Are You Committed to Growth?

After a year where so many businesses struggled, the car wash industry remained steady and even thrived in some markets, making it an even more enticing investment opportunity. Competition continues to increase as operators look to expand and private equity investors look to capitalize.

“I think we’ve reached an inflection point in our industry where operators who have somewhere between 3 and 30 washes are facing competition from some of these big guys [private equity investors],” said Bill Martin, owner and operator of Metro Express Car Wash founding partner of Amplify Car Wash Advisors.

When looking to separate yourself from the competition, Martin says first you need to reflect on who you are as a company.

“We need to focus on our core strengths and our core values as a company and build around that…It’s not always about who’s got the deepest pockets, but who can manage the business the best.”

Along with those operational core values and strengths, you need to constantly be evaluating the sites you already have in place. Growth isn’t only about expansion; it’s also about reinvesting in your already established locations.

“You open a car wash one day and you have to invest money every day that it’s open until the day you close it,” said Benny’s Car Wash co-owner Justin Alford. “It’s a living, breathing thing that you have to constantly nurture.”

Two areas essential to growth and to staying ahead of the competition are technology and equipment. Without an investment in modern technology and solutions, smaller operators face even greater pressure from larger private equity investors who have the ability to scale rapidly.

Again, Martin says this another time for reflection and an honest evaluation.

“Are you going to grow? Are you going to reinvest in the business? Are you going to add technology?…If you stand still, if you’re not willing to make that investment, if you’re not willing to push forward then you really should evaluate –

1. Where are you today?

2. Where are you going to be in three to five years?

Because if you’re not willing to make that investment, you probably need to be looking over your shoulder.”

More Content You May Love

Case Study: Going Prep-Less In Alaska — How Sudzy Salmon Reached 300+ Cars/Hour

See how Sudzy Salmon in Anchorage optimized a fixed-layout tunnel to go fully prep-less, hit 300+ cars/hour, and boost memberships.

Why Prep-Less Car Washes Work: Increase Throughput, Cut Labor, and Improve Quality

Manual prep adds cost and inconsistency. At Hoffman innovateIT, we’ve gone prep-less across 33 high-volume washes—improving efficiency, customer experience, and profitability. Here’s how you can do the same.

Hoffman innovateIT Expands Sales Team to Better Serve Car Wash Operators Nationwide

Hoffman innovateIT has expanded its car wash equipment sales team to strengthen support in the Southeast and Western U.S. Meet the new regional managers driving growth.

The Best of 2024: Powered By You

Discover the top products, innovations, and insights that defined 2024 —thanks to your spark and support.

Reclaim the Future: Transforming Your Car Wash with Smarter Water Solutions

Discover how reclaim systems work, their benefits for car wash operations, and how they can cut water usage, lower costs, and boost sustainability in your business.

The Operator Advantage: Why Car Wash Equipment Built by Operators Outperforms the Rest

Learn why car wash equipment built by operators, for operators, makes all the difference.

NRCC Special - 15% Off All Orders Banner

NRCC Show Special

Take advantage of our Car Wash Show Special and get 15% off our dispenseIT Chemical Delivery System.

Webinar: Reclaim Your Water and Your Profits

Learn actionable strategies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and drive profitability for your car wash.

Setting Up Your Car Wash For Success: Reducing Labor Costs and Enhancing Quality

In this blog, we explore how automating the prepping process in your car wash can reduce labor costs and enhance quality. We’ll discuss the impact of the time on task effect, compare human versus machine prepping, and provide key considerations for selecting durable, low-maintenance, and efficient automated equipment. Learn how to achieve consistent, top-notch results while managing rising labor costs and improving operational efficiency.

Tunnel Equipment

Backroom Equipment

Control Equipment

More

Are You Committed to Growth?

More Content You May Love

Request More Info

Products

More

Tunnel Equipment

Backroom Equipment

Control Equipment

Tunnel
Equipment