About Our Partnership

The next chapter of the S&L Companies family’s franchise journey began with an opportunity to bring their franchising experience to the car wash industry. Growing up around franchising, Elise Liegel and Ava Liegel saw firsthand the importance of strong culture, hospitality, and operational excellence through the example set by their dad, Jeff Liegel, and their uncle, Chad Stevenson.

After seeing the impact of franchising and the opportunities it creates through S&L Companies’ growth with Culver’s, Elise and Ava were inspired to build on their family’s legacy while creating a path of their own with Tommy’s Express.

Today, Elise and Ava are bringing that same commitment to hospitality and excellence to Tommy’s Express. Together, they are developing 12 locations throughout Wisconsin, with additional growth opportunities underway. Their first Tommy’s Express location opened in Portage, Wisconsin, in 2026, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for their family.

Building on generations of family business experience, Elise and Ava are focused on creating exceptional guest experiences, developing strong teams, and becoming active members of the communities they serve. Their journey with Tommy’s Express reflects the same values that have shaped S&L Companies from the beginning: family, partnership, and a commitment to doing things the right way.