🌅Good morning! While Driven Brands is now officially out of the U.S. car wash business, its international segment continues to flourish. Read about the details in this issue of the Car Wash Daily News email newsletter.

👉To give you an idea of what our daily newsletter has to offer, you can access all of its contents - including the long-form version of stories teased on the newsletter. At a later date, as a paid subscriber, you would be able to maintain full access. At that time, only short teasers and summaries will be available in the newsletter and on the Website without a subscription.

We’re excited about offering a new addition to the media landscape to help publicize an underserved industry. I hope you enjoy reading.

Jim Utter
Director of Journalism/Editor in Chief
CW Daily News

Today's issue is sponsored by The Vita Agency — Let’s Drive More Business Your Way.

👉 We’d like your input! Have a story idea or would like us to receive your company’s press releases on your latest news? Email us at [email protected].

🔦TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT🔦

Driven Brands’ international car wash business flourishes in first quarter

TOGETHER WITH THE VITA AGENCY

Power Up Your Car Wash Business with The Vita Agency! 

Whether you own a car wash, supply chemicals, or provide industry services, standing out in this competitive market is key. The Vita Agency specializes in marketing strategies tailored for the car wash industry, helping businesses like yours:

✅ Reach More Customers with SEO & Google Ads

✅ Boost Sales & Leads with Targeted Digital Campaigns

✅ Strengthen Your Brand with Expert Content & Social Media

✅ Retain Clients & Increase Loyalty with Email & SMS Marketing

From operators to vendors, suppliers to service providers, we help car wash industry leaders grow and scale with confidence.

📩 Let’s Drive More Business Your Way!

*Please see the advertising disclosure at the bottom of this newsletter.

✂️SHORTCUTS✂️

   Editor’s Picks 👇

• Swift Car Wash launches expansion in Ontario, Canada, with new acquisition: Swift Car Wash, one of Canada’s fastest-growing express car wash operators, recently acquired the Smitty’s Car Wash location in Cambridge, providing the operator its first entry into the Ontario market. The newly acquired location at 408 Hespeler Rd., Cambridge, marks a significant step toward the express wash’s broader provincial growth across Eastern Canada. As part of the transition, Swift Car Wash plans to significantly invest in the site, with upgrades aimed at enhancing wash quality and improving the customer experience. Read more here.

   Express Hits  🎯 

• There’s a wide range of services available at the new Red Hawk Wash which recently opened in Milton, Wisconsin, about 40 miles southeast of Madison. The site contains an automatic car wash, a pet wash station and – in about a week – two oversized bays should be open for self-washing everything from ATVs to large RVs. The pet wash provides a stainless-steel tub in a climate-controlled room with a fully contained grooming unit, including an 8-horsepower commercial grooming dryer.

• Aquatic Capital Management LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Mister Car Wash Inc. by 76.4 percent during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to a recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 34,661 shares of the company’s stock after selling 112,139 shares during the period. Aquatic Capital Management LLC's holdings in Mister Car Wash were worth $253,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

• Champion Xpress Carwash recently opened its newest location in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, its site in the city. Construction was done by 7B Building & Development, and the site utilizes conveyor car wash equipment from Sonny’s Enterprises. Champion Xpress is a family-owned and operated automated tunnel car wash company with 56 locations across New Mexico, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, and Texas.

  👉 More updates here.

   Making Waves Around the World  🌊 

• Istobal reports €175 million revenue and strong profit margins: Istobal, a global supplier of car wash and vehicle care technology based in Spain, closed the year with €175 million in revenue and stronger margins across key markets. Net profit reached €9 million, while operating cash flow (EBITDA) topped €17 million – nearly 10 percent of total sales and almost double last year’s level. The company, which is marking its 75th anniversary this year, said international growth and rising demand for services and consumables have been key performance drivers. Istobal has recently added new subsidiaries in Germany, Hungary and the Netherlands and now has 16 international branches and 70 percent of its production exported.

  👉 More updates here.

   What’s Coming Up  📅

• 12th Women in Carwash Conference: The biannual conference’s second event of the year is set for Jun 8-10, 2025, at The Charter Hotel in Seattle, Washington. The three-day event includes presentations, hands-on workshops, discussion groups, open forums, networking opportunities, and entertaining experiences. More info here.

• Southwest Fuel & Convenience Expo 2025: The premier event for fuel, food and convenience retailers in the Southwest United States is set for June 9-11, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. More info here.

• Sunshine Expo 2025: The Florida Petroleum Marketers Association’s annual event is July 28-30, 2025, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. More info here.  

• Leadership Worth Following Growth Summit: The LWF’s Growth Summit, designed to bring together car wash professionals committed to growth, impact and authentic leadership, is Sept. 22-23, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. More info here.

• Car Wash Show Europe 2025: The leading car wash trade fair in Europe takes place Sept. 24-25, 2025, at EXPO Greater Amsterdam in the Netherlands. More info here.

• Northeast Regional Carwash Convention 2025: The NRCC, scheduled for Oct. 6-8, 2025, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, includes educational seminars, keynote speakers, and a large trade show. More info here.

• NACS Show 2025: The National Association of Convenience Stores trade show, scheduled for Oct. 14-17, 2025, Chicago, Illinois, brings together convenience and fuel retailing industry professionals for learning, buying and selling and networking. More info here.

• SEMO Show 2025: The Specialty Equipment Market Association’s annual automotive industry tradeshow is Nov. 4-7, 2025, at the Las Vegas (Nevada) Convention Center. Read more here.

• ICA 2026 The Car Wash Show: The International Carwash Association’s premier event is set for May 11-13, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. More info here.

❓DID YOU KNOW❓

Disclaimer: The authors of cwdailynews.com, LLC are not financial or tax professionals. This email is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly recommend conducting your own research and consulting with qualified professionals before making any decisions. Our content, which may include affiliate links, reflects personal opinions and should not be used as the sole basis for decision-making. We are not responsible for any losses resulting from the use of this information.