Mister Car Wash expands into Maryland market
TUCSON, Ariz. — Mister Car Wash has acquired two Maritime Car Wash sites in Maryland, giving the company its first locations in the state, according to a press release.
The two new facilities bring Mister Car Wash’s total count to 138 full-serve washes and 31 lube centers across 15 states.
“2015 has started out with a bang for us with acquisitions in Utah and Maryland,” says John Lai, CEO of Mister Car Wash, in the release. “We’re excited about introducing our comprehensive training programs and progressive career tracks to our newest employees, and I personally welcome everyone who loves their cars to come experience our signature brand of service.”
Mister Car Wash has nearly 5,000 employees. It is an operating company of Leonard Green & Partners LP.
Driver speeds through wash at 40 mph
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — No one was hurt after a 94-year-old man sped through Quick Quack Car Wash at 40 miles per hour, according to WFSB.com.
The man paid, then surprised workers when he took off through the wash.
Surveillance cameras caught the incident on video. The video shows the driver speeding through the wash and crashing into the other side in the vacuum area.
“Another lady who was in the back, vacuuming her car, actually backed her car out and pulled out about five seconds before impact,” shares Mitch Shiveley, site manager for the wash, in the article.
A conveyor usually takes vehicles through the tunnel while they are in neutral. According to the wash, the elderly driver could not take his foot off the gas pedal.
Damages totaled nearly $100,000, and most of them have been fixed.
AAA opens first carwash
MADISONVILLE, Ohio — AAA Auto Wash recently opened in the former Rainbow Car Wash facility, according to local12.com.
“It is the first ever AAA-branded carwash,” says the article.
The wash is a full-serve location. Customers’ cars are vacuumed, and then they go through the wash on a conveyor. Afterwards staff members hand dry each vehicle.
The company renovated the wash with new equipment before opening.
Customers enjoyed refreshments and give-a-ways over the weekend to celebrate the grand opening.
AAA members will receive discounts at the wash, but the facility is open to anyone.
Super Bowl ad features themed carwash
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — NS Wash Systems’ El Segundo Express Car Wash was featured in a Super Bowl commercial featuring Mindy Kaling, according to NS Wash Systems’ Sydney Knott.
In the ad, Kaling, of The Office and The Mindy Project notoriety, believes she is invisible to the world, so she walks through a carwash.
“My writers and I had so much fun brainstorming ideas for this ad because it was all about wish fulfillment,” says Kaling in an eonline.com article. “All of us, even beautiful, young Hollywood celebrities like me, have been in situations where we feel invisible.”
NS Wash Systems strives to create memorable carwash experiences with its various themes. Read Professional Carwashing & Detailing’s “From the Trenches” profile on the wash in our February issue.
Jacksons takes over Danny’s Family Car Wash
PHOENIX — Danny’s Family Car Wash is now part of Jacksons Food Stores, according to KPHO.com.
Jacksons recently purchased Danny’s 13 washes, 11 convenience stores and other car care facilities.
Cory Jackson, president of Jacksons, says in the article his company is investing millions to upgrade the facilities, including adding new equipment. It will also honor all coupons, gift cards and vouchers from Danny’s.
Daniel Hendon, the former owner of Danny’s Family Car Wash, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of identity fraud in 2014. The plea came after federal investigators discovered the wash was employing unauthorized workers at the business.
Thirteen managers also admitted their involvement in the scheme. Hendon was sentenced to one year in prison and one year of home confinement.
Wash partners with gas station for 16th location
CERES, Calif. — Prime Shine Car Wash has opened its 16th location with its second in the area, according to a press release.
It opened along with a new Cruisers gas station and convenience store in a busy area of town.
“We partnered with our good friends at Cruisers for the ultimate in convenience,” shares Evan Porges, Prime Shine president, in the release.
Prime Shine has another location in Ceres, which opened in 1994. It is still one of the company’s busiest sites.
The carwash saves water and energy with environmentally friendly processes. Around 95 percent of the water used on each vehicle is reclaimed and reused.
Prime Shine began in 1991. It is the only member of the International Carwash Association’s WaterSavers program in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.
Splash development includes new sites, equipment retrofits
CROMWELL, Conn. — Splash Car Wash recently opened its 18th location as a Splash Express Exterior Wash, according to a press release.
The location has self-serve and in-bay automatic bays. As cars ride through the tunnel they begin with the Foaminator, covering the vehicle with a thick blanket of soap.
The site also offers free self-serve vacuums to use after the wash.
Splash will open its 19th location in Stratford soon. It will include an express exterior wash and oil change, as well as free vacuums.
The company has also started construction on a new, $4 million location in Bedford Hills, New York. The site should be complete in May.
Splash has also earmarked nearly $2 million in equipment and aesthetic improvements. Its express exterior stores will be retrofitted with new equipment and free self-serve vacuums where possible.
Remodeled wash increases efficiency with loyalty program
FOND DU LAC, Wis. — Jet Stream Car Wash has remodeled with new equipment and technology, according to fdlreporter.com.
The renovation added free self-service vacuums, a new computer system and technology to support more sustainability and efficiency.
The wash also introduced its Unlimited Monthly Exterior Wash Plan. The plan improves speed of service for all customers since plan subscribers use a dedicated lane when they visit.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used to manage the loyalty program.
Equipment was also added to emphasize water and electrical conservation.
“We've been known as a full-service carwash for over 50 years, and we'll continue to be a full-service carwash,” says Jet Stream owner Walt Tack in the article. “However, there's a whole population of people out there who only want a high quality exterior carwash, and they want it fast. Now they have that option.”
New Quick Lane can wash 1,000 cars per day
SPRING, Texas — A new Quick Lane under construction will have 28 lanes for oil changes as well as a carwash capable of washing 1,000 cars per day, according to Autonews.com.
The location will be Ford’s largest Quick Lane operation to date.
Dealer Randall Reed and General Manager Shawn Burns believe the carwash is their secret weapon in beating out competitors like nearby Pep Boys and Jiffy Lube.
“We'll be offering something no other fast oil service does: A free car wash with your package,” states Reed in the article. “It's seamless to the consumer.”
Burns shares in the article the carwash will help keep customers in his service department after their warranties expire. Oil changes may not bring hefty profits, but return customers may have brake work done or they may purchase new tires.
The new location is situated about two miles from a 385-acre lot ExxonMobil is building on, which is driving up traffic in the area.
