By Jim Utter
Director of Journalism
Whistle Express officially completed the acquisition of Take 5 Car Wash on Thursday, becoming the largest express car wash company in the United States.
Under the terms of the agreement first announced in February, Whistle paid Take 5’s parent company, Driven Brands, approximately $255 million in cash and delivered a negotiable interest-bearing seller note in the principal amount of $130 million.
The newly combined Whistle Express now operates 530 locations across 23 states.
“This is a major step forward – not just for Whistle, but for the entire express car wash industry,” Jose Costa, CEO of Whistle Express Car Wash, said in a statement. “This acquisition gives us the scale to not only expand our footprint, but to invest more deeply in our team members, elevate the customer experience and bring consistent, high-quality service to more communities.
“We’re focused on delivering value at every touchpoint – and we’re just getting started.”
Take 5 Car Wash locations will transition to the Whistle Express brand in phases over the coming quarters, which will also include significant investments in wash equipment, enhanced technology and signage, streamlined customer experience and a commitment to supporting team members throughout the process.
The decision to bring together two industry giants comes as customers increasingly seek convenience, quality and consistency. Whistle Express, which is backed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, is now positioned to meet that demand.
“This deal represents a meaningful step forward for Whistle’s national growth strategy,” said David Quick, managing director and assistant portfolio manager at Oaktree. “Whistle isn’t following the playbook; they’re rewriting it.
“We’re proud to partner on their vision and confident this is just the beginning of what’s possible.”
Whistle plans to continue investing in key areas to improve the customer experience, including innovative technology; membership packages; eco-friendly practices; state-of-the-art equipment; and a “people first” culture.
