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:
A man was found shot to death in the middle of a car wash bay in Marietta, Georgia, on Monday, according to the city police department. Marietta Police said shortly after 8 p.m. ET, Cobb County 911 dispatch notified them that a man was found lying on the ground at the self-service car wash. The police department said EMS tried to give the man medical attention, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two car washes have recently opened in Livingston County, Michigan – one an upgraded and reopened site and the other brand new. Vaid Abro, owner of Drip Car Wash, will open a third location at the former Classic Car Wash in spring or summer. He also upgraded the former Lake Effect Auto Wash.
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Steamericas recently debuted its Optima Steamer technology, which provides power stations as replacements for gas-powered generators and designed to meet stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards and Small Off-Road Engine (SORE) regulations that cover pressure washers under 25 HP (power washers, car washes and HVAC services, etc). Steamericas diesel steamers do not idle, have no engines, and require only about 300 watts of power.
ModWash recently opened new express car wash locations in Pennsylvania – in Gibsonia and Meadville. Founded in 2020, ModWash has become an industry leader in express car wash services by prioritizing innovation, customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility. The company operates roughly 120 locations.
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Despite the addition of multiple warnings signs to help prevent backed up traffic entering the Wash-Rite Car Wash in Wintersville, Ohio, the site continues to be plagued by cars stopped and lined up on the main road. In addition to the signs, the site has also had an employee stationed at the entrance to direct traffic. Local police have the option to issue a $100 to $250 fine for stopping on the main road, which may be the next option.
The Escanaba (Michigan) City Council recently approved a rezoning of a site along North 30th Street to a light manufacturing district. The move is expected to open the door to the construction of a car and truck wash once the necessary permits are approved by the state. Previously, the land was a combination of heavy manufacturing and commercial districts.
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NuWay Car Wash, which began as City Wash by founders Gail and Jim Buck, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. NuWay is currently owned by the couple’s son, Perry, and the company now has three locations in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Their locations offer state-of-the-art cleaning and maintenance techniques, including Xtreme and Cera Bond and super-sealant ceramic protection against the harshest weather elements.
The latest installment of ZIPS Car Wash’s “Car Wash Convos” – where college student-athletes from across the Southeast are interviewed during “ride along” car washes – features University of Texas women’s volleyball player Emma Halter. Halter shares what foods you might find under her driver’s seat, the ‘coach-ism’ she remembers most and how she developed a love for volleyball. Season 3 will feature a total of 18 episodes.
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A recommendation by Watsonville, California, city staff to deny a special use permit for a Quick Quack Car Wash will return to the city’s planning commission this week after it had previously tabled the discussion in November. The planned site would operate on a vacant 1.18-acre site. Quick Quack is a Roseville-based chain of car washes with more than 100 locations throughout California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Utah.
Happy’s Drive Thru Car Wash in Medford, Oregon, has closed temporarily for an unusual reason – too much water. Open only about four months, pooled rainwater caused part of the facility’s roof to give way. The site is currently assessing the extent of the damage.
A decision by the Providence County (Rhode Island) Superior Court clears the way for a Scrub-A-Dub Car Wash to be built on a site in North Providence, R.I. Scrub-A-Dub has sought to develop a car wash facility on property that was previously utilized as a Friendly’s Ice Cream restaurant. The town’s zoning board unanimously approved the application, but the decision was appealed by a group of local residents. The Superior Court affirmed the decision of the zoning board.
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The Kwik Trip in Germantown, Wisconsin, is looking to move to a new location, where it would build a new facility that includes a two-bay car wash, more fueling options and increased store space. The Germantown Village Board Monday recently approved a conditional use permit for the project and a zoning change from general business district to highway business district. The move is expected to be completed by the end of April.
Jane Street Group LLC lifted its holdings in Mister Car Wash in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 99,099 shares of the company’s stock (worth $645,000) after buying an additional 74,673 shares during the quarter.
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During a recent meeting, Lewisville (Texas) City Council members approved a special use permit for a Quick Quack Car Wash location to open after remodeling a site formerly occupied by Kwik Kar. It’s the third Quick Quack location planned in Lewisville. The franchise was founded in California in 2004 and now features more than 250 locations in five states.
Whitewater Express Car Wash recently opened their newest location in Baytown, Texas. The express wash chain, founded in 2015, and based in Houston is ranked among the top 15 car wash companies in the United States by Car Wash Advisory with around 130 sites across six states.
The newest installment of ZIPS Car Wash’s “Car Wash Convos” – where college student-athletes from across the Southeast are interviewed during “ride along” car washes – features University of Georgia gymnast Lily Smith. Smith shares what advice she’d give her younger self and her go-to guilty pleasure snacks. Season 3 features a total of 18 episodes.
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Ferrara-Buist Companies, a design-assist-build construction firm, is partnering with architect KW Designs to build a new car wash in Summerville, S.C. The Wash Wizard location on Bacons Bridge Road will be the company’s second in Summerville and third overall (the other is in Ladson, S.C.). The Wash Wizard sites feature a 26-foot wide and 180-foot-long tunnel that incorporates a themed car wash experience and colorful LED light show.
Whistle Express Car Wash recently announced the results of its successful fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Whistle raised $34,648 to benefit 27 local children’s hospitals across the Midwest and Southeast. The fundraising campaign ran from Sept. 16 to Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3) in 2024, and included $14,000 raised through onsite events at grand openings and local wash activations hosted in collaboration with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
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An amendment to an existing planned development district to allow a tunnel express car wash with vacuum stations at 2668 and 2678 U.S. 17 South in Brunswick, Georgia, was recently by the Glynn County Mainland Planning Commission. A site plan for the planned car wash was also unanimously approved.
The Classy Chassis Car Wash location in Lakewood, Washington, recently reopened for business following an extensive remodeling of the car wash and detailing center. Customers are reminded that some construction continues around the building and lobby entrance. The main Lakewood location features an automatic tunnel wash, hand washing, an Xpress Lube, coffee shop and retail store.
Marcus & Millichap, a leading commercial real estate firm specializing in investment sales, financing, research and advisory services, recently completed the sale of a new El Car Wash in Miami, Florida, for more than $6.7 million. The property includes a newly constructed, state-of-the-art express car wash facility with a 120-foot tunnel.
