outside help. If you don’t have that large sum of money sitting around, you can ask investors for their financial support or get a business loan. 

Start by listing your startup costs and total up the expenses. Your startup costs include employee salaries, equipment like trucks, property to park towed cars, insurance policies, licensing, and anything else you need to start your business. Once you know how much you need, it’s time to open a business bank account and find the money. 

Taking out a loan is a common option that allows you to retain full ownership of your business, but you’ll likely have monthly payments to repay your loan. Seeking out investors means you won’t have to repay the money you use to start your business, but you may have to share ownership with those who invest.

5.  Register your business

Start by selecting a name for your business. You’ll then need to register the name of your business with the appropriate agency. If your business is a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation, you’ll need to register with your state government to get a tax code, which may require you to register with the local business bureau or business agency, depending on your state. To register with another business structure, you may need to trademark your business name or file forms with the IRS. Check the specific requirements for your business structure by checking with the local  Small Business Administration  office.

6. Acquire the proper licenses and permits

Though requirements vary from state to state,  almost all states require tow truck drivers to pass some kind of certification as well as obtain a  commercial driver’s license . Additionally, you may need to acquire specific permits for your tow vehicles as well as a towing company business license. Consult your state’s department of transportation to learn about the specific licenses and permits your towing company will need.

7. Purchase equipment and tools

You’ll need standard towing tools regardless of what kind of services you offer. Those tools include hooks, chains, jump starters, towing and recovery straps, ratchets, and lights. You’ll also need a  truck that can handle the tows  you plan to complete. 

You may also need specialized tools, depending on what services you offer. For example, towing exotic cars may require a covered flatbed truck to protect the vehicle during transit, as well as special straps to prevent damage during loading. However, towing cars long distances would require a big rig truck with a trailer designed to transport multiple vehicles at a time.

8. Create a marketing strategy

Look at your business goals and set marketing goals that will help you achieve your business goals. Your marketing goals should be things like boosting brand awareness and generating new business. 

To achieve those goals, you should use marketing tactics like building a social media presence, creating a Google business account, or  putting a wrap on your tow trucks . You can also do your own research online by consulting industry resources like  The Tow Academy  or marketing-focused publications like  Social Media Today  to find creative marketing tactics to help drive business.

To make a profit, you need to complete enough tows to pay for all of your business operations. And the more tows you complete, the higher your profits will be. 

The best way to increase the number of tows you can complete is by optimizing your routes.  Route optimization  is the process of finding the most direct routes to boost efficiency by accounting for a variety of factors, including pickup and drop-off locations, how many cars a tow truck can tow, travel time between destinations, driver schedules, and more. Route optimization also lowers fuel costs by reducing the total number of miles driven.

Effective route optimization is difficult due to the overwhelming number of factors to consider. If you manage a fleet  of trucks, those factors increase with every truck in your fleet, making manual route optimization impossible. Implementing route optimization software eliminates this problem by doing the work for you. 

OptimoRoute optimizes routes, improves visibility into operations with features like live tracking, and improves the customer experience with notifications. This helps businesses improve overall efficiency, boosting the number of tows you can complete and maximizing profit.

towing business plan pdf

Track drivers on the road in real time

Data provided by the mobile app gives dispatchers  visibility into where trucks are . If a customer calls in need of an urgent tow, you’ll be able to see where drivers are and assess which driver will be able to respond to the call the fastest.

Provide live tracking and ETA for your business partners

Send your clients a text message notification when a driver heads out to complete the tow. With information about the route provided by OptimoRoute, you’ll be able to provide businesses with an accurate ETA, so they don’t have to worry about when the tow truck will arrive. This helps to eliminate down time for businesses looking to ship their products to customers as soon as possible. 

Maximize route efficiency

Improving your route efficiency helps you to complete more tows without having to invest in more trucks or hire more drivers. OptimoRoute helps maximize efficiency by streamlining your routing process and automatically generating optimized routes for you. All you’ll need to do is provide the platform with details about your trucks, drivers, and where you need to route your tow trucks.

Mobile app for drivers

Drivers can get turn-by-turn directions directly through OptimoRoute’s mobile app. If a new tow gets added to their route, the app will automatically update to provide the driver with directions to the new destination.

To see how OptimoRoute can help maximize tows and profits for your company,  try our software free for 30 days!

How much does it cost to start a tow truck business?

There are a lot of costs involved in starting a tow truck business, including the trucks, which cost “ anywhere between $58,000 and $850,000 .” You’ll also need to pay for fuel, liability insurance, and much more, not to mention paying drivers the  average rate of $17 an hour . With all of these expenses, starting a small tow truck business costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, and that cost increases for larger businesses that need more trucks and supplies.

Is it hard to start a towing company?

Starting a tow truck company comes with challenges, such as acquiring money to invest in the business and learning how to route your tow trucks efficiently. You can mitigate these challenges by getting a loan or finding investors to fund your business. You can also invest in tools like routing software to help streamline your business operations.

Is a tow truck business profitable?

The towing industry is profitable. But how much you’ll profit as a business owner depends on a variety of factors like your overhead costs, how many drivers you need to pay, and how much business you’re able to generate.

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towing business plan pdf

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This question is about tow truck driver .

How to start a tow truck business

You need to develop a business plan, register your business, and acquire licenses, permits, and business insurance in order to start a tow truck business. For details on these steps and others you can take to start a tow truck business, use this guide:

Develop a business plan. This is the first step to starting your two-truck business and it is very important. You'll need to do market research on the tow truck industry in your local area to properly complete your business plan.

Your business plan should cover customer research, competitors, a startup budget, and financial projections for your business.

Other things you should add include the problems you will be solving for clients and customers, what sets your business apart from the competition, the resources your business will depend upon, and your business's mission statement and vision for the future of the company.

Your business plan is a critical document for yourself, especially if you are looking to get a small business loan or investors in your company.

There are many things to cover in your business plan for a tow truck company. Here we will try to touch on everything you should cover.

Your consumer base

Most people think of tow trucks as they relate to roadside assistance, but there are many different kinds of tow truck services. Here are some of the most common tow truck services:

Roadside assistance

Towing impounded cars and vehicles

Towing services for a specific city

Auto repair shops towing services

Law enforcement towing services

Auction house towing services

Write up a budget for your business plan

You need to carefully plan your business budget, so you know you have enough capital to make the purchases required to start a tow truck business. Here are some of the most common costs associated with starting and running a towing company:

Licenses and permits

Purchasing tow trucks

Commercial tow truck insurance

Employee wages and salaries

Business insurance

Marketing expenses

Vehicle maintenance

Determine what equipment you need to purchase or rent

Buying a new tow truck can be quite expensive, they can cost up to $100,000, or more in certain cases. You can also look into purchasing a used-tow truck or a fleet of used tow trucks. Just be sure to take truck maintenance and repairs into consideration when calculating these costs.

Here are the most common tow trucks used in the industry:

Flatbed trucks are by far the most common. They have long beds with flat tops, which makes it easy to navigate a car or vehicle in place and secure to the bed of the tow truck. Integrated tow trucks are heavy-duty tow trucks. They often have additional axles for towing extra-large vehicles, like other large trucks or even buses. Hook and chain tow trucks used to be the most common tow trucks until the popularity of flatbed tow trucks grew. This kind of tow truck is most often used for towing wrecked or totaled vehicles to an auto repair shop or junkyard Depending on exactly what type of towing business you want to start, your needs in terms of the type of tow truck may vary. Flatbed tow trucks are the most popular because they are the most versatile kind of tow truck, and they have no problem hauling small or large vehicles.

Figure out your pricing

Towing services typically charge their customers a flat fee for the tow, a mileage fee, and in certain cases, a storage charge.

Many tow truck businesses set their standard towing rate between $75 to $125. On top of this, they then assign a mileage fee between $2 to $4 per mile during towing transit.

Once you have done your market research and drawn up your business plan, you are ready to take the next step in starting your towing business.

Register your tow truck business, and obtain an EIN. You need to register your tow truck business and obtain an EIN to operate legally. Also, you should familiarize yourself with the legal requirements for a small business in your city or state.

You might want to consider applying to become a limited liability company (LLC). If you operate as an LLC, your personal and company information is entirely separate. While this changes your tax status, it does protect you from personal losses based on the company's performance.

An LLC is also a good option because once your tow business starts to grow, you'll be able to hire employees to help you.

Another option is to become a sole proprietorship. This is the most simplistic business formation and requires the least amount of paperwork. The big downside with a sole proprietorship is that you assume all liability with your business. It is also a risky move for a tow truck business, considering the inherent hazards and risks that come with operating one.

Your last option is to form a corporation. This is the move you want to make if you are trying to start a towing business and have it grow into a nationwide brand.

This comes with many of the same protections and limited liability as an LLC; however, there is more paperwork to do, plus you would have to create a board of directors and write bylaws. This is also the most expensive route.

After you have this determined, you should then get a Federal Tax ID number. This helps you get a license to run your business. This is also referred to as an EIN or Employer Identification Number. To hire drivers, you must obtain your EIN for tax purposes.

Your employer identification number (EIN) is critical to starting and growing your business. It helps with matters like opening a business bank account and paying taxes. Essentially it is like a social security number but for your business. In certain states, you may also have to get a tax ID as well.

Acquire the necessary licenses, permits, and business insurance. These are all mandatory requirements for starting a tow truck business.

You and all your drivers must have a valid CDL license to operate and drive your tow truck(s).

CDL licenses fall into three different categories:

Class B is the necessary Class of CDL for tow trucks. This authorizes a driver to operate a vehicle that weighs over 26,000 pounds or tow another vehicle that weighs 10,000 pounds or less. A Class B license also clears you to drive straight trucks, box trucks, and large passenger buses.

Trailer gross weight rating restrictions separate Class A, and Class B. Class A license allows you to drive tractor trailers, while A Class C license allows you to drive smaller vehicles, like passenger vans and certain delivery trucks.

Now we'll look at some permits you might need to obtain for your tow truck business:

Indictment management permit to tow vehicles without consent when requested by law enforcement is a permit most tow truck businesses must have. Private property permit to tow vehicles without consent when requested by the parking facility owner. This comes into play if you lend your services to specific apartment buildings or commercial establishments. Consent to tow permit to tow vehicles with consent by the vehicle owner. This permit mostly refers to roadside assistance. Oversized vehicle permit to operate a tow truck that exceeds a certain weight load. The necessity of this permit depends upon the type of tow truck business you are starting.

Next up is insurance. There are many different kinds of auto insurance you may want to obtain for your tow truck business. We recommend speaking with an experienced and licensed insurance agent to dig into the details and find out exactly what plans you need.

Here are some common auto insurance plans for tow truck businesses:

Auto-liability insurance covers you or your driver when you or they are at fault in an auto accident, and your business must cover the other driver's medical and property expenses. Physical damage insurance covers any necessary repairs to your tow trucks during auto accidents. Comprehensive coverage is useful when your vehicle is damaged outside of an auto accident, such as a fire, theft from your tow truck or theft of the truck itself, falling debris or objects, or hitting an animal. On-hook coverage is needed for protecting your business if any vehicles become damaged while hooked up to your tow truck. Uninsured motorist insurance covers any injury to you, your drivers, or a passenger of your tow truck if caused by a driver who doesn't have insurance or in the event of a hit-and-run accident.

Secure a motor vehicle record (MVR). This step is fairly simple in most states, but you should still do the proper planning in the event of delays.

In most states, there is a fee you must pay to get a motor vehicle record. In certain states, you can also accomplish this online and get a digital version. In other states, drivers may need to pick up a physical copy or have it mailed to their home address or to your business address.

Obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC). These credentials are critical if you want to have variety in the types of loads you can legally haul with your tow truck business.

A TWIC also lets you access secure areas, such as ports and other maritime hauling-related facilities. You should only take this step if it applies to your tow truck business model.

Apply for a DOT number. A DOT number or Department of Transportation number is a requirement for certain kinds of tow truck businesses and can be a little more challenging than other steps.

You should first determine if your type of tow truck business needs a DOT number, then look into obtaining one.

Market your tow-truck business. Make use of all of the internet tools at your disposal to market your tow truck business.

Social media is one of the most popular marketing tools currently and can be somewhat useful for tow truck businesses.

However, an even more effective internet marketing tool for tow truck businesses is SEO searches. Tow truck customers are more likely to do a quick Google search for a tow truck rather than connect with your company via social media platforms.

When optimizing your content for SEO, you should look to rank for terms particular to your locality, like "tow truck New York" or "towing service in Florida." You can even narrow it down to your specific region, county, or city.

When locals in your area are searching these types of terms in Google, this increases your opportunity of being found on the first page of their search results.

In addition, you should also make sure you fill out online business profiles on sites like Yelp, Google, and others, to increase the odds of your tow truck business popping up as an option.

Another online resource you need to take advantage of for your towing business is a website. This is relatively inexpensive, and if you have some extra cash, you can hire a professional to do a solid website design for you.

Your website should include your pricing and contact information, as well as things like customer testimonies about your towing services. If your drivers are always on time and hardly ever damage the vehicles they are towing; customers usually won't mind expressing gratitude by writing a quick testimony or review for your tow truck business.

Also, be sure to link your social media business accounts with your website and vice versa.

The last thing you should definitely consider in terms of marketing your tow truck business is to become an AAA contractor. The American Auto Association is an extremely well-known roadside assistance brand. And many of the tow trucks that AAA sends out are local contractors.

If you partner with AAA, your tow truck business will receive a lot of benefits. Many everyday drivers are AAA members and rely on their road assistance services. This means that you will see more business if you partner with AAA because anytime an AAA member calls for a local tow in your area, one of your tow trucks might get dispatched.

Partnering with AAA also boosts your business's credibility and reputation because AAA is a very trusted brand known and used by so many different drivers. Contact AAA or visit your local office for details on how to become a contractor for them.

How to start a tow truck business

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How to Start Your Own Towing Company

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You will need a tow truck license to operate a towing company.

Depending on the needs of your community, a towing company can be a profitable business venture. Starting out with a single truck, you may find it best to start with specific customers, like mechanics, car dealerships, local government agencies and apartment management companies. As your business expands, so can your range of customers and your fleet of trucks.

Create a Business Plan

Create a business plan to outline each phase of business development for a towing company. Write a business description, including the types of towing services you want to provide customers, in the first section. Types of towing services include emergency towing, dealership towing and commercial retail towing.

List startup costs, equipment costs, labor costs, insurance costs and towing license costs in the second section. In the third section, create a marketing plan that includes ways to attract potential customers. Describe the roles and duties of management and employees in the fourth section.

Apply for Licenses and Permits

Apply for a towing license by contacting your local towing and recovery board or department of motor vehicles. Register your business with the secretary of state's office and the county clerk's office that oversees the county where you plan to operate the towing company. Apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an Employer Identification Number (see Resources). Use this number when filing all state and federal tax return documents.

Purchase Business Insurance

Purchase business insurance, such as general liability, property, auto and workers' compensation insurance, from a licensed insurance provider. General liability and property insurance help pay for costs associated with lawsuits, damage to towing equipment or a legal settlement. Your state or county may require that you purchase a surety bond to help cover additional costs associated with a lawsuit or settlement. Surety bonds are also used to keep business owners honest when providing services to customers.

Purchase Vehicles and Equipment

Purchase towing vehicles and equipment from local truck and auto supply stores or online. Visit used auto parts stores or junkyards to purchase items at a low cost. Purchase computer software to maintain accurate towing records, bookkeeping and invoicing.

Obtain a Location

Lease or purchase a parking lot or land to park vehicles after towing. Contact a commercial real estate agent to find a location that is large enough to park a variety of vehicles.

Market Your Business

Market your services to businesses in your community. Attend business-networking functions and auto trade shows or visit local businesses in person. Types of businesses to contact include car dealerships, apartment management companies, small-business owners and local government agencies.

Things You Will Need

Business plan

Business insurance

Surety bond

Tow truck license

Tow truck and towing equipment

Lot to stow vehicles

  • To protect business assets, purchase enough business insurance to adequately cover the costs of legal fees.
  • Obtaining a towing license may be difficult depending on the number of businesses applying. Many areas limit the number of licenses granted, to prevent too many towing businesses in one area. If you cannot obtain a towing license, you may be able to purchase an existing license from another towing company.
  • Entrepreneur: Auto Towing
  • Small Business Administration: Write a Business Plan

Based in the Washington metro area, Jessica Jones has been a freelance writer since 2006, specializing in business topics. Her fiction has also been featured in publications such as "The Jamaican Observer Sunday Literary Supplement" and at websites including HackWriters. Jones earned a Master of Fine Arts in fiction writing from Lesley University.

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Sample Towing Truck Business Plan

Tow truck business plan sample.

Are you interested in making money by running a towing business? A towing business as with all businesses can be challenging as well as rewarding, especially when a solid foundation for its success is put in place.

With stranded motorists usually not possessing legal tow permits and at the same time, auto repair shops not maintaining tow trucks as part of the auto repair shop; it presents a great investment gap for entrepreneurs to fill in.

Independent car towing companies come to the rescue of stranded passengers as auto repair shops largely rely on their services to bring damaged vehicles to them.

Get a License

In North America, getting a license to operate a towing business is very difficult and challenging due to heavy regulation. Some operators of towing companies have devised a means of going around this problem.

They contract their services to property managers and car dealerships to carry out this work (towing). But this is fraught with risks as they are not covered by proper towing business liability insurance.

The solution to this is to purchase this license from an already established franchise towing company, but this comes at a high cost. Purchasing a license and tow truck can cost as much as $200,000! But if the buyer can get a license and tow truck at a fair price, the possibility for an increased profit margin is unlimited after buying a towing truck business for sale.

Your Target Market

Your target market consists of areas where your services are much in need and putting this in context, there are several thousands of car breakdowns on highways and off highways, vehicles parked illegally in private spaces or property, improperly parked outside public spaces such as roadsides need to be towed.

To enable customers to recall your company/business, a serious and aggressive marketing campaign needs to be carried out to register your business in the memories of potential clients for use whenever they are in a fix. To achieve this, a catchy name and phone number can do the trick. All these should be well captured in your towing business plan.

Startup Procedure

What do I need to start a towing business? What are the requirements for a towing company? There are procedures or steps to take when starting a towing business and among these procedures, filing the necessary paper works with the state or the authorities is required.

Also, it is best if the business is registered as a limited liability company or a corporation because these legal structures protect businesses to a large degree as compared to businesses registered under sole proprietorship. Also, inquires about business permits and other documentation need to be made.

What Cars Make up Your Fleet?

What are the costs of running a towing business? Depending on how large or small a tow business may be, functionally tow trucks or wreckers have to be put in place. The number of towing businesses using the flatbed model of two trucks is on the rise, and you will do well to have one. This is because they can tow badly-damaged vehicles, unlike the hooked wreckers where the rear-wheel axle of the damaged cars needs to be in good shape, including the tires to enable easy towing.

As your towing company expands, more tow trucks and equipment are inevitably needed, and hence, for example, instead of a single cell phone call to the tow driver, a dispatch system would provide easy management and mobilization.

Holding Yard

A secured parking lot is crucial to the smooth operation of a towing company. Impounded cars whose owners are unable to pay for their release are kept in such secure yards pending when their owners offset their bills.

These holding yards can hold vehicles for days and even weeks. Having this is very invaluable to the smooth running of a towing business as it presents another way of generating critical income.

Market Access

To gain a fair share of market access, tow companies both new and old need to make their presence felt by both the authorities and potential customers. How may this be achieved? You may ask, by simply making contact with the local police jurisdictions for your tow company to be included in their roster of accident responders.

Also, you can visit local auto shops around to strike a mutual referral agreement. Also, your towing business company must have an online presence where customers can easily make a tow request if you wish to have a fair share of the local market.

Colorful towing company business cards should be spread across strategic locations such as bulletin boards, auto repair shops and also in local bars. This serves to register your presence and create awareness in the minds of your potential customers about the availability of this service.

Employees/Drivers

For your business to move smoothly, only drivers with good track records of driving and also possessing commercial driving licenses should be hired. They must be polite and helpful and also, they must also possess clean driving records.

Purchase High-Quality Equipment

What are some basic towing business start-up costs? A good and functional tow truck is crucial to tow business success, hence, investing in one or several as your financial strength may allow is necessary.

When buying a tow truck or trucks, the services of an independent vehicle inspector should be enlisted. This is to enable him/her carry out examinations on the car to find out if it is worth buying and would serve the purpose or not.

Commercial Liability Insurance

This is so important to towing business survival as it provides coverage, protections, and insurance against sudden damage or accidents involving either the client’s car or your tow truck. The minimum required coverage as spelled out by the state should be provided or made available and costs should be prepared from your annual towing business income.

Here is a sample business plan for starting a towing company.

TOW TRUCK BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

Here, I will be sharing a sample of how a tow truck business plan should look like. It is expected that you already understand how the business is operated so I don’t need to go into that.

One of the very important documents of all businesses is the business plan which should not be taken for granted when you are about to launch your business.

Business Name: Safe Towing Truck Services

  • Business Overview
  • Executive Summary
  • Products and Services
  • Vision Statement
  • Mission Statement
  • Target Market
  • Competitive Analysis

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

A tow truck is also known as a recovery vehicle or wrecker that is used to move broken down vehicles, improperly parked or damaged vehicles away from the road to avoid obstruction of traffic. Tow truck companies also include incidental services in their services such as emergency road repair services and storage for profit maximization.

Reports have shown that over five years, the age of vehicles and the number of vehicles on roads has increased making the number of repairs and towing services increase. The fact that the higher the number of vehicles the higher the need for towing services is very true.

Therefore, the towing industry is a successful and thriving industry in the world, it is one of the major sectors of the economy and is responsible for the employment of a large number of people including staff members and professional drivers.

Starting and managing a tow truck business can be challenging and tasking but at the same time rewarding. The business is open for both aspiring entrepreneurs and big-time investors.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Safe Towing Truck Services is a towing truck company based in South Dakota. This is a standard towing truck business that will provide essential services in South Dakota and United States as a whole by moving broken down, indisposed and improperly parked cars away from the road to avoid obstructing the free flow of traffic and also town both light and heavy vehicles over long and short distances depending on the agreement.

The company’s services will focus majorly on the following cities: South Dakota, Memphis, Chicago, St. Louis, North Dakota, Western Kentucky, Tennessee, Nashville, Evansville, and Missouri.

The business as already being registered and licensed. All licenses and permits required to operate in the United States have been secured and we will ensure that all rules and regulations guiding the industry are obeyed.

The goal of the business is to become one of the leading towing truck company within the first few years of operation.

This is a family business owned by David Steve and his immediate family.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The company is determined and set to deliver brilliant services to customers by helping them move their broken-down vehicles from one place to another. This is because we want to be known and seen as a company that has its clients at heart.

The following are the products and services that will be offered to customers:

  • Towing of motor vehicles
  • Emergency road repair of vehicles
  • Towing of trucks
  • Towing of light-duty truck
  • Towing of a passenger car towing
  • Motor vehicles wrecking services
  • Roadside assistance services

VISION STATEMENT The vision statement of the company is to become one of the leading and best companies whenever people are talking about tow truck companies and their services in the whole of the United States.

MISSION STATEMENT

Safe Towing Truck Services’ mission is to have the best and very reliable towing truck drivers to boast of and also to establish a towing truck company that will operate well in the whole of the U.S.

BUSINESS STRUCTURE

Safe Towing Truck Services’ business structure will be designed in a way that both full time and part-time employees will be able to work there. The company intends to start the company with many full-time employees and qualified truck drivers. There will also be adequate provision and packages for full-time employees.

Below is the business structure of the company:

  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Admin and H.R Manager
  • Transport Manager
  • Sales and Marketing Manager
  • Professional Towing Truck Drivers
  • Customers Service Executive/ Front Desk Officer

TARGET MARKET

The target market of the company majorly is transportation and haulage companies and every individual with cars in the United States. The towing will be done within short distances and long distances, that is, both intra and interstate.

The company has a list of people and organizations that we intend to do business with and they are:

  • Vehicle Owners
  • Haulage Companies and
  • Transportation Companies.

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

We are fully aware of the fact that the towing industry is highly competitive and the company is ready to compete with other players in the towing industry favorably. The major competitive advantage we have is the industry experience, good business structure and solid reputation of our owner, David Steve who happens to have adequate knowledge about the industry.

Also, some of the basic factors that will give our company a competitive advantage are: good network, honesty, trust, excellent relationship with customers, direct access to major highways, and having a well-qualified and trained management team.

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towing business plan pdf

Towing Operation Business Plan (PDF, Excel, Word)

towing business plan pdf

Description

  • Executive summary
  • Company overview
  • Products and services
  • Operation plan
  • Market and industry overview
  • Sales & marketing plan
  • Financial plan
  • Risk management plan
  • Potential funding sources

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COMMENTS

  1. Tow Truck Business Plan Template & How-To Guide [Updated 2024]

    Marketing Plan. Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P's: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a towing truck business, your marketing plan should include the following: Product: In the product section, you should reiterate the type of tow truck company that you documented in your Company Analysis.

  2. Tow Truck Business Plan Sample

    2.1 The Business. Texas Towing Company will be located at a 10-minute drive from SeaWorld, San Antonio, a rich colonial city in Texas. Texas Towing will be, a registered and licensed company owned by Michael Finney, with towing trucks operating in the whole city. All the trucks will be kept in the best condition for working on urgent basis, and ...

  3. PDF 1. Business Plan

    Business Plan: • Begin with a comprehensive business plan. This should include your business goals, target market, services you'll provide (e.g., towing, recovery, roadside assistance), a budget, and financial projections. 2. Legal Structure: • Decide on the legal structure of your business, such as sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation.

  4. Tow Truck Business Plan Template (2024)

    We have prepared a solid tow truck business plan sample that guides you on every stage of your business plan writing. Download Template. Create a Business Plan. It was 1916 when the first tow truck was invented, and towing industry has only grown since then. So starting a towing company can indeed be an attractive and profitable business endeavor.

  5. How to Start a Tow Truck Business in 2024 (Complete Guide)

    Step 1: Choose the towing service you want to provide. Starting a towing business is simply the initial step; you must also decide what type of towing business you want to open. Tow truck companies are classified into two types: retail towing, also known as consensual towing, and non-consensual towing.

  6. How To Write A Winning Tow Truck Business Plan + Template

    Writing an Effective Tow Truck Business Plan. The following are the key components of a successful tow truck business plan:. Executive Summary. The executive summary of a tow truck business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

  7. Tow Truck Business Plan Template

    A solid business plan acts as your strategy guide for building a successful tow truck business. Whether you're an existing trucking business or just starting out, a business plan helps you get organised. Use a business plan to help secure funding for your tow truck business. Every trucking business, new or established, needs a solid business plan.

  8. How to create a tow truck business plan

    How to write a tow truck business plan in 6 steps. In the following sections, we'll guide you through six essential steps to craft an effective tow truck business plan that sets you on the path to starting your tow truck business. Executive summary. Company and domain names. Market analysis and research.

  9. The #1 Towing Business Plan Template & Guidebook

    The #1 Towing Business Plan Template & Guidebook offers a comprehensive and easy-to-follow outline for entrepreneurs looking to launch their own towing enterprise. This guidebook provides helpful tips, actionable strategies, and key insights into creating a successful towing business that can stand the test of time. Written by: Nick. Updated on:

  10. Towing Company Business Plan Template

    Quality Business Plan introduces a Towing Company business plan template, expertly pieced together as a customizable Word document and Excel financial model. This indispensable toolkit is designed for entrepreneurs venturing into the towing industry or those looking to drive their existing towing service to new heights.

  11. Craft a Winning Towing Company Business Plan: 9-Step Checklist!

    Developing a pricing strategy and revenue model is a crucial step in creating a successful business plan for your towing company. By carefully considering your costs, customer preferences, and competitive landscape, you can establish pricing that not only covers your expenses but also maximizes your profit potential. 1.

  12. Tow Truck Business Plan Template (2024)

    TJs Tow Truck Service Services. The following will be the services TJs Tow Truck Service will provide: Towing services within a fifty-mile radius for cars, trucks and vans or small recreational vehicles. Proprietary app that offers up-to-the-minute service details for clients. Battery charges, startups, and servicing.

  13. How to Start a Tow Truck Business

    4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Tow Truck Business (If Needed) In developing your tow truck business plan, you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business.. If so, the main sources of funding for a tow truck business to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors.

  14. Tow Truck Business Plan [Sample Template]

    A Sample Tow Truck Business Plan Template 1. Industry Overview. A tow truck which is also known as a wrecker, a breakdown truck, recovery vehicle or a breakdown lorry is a truck that is used to move broken down, improperly parked, impounded, or otherwise indisposed motor vehicles away from to the road so as to avoid obstruction of free flow of traffic.

  15. Towing Company Business Plan Template

    Download. Business in a Box templates are used by over 250,000 companies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and 190 countries worldwide. Quickly create your Towing Company Business Plan Template - Download Word Template. Get 3,000+ templates to start, plan, organize, manage, finance and grow your business.

  16. Towing Company Business Plan

    Financial Considerations. COMPANY NAME produced $386,000 in sales in 2009 and a net loss of (-$80,000). The firm is projecting $850,000 sales in 2001 and a $78,000 net profit for 2011. The borrower is now requesting $500,000 in grant funding in order to expand the business by purchasing 3 trucks, hiring 3-5 drivers, and hiring 2 office workers.

  17. 2024 Comprehensive Guide to Launching a Towing Business

    Starting a towing business costs between $18,000 and $66,000, averaging about $42,000. The largest is of course the tow truck itself. A new tow truck will run you about $100,000, which means the down payment could be $20,000.

  18. How to Start a Tow Truck Business

    Contact your local DMV, department of transportation, or towing board to learn the relevant information you need to know for your business. 3. Create a business plan. Outline a plan for building your business, so you have a clear guide to follow. Start by outlining what the goals of your business will be.

  19. PDF How to Make Working for The Insurance Companies Work for You

    Motor Clubs: We in the roadside assistance industry call the companies whose job it is to find service providers to provide roadside assistance to an insurance company's customers "motor clubs.". When you see the term, "motor clubs," throughout this book it will be synonymous with the term; "insurance companies.".

  20. How to start a tow truck business

    Many tow truck businesses set their standard towing rate between $75 to $125. On top of this, they then assign a mileage fee between $2 to $4 per mile during towing transit. Once you have done your market research and drawn up your business plan, you are ready to take the next step in starting your towing business.

  21. How to Start Your Own Towing Company

    Apply for Licenses and Permits. Apply for a towing license by contacting your local towing and recovery board or department of motor vehicles. Register your business with the secretary of state's ...

  22. Sample Towing Truck Business Plan

    Safe Towing Truck Services' business structure will be designed in a way that both full time and part-time employees will be able to work there. The company intends to start the company with many full-time employees and qualified truck drivers. There will also be adequate provision and packages for full-time employees.

  23. Towing Operation Business Plan (PDF, Excel, Word)

    This business plan provides a blueprint for how to start and manage your Towing Operation business. Our detailed research and analysis, including interviews with entrepreneurs and stakeholders, will ensure that you plan your future business for success. A business plan is used for various purposes including to (a) Raise funding from investors ...

  24. Federal Register Documents on Public Inspection for 2024-04-10

    Each document posted on the site includes a link to the corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. ... The document will remain on public inspection through the close of business on Monday, April 15, 2024. ... Medicaid; Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan Program; and Basic Health Program. Filed on: 04/05/2024 at 8:45 am Scheduled Pub ...