Staff Reports
The car wash industry continues to expand and innovate with acquisitions, new openings, and renovations. Here’s a roundup of the latest news from around the industry:
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Links Car Wash continues its expansion in Florida with the opening of a second Tampa location at 14504 Basswood Ave. To celebrate, Links Car Wash will host a “Free Wash Weekend” at the new location June 21-22, inviting the local community to enjoy a complimentary Ultimate Wash. Links Car Wash is focused on acquiring and revitalizing car wash locations with a modern approach. Amenities include complimentary vacuums, mat cleaners, towels, and window cleaners.
Fentanyl was seized from King’s Car Wash in Providence, Rhode Island, last week after the Drug Enforcement Administration served a federal search warrant. A report from ABC6 News said multiple people were detained at the scene when the warrant was served. A spokesperson for the DEA said the investigation is ongoing and the agency would have no additional comment. The car wash remains closed for now.
AquaShine Express Car Wash celebrated the grand opening of its newest location last Friday in Sarasota, Florida. Despite early-morning thunderstorms in the area, the site provided nearly 250 free car washes and matched donations made to the local non-profit All Star Children’s Foundation. The grand opening was also featured on a 4½ minute segment on ABC7’s “Suncoast View” show.
A new Club Car Wash location recently opened in Sussex, Wisconsin. Club features different options for car washes such as scented soap, tire shine or foaming bath options. It also has an unlimited membership option where people can pay a monthly price for unlimited car washes and no contract. Club Car Wash opened its first location in Columbia, Missouri, in 2006 and now has more than 150 locations across 13 different states.
A new Platinum Car Wash location at 1251 Farmington Ave. is nearing completion in Bristol, Connecticut, with an expected grand opening in late July. The site will feature 18 vacuum stalls and a 130-foot hybrid model wash tunnel, which employs both friction-based and touchless washing. The site also uses eco-friendly Simoniz products and a state-of-the-art water treatment system. The second Bristol location will be the company’s fifth, all of which are in Connecticut.
Gentle Wave Car Wash opened late last month in South Bend, Indiana, and recently celebrated its grand opening. The site, which was designed by Car Wash Pro Designers and built by New Path Construction, features 30 vacuum stations and broke ground in June 2024.
The Amarillo (Texas) Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for tips on two people seen on camera burglarizing the Quick Quack Car Wash at 2400 S. Georgia St. A man and woman were caught on camera earlier in the morning forcing their way into the car wash. Anyone with information about the suspects’ identities is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (806) 374-4400, submit a tip online at amapolice.org, or use the P3 Tips app. An anonymous tip leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
New Day Car Wash is holding grand openings on two new locations this month – in Fultonville, Alabama, and 5305 Highway 280 in Birmingham. New Day marks the launch of each new location with a grand opening celebration featuring their philanthropic initiative, Wash for a Cause, which provides customers the opportunity to support local organizations while enjoying a free wash. The Fultonville site’s grand opening runs through Sunday while the Birmingham site’s event is June 19-22.
Tommy’s Express Car Wash, the fastest-growing car wash brand in the nation, will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Free washes are available at the site through June 15. Amenities at the site include complimentary floor mat washers and high-powered vacuum stations. With nearly 250 franchise locations across North America, Tommy’s Express ranks No. 1 in the car wash category on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list and is also recognized on the list of Fastest-Growing Franchises.
According to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, the Splash Car Wash at 1005 S. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville, Arkansas, has a new owner. Springfield, Missouri-based Big Ranch LLC purchased the site – which includes a 5,825-square-foot tunnel car wash – for $5.55 million. The seller was Little Rock, Arkansas-based Splash Redbud LLC, managed by Drew Holbert. Built in 2023, the tunnel car wash is on 1.08 acres north of a 10,898-square-foot shopping center. Splash Redbud paid $1.22 million for the property in September 2022.
The Unlimited Wash Rite Express Car Wash has officially opened at 121 DiGregory Ave. in Steubenville, Ohio. To celebrate the opening, the car wash is offering a ‘Freedom Club’ special, where all memberships are priced at $10 a month for the first two months, regardless of the package selected. The car wash operates 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays.
A new Tsunami Express Car Wash will open on June 11 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The site will celebrate its grand opening June 11-22 with free washes and will sell memberships for $5 for the first month. The $5 memberships will be donated back to Special Spaces of Wisconsin, a nonprofit that delivers bedroom makeovers for children with cancer. The new site is the second in the area, with a location in Wisconsin Rapids having opened May 14. A third location is scheduled to open in July in Plover.
