Around the Industry - January 2015 - Professional Carwashing & Detailing

Around the Industry – January 2015

Gathering most important news from the carwash and detailing industry.

Mister Car Wash loyalty program boasts 130,000 members

CINCINNATI — Mister Car Wash’s Unlimited Wash Club offers customers unlimited washes for a monthly fee, according to loyalty360.org.

“We continue to see our landscape shift towards a more member-centric operating platform as our program growth is being driven by both new and existing markets,” says Mister Car Wash Director of Marketing Chris Northey, in the article.

Data analytics can be used to deliver programs to customers, according to Northey in the article. He notes the company is using the practice “to bring attractive and relevant offers to all Mister Car Wash customers.”

Customer loyalty is also an evolving process, adds Northey. “What drives loyalty today may not have the same effect tomorrow. Our task is to find ways to continue to add value to the customer as their wants and needs change over time,” he explains in the article.

Australian small businesses growing steadily amid financial woes

GLEN WAVERLEY, Australia — Nearly two million new small businesses have opened across the country over the past five years, despite the ongoing global financial crisis, according to ITWire.com.

The number of small businesses in Australia has increased by 1.4 percent to 1.9 million since 2009.

Due to the financial crisis, small business revenue gains fell from 20 percent in 2009 to 10 percent in 2014.

Cloud accounting software vendor MYOB CEO Tim Reed states in the article that small businesses have shown resilience over the last five years, and they feel revenue will increase over the next five years.

Dissatisfaction with Australia’s Labor Government was also at a high until 2012 at 57 percent. Some see the Coalition Government, which came to power last year, as having a friendlier agenda for businesses.

Small businesses have been interested in customer retention and acquisition strategies, as well as the number and variety of products offered.

Midterm voters increase minimum wage

NEW YORK — Voters in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota approved measures to raise their states’ minimum wages above the federally mandated $7.25 an hour, according to Forbes.

More than two-thirds of Alaskan voters raised the minimum wage to $9.75 by 2016, and 75 percent of Arkansas voters agreed to raise the wage to $8.50 by 2017.

Nebraska voters agreed on $9 by 2016, and 53 percent of South Dakota voters decided to raise the wage to $8.50 by 2015.

San Francisco voters increased the city wage to $15 per hour, and Illinois residents voted to increase its wage to $10 an hour by next year.

States focused on other benefits as well. Massachusetts must now provide mandatory sick leave.

Despite the wage increase, low-wage workers may suffer from shortened work weeks.

C-store chain supports veterans with franchise giveaway contest

DALLAS — As part of its Veterans Day celebration, 7-Eleven Inc. launched Operation: Take Command, a franchise giveaway program to support veterans, according to a press release.

The winner will receive a waiver of the franchise fee, valued at up to $190,000, to franchise any 7-Eleven store in the continental U.S. available at the contest’s culmination.

Veterans who are first-time 7-Eleven franchise applicants can enter online at veteransfranchisegiveaway.com through Jan. 25. The winner will be announced in April 2015.

“7-Eleven is a winner, too, because veterans bring top-notch leadership skills, a can-do attitude and mission-oriented focus to their business,” shares DePinto in the release.

Wash raises funds for Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre

VICTORIA, Australia — Grand Wash Auto raised $6,039 during its appeal for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, according to a press release.

“In addition to our business donation, we established a new system on our pay stations that enabled customers to donate effortlessly,” adds Sadiku in the release. “We are looking forward to getting involved again next year.”

An estimated 2,000 people participated in the walk total, and more than $136,000 was raised in peer-to-peer fundraising alone, states Director of Fundraising Sharon Hillman, in the release.

Former Danny’s owner to spend one year behind bars

PHOENIX — Danny Hendon, former owner of Danny’s Family Car Wash, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and 12 months of home detention for illegal hiring practices, according to azcentral.com.

Prosecutors had recommended an 18-month prison sentence and 19 months of home confinement, reported the article. He faced a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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