WEEK IN REVIEW

Author

Jim Utter
May 17, 2025

Shine brightest with all the dirt from the Car Wash industry

TOGETHER WITH

Let’s Drive More Business Your Way!

🌅Good morning! Welcome to the weekend. Each Saturday, we’ll send out a truncated version of the Car Wash Daily News email newsletter, which will include a roundup of the top stories that appeared over the course of the previous week.

👉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].

WEEKEND ROUNDUP

A look back at the week’s top stories:

👉IPS launches a new insurance line program dedicated to tunnel car wash operators

Innovative Program Solutions, a full-service Managing General Agent (MGA) practice focused on designing specialized insurance programs, has launched a new lines program specifically created for tunnel car wash operators. IPS, a subsidiary of Holmes Murphy – one of the nation's largest privately held insurance brokerages, has partnered with Liberty Mutual Insurance in designing the program to help drive down the total cost of car wash risks. Read more here.

👉Driven Brands’ international car wash business flourishes in first quarter

While Driven Brands completed a sale of its U.S.-based car wash operations, its 2025 first quarter earnings showed its international segment provided strong results for the company. On April 10, Driven Brands officially closed its sale of its Take 5 Car Wash operations to Whistle Express Car Wash – a $385 million deal that was first announced in late February. Read more here.

👉Clean Express Auto Wash expands in metro Detroit area

Express Wash Concepts recently announced the grand opening of a pair of new Clean Express Auto Wash locations, expanding the brand’s footprint in the metro area of Detroit, Michigan. EWC now operates 113 express wash locations across Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Dayton Columbus, Pittsburgh and Hampton Roads, Va. Read more here.

👉WashTec is leading the charge in the ‘digitalization’ of the international car wash industry

WashTec, a leading provider of innovative car wash systems and solutions used internationally, has introduced a comprehensive new line of digital services to improve services for operators and customers. With the introduction of SmartCare Connect, which uses sensors to detect vehicle size and adjust wash programs automatically, and a slew of new digital services, WashTech hopes to present itself as a holistic solution for its customers. Read more here.

👉Jax Kar Wash surges to 50 locations so far this year

Michigan-based Jax Kar Wash has kicked off 2025 with rapid expansion, adding nine new locations in the first quarter alone. The new locations – which have come through a mix of acquisitions and greenfield developments – bring Jax to 50 locations across Michigan and Wisconsin. Read more here.

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

📅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.

🤝 To advertise with CW Daily News, email [email protected] 

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.