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ZIPS Car Wash files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, proposes debt restructuring plan

ZIPS expects to reduce its debt obligations by approximately $279 million and secure $15 million of new capital.

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👋Good morning! In a move that was not totally unexpected, ZIPS Car Wash has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and proposed a restructuring plan. We look at what’s ahead for ZIPS 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 - until later this month. After that, as a paid subscriber, you can maintain full access. Otherwise, only short teasers and summaries will be available in the newsletter and on the Website.

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

ZIPS Car Wash expects to greatly reduce debt obligations following Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing

One of the country’s largest privately held car wash operators has voluntarily entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in hopes of greatly reducing its debt obligations.

ZIPS Car Wash, with the support of its existing lenders and equity holders, filed voluntary Chapter 11 cases this week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas.

The move was not unexpected as multiple reports over the last month indicated the company was looking for rent concessions from some properties as well as selling off others. The Atlantic Street Capital-backed company had been in negotiations with lenders including HPS Investment Partners, PennantPark Investment Corp. and Brightwood Capital Advisors.

The first hearing on the case is scheduled today (Feb. 7) before Judge Michelle V. Larson in Dallas, Texas.

Read more here.

➥ SUMMARY

ZIPS, including its brands Rocket Express and Jet Brite, plans to operate in the ordinary course of business during the Chapter 11 cases with no expected changes to its retail and membership offerings.

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✂️SHORTCUTS✂️

  Editor’s Picks 👇

  • Car wash drying systems doing more with less: While the innovations on the washing side have been dramatic - advancements in cleaners and coatings, improved shines and more environmentally friendly choices - the changes on the drying side have been more subtle. Two common areas of improvement have been on the noise level of dryers and the more efficient use of their energy. Car wash operators can also gain greater control over how much air is blown and where and for how long. Read more here.

  Express Hits  🎯 

  • A second location for Bubble’s Foam Farm Car Wash is moving forward in Delafield, Wisconsin, at the location that used to have a Hardee’s after the Plan Commission recently recommended approval of a conditional use permit to the Common Council. The express semi-automated car wash would have a farmhouse-style architecture and use reclaimed water to minimize environmental impact.

  • Arkadios Wealth Advisors, a full-service independent broker dealer and RIA based in Atlanta, Georgia, increased its holdings in Mister Car Wash by 13.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the company’s most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 48,640 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,702 shares during the period, worth $355,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

  • The latest installment of ZIPS Car Wash’s “Car Wash Convos” – where college student-athletes from across the Southeast are interviewed during “ride along” car washes – features University of Arkansas men’s basketball player, Boogie Fland. Fland shares how he celebrates a victory, his favorite Arkansas tradition and offers a glimpse into his laid-back personality. Season 3 features a total of 18 episodes.

  • After nearly a year since a fire destroyed the business, The Car Wash in Bedford Heights, Ohio, has reopened. The business has been a staple in the community for nearly 50 years. The site includes a 175-foot heated facility and utilizes 100 percent biodegradable premium soaps, polish, waxes and sealants. It also has a site in North Randall, Ohio.

    👉 More updates here.

  Making Waves Around the World  🌊 

  • New car wash plans considered by Middlebrough Council: Middlebrough Council planning officers are considering whether to grant planning permission for an “environmentally sustainable car wash facility” in the Parkway Shopping Centre car park in Coulby Newham, an area in North Yorkshire, England. Plans call for the car wash to be covered by two canopies constructed from recycled materials and high enough to accommodate vehicles of varying sizes. If approved, there will also be an office area for staff and storage facility. The developers say the addition will cause minimal disruption to the existing operations of the shopping center. Read more here.

  What’s Coming Up  📅

  • AHR Expo: More than 1,800 HVACR exhibitors are expected at the AHR Expo Feb. 10-12, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. More info here.

  • Southwest Car Wash Association: The organization will hold its annual convention and expo Feb. 26-28, 2025, at the Fort Worth (Texas) Convention Center. More info here.

  • Convenience U CARWACS Show 2025: The Convenience U CARWACS Show – Canada’s largest convenience, gas and car wash industry event – is set for March 4-5, 2025, at the International Centre Hall 5 in Mississauga, Ontario. More info here.  

  • APEC 2025: The leading conference in North America for power electronic professionals will take place March 16-20, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. More info here.

  • Heartland Carwash Association 2025: The organization’s annual product and equipment show will take place March 24-26, 2025, at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. More info here.

  • ICA Car Wash Show 2025: The ultimate gathering for car wash pros returns to the Las Vegas (Nevada) Convention Center April 26-28, 2025. 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.

❓DID YOU KNOW❓

According to a recent report by The Business Research Company, the global car wash service market is valued at $30.99 billion and is expected to grow to $37.23 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7 percent.

🤝 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.