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 key players in the sector:
Express Wash Concepts announced its continued expansion with the grand opening of its 34th Central Ohio Moo Moo Express Car Wash location in Columbus, Ohio. Express Wash operates more than 100 express wash locations across Detroit, Toledo, Daytona, Columbus, Hampton Roads, Va., and Pittsburgh. An additional 35 EWC locations are scheduled to open through 2025.
The Henrico Fire Marshal is investigating a Dec. 16 morning fire at the Splash In car wash on East Parham Road in Henrico County, Virginia. Firefighters were called to the car wash at about 10:06 a.m. ET and marked the fire under control about 50 minutes later. No one was hurt but the facility suffered significant damage.
Water Works Express in Kyle, Texas, raised more than $5,000 in cash donations and toys for local children and families in need as part of its annual Blue Santa Toy Drive, which benefits the Kyle Law Enforcement Association’s Blue Santa Program.
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Crew Carwash recently celebrated the grand opening of its newest location in Whitestown, Indiana, which is the company’s 50th location in the Midwest and fourth featuring Crew’s interior clean service. Family owned since 1948, Crew Carwash is one of the largest car wash companies in the United States with more than 1,000 full-time and part-time employees.
Scotty’s Car Wash, a state-of-the-art, fully touchless, self-service car wash, is now open in Henderson, Nevada. The vibrant LED-lit facility features AI robotics and advanced touch-free systems to clean tires, wheels, and rocker panels without touching the vehicle. Scotty’s will host a grand opening party on Jan. 18.
Clean Express Car Wash has received a conditional use permit from the Richmond Heights (Ohio) Planning Commission to open a new automatic car wash in the Belle Oaks Marketplace development. The company plans to open more than five new car washes in 2025, with over 100 locations currently operating.
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Fast Lane Car Wash will open in the summer of next year, becoming the third car wash in the area around Argyle, Texas. The Town Council first approved it in fall 2022, but a new flood plain study prompted the developer to want to make it bigger and the larger facility was approved in April 2023.
Three months after the Edinburg (Texas) City Council issued proximity and water use restrictions on commercial car washes, the council – by a unanimous vote – approved an exception to the new rules. The change will allow Quick Quack Car Wash to build a commercial car wash less than two miles from its nearest car wash competitor. Construction on the site should be completed by 2027.
Andover Properties announced the acquisition of three car washes in the state of Florida which will be rebranded under its Squeeky’s Car Wash brand. The sites are in Palm Springs, Plant City and Orlando. Andover plans improvements at each location. Palm Springs and Plant City are both express tunnel washes while the Orlando site offers both express wash and full-serve wash and interior detailing options.
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Shark Bay Car Wash recently celebrated the grand opening of its first car wash location on a site in Valdosta, Ga. Shark Bay offers a 120-foot tunnel, free vacuums and interior cleaning products. The tunnel can’t be missed as it’s built like the mouth of a giant shark – teeth and all.
Mister Car Wash announced recently it was transferring its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The voluntary transfer will take effect after the close of business on Dec. 31. Shares of Mister Car Wash are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq when the market opens on Jan. 2, 2025. The shares will continue to be listed under the symbol MCW.
Tinley Park (Illinois) city officials will consider plans next month for a retail shopping center that would include a grocery store, car dealership and gas station with car wash. The town will need to annex property for the project, which covers about 72 acres. The village board will meet to discuss annexation, special use permits and plan approval on Jan. 7, 2025.
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The Squeaky Clean Car Wash in Ithaca, N.Y., plans to add two automated cashier kiosks which its hopes will streamline transactions, including allowing its Unlimited Wash Club owners to complete a wash more quickly. The City of Ithaca’s planning board but sign off on the plan before the upgrade is made.
A regional, family-owned car wash business has expanded with three new locations in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Drive & Shine first opened in South Bend nearly 30 years ago and now has 20 locations throughout southern Michigan and northern Indiana.
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Jennings Real Estate Services Inc. recently completed a $1.1 million commercial property sale in Springfield, Massachusetts, which will mark the site’s transformation from a former funeral home to a new car wash development. Hutton Springfield MA ST LLC purchased the 1.04-acre property which underwent several regulatory hurdles, including rezoning from residential use and acquisition of special permits from the city council.
The Southwest Car Wash Association recently announced Michael Dominguez will be the 2025 CEO Forum speaker. Dominguez will help SCWA Convention attendees gain valuable insights into 2025 market dynamics. As the president and CEO for Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), he leads a team of nearly 80 professionals located among 26 offices across North America and Europe. ALHI serves a membership group of hotels that are independent hotels and independent brands that are an exclusive luxury collection.
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WhiteWater Express Car Wash raised more than $45,000 in its partnership with Susan G Komen, a breast cancer patient advocacy organization. Throughout the month of October, WhiteWater dedicated a portion of proceeds from each car wash to the group. The funds raised will contribute directly to breast cancer research, provide education and resources and support those affected by the disease.
A new Smitty’s Car Wash location recently opened in Celina, Texas. The location celebrated a soft opening in September and a grand opening in early November. The car wash offers a single-wash option as well as monthly membership plans, including a family plan that allows multiple cars under one policy. Smitty’s has locations in Texas, Montana, Illinois and Canada.
Champion Xpress Carwash recently opened a new location in Farmington, New Mexico. To celebrate the opening of their newest location, $1 of every wash between Dec. 4 and 18 was donated to the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital. Champion Xpress has around 55 locations across New Mexico, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, and Texas.
