By Jim Utter
Director of Journalism
Richmond-based Flagstop Car Wash has opened three new sites in central Virginia, including two through acquisitions.
With financial backing from Garnett Station Partners, a New York-based principal investment firm, Flagstop recently acquired two sites – Sudzy Malone Car Wash in Powhatan and Auto Spa Car Wash in Kilmarnock.
Under the terms of their respective deals (financial terms were not disclosed), Sudzy Malone and Auto Spa Wash have been converted to the Flagstop brand and reopened in March and this month (April), respectively.
Flagstop also completed and opened a new greenfield site in Farmville, Va., which officially opened in February.
With the addition of these three sites, Flagstop now operates 24 locations throughout Richmond and the surrounding areas of Virginia, with plans to reach over 25 units by the end of the year.
“Our steady cadence of growth over the past few years reflects the strong demand for our quality services and loyal brand affinity that we’ve cultivated with our customers across the central Virginia region,” Jamie Nester, CEO of Flagstop, said in a statement.
“We are proud of our deep roots in Greater Richmond, and we’re excited to continue to expand our reach in surrounding areas while reinforcing our commitment to the community.”
Since its founding in 1981 in Chester, Va., Flagstop has prioritized a customer-focused business model. Flagstop recently earned the distinction of the “2024 Best Car Wash of Central Virginia” by Virginia Living Magazine.
Since the beginning of Flagstop’s partnership with Garnett Station Partners, which manages over $3.5 billion of assets, the express car wash brand has grown its local footprint with 11 additional sites and remains committed to expanding its regional presence.
“This announcement is a testament to our ability to sustainably scale Flagstop to become the car wash brand of choice with the highest customer satisfaction in the Central Virginia area,” said Spencer Rakes, COO of Flagstop.
“By expanding our express and membership-focused business model into these new locations, we are able to provide even more Virginia communities with our high-quality, affordable and enjoyable car wash experience while positioning our company for transformational growth.”
Garnett Station Partners was founded in 2013 by Matt Perelman and Alex Sloane and partners with entrepreneurial management teams and strategic investors in several core sectors, including consumer and business services, health and wellness, automotive, and food and beverage.
