Carwash business strategy shifts in 2025

A common theme dominated many of the educational sessions at The Car Wash Show™ in Las Vegas: the need for operational excellence with a solid carwash business strategy. After years of fast expansion, many quality operators now focus on proven methods to outperform competitors. These back-to-basic strategies include service with a smile, strong wash results, memorable experiences and prioritizing customer satisfaction. That is how successful operators are now dominating their regions through discipline and consistent execution.

Longstanding operators have always followed these principles as market trends come and go. Insiders note some newcomers and large investors had to learn that aggressive building alone doesn’t ensure customer traffic.

This month marks the year’s midpoint, a pivotal period for the professional carwashing industry. Top operators keep acquiring or building new locations while PE firms actively decide whether to remain invested or exit.

The importance of having a sound carwash business strategy

Chris Jenks, partner and CEO of Amplify Capital Group, led a standout session I attended at the show. I also hosted him earlier this year on “Wash Talk” in an episode titled, “2025 M&A carwash industry trends.” During the podcast, Jenks emphasized the wake-up call many experienced about carwashing’s unique and demanding business environment.

“There’s now been a greater extensive urgency and focus around improving operations. That’s one thing this industry is still getting our arms around holistically is there’s a big gap in operating talent. It is very difficult to operate in this industry. There are few industries like carwashing. There are assimilations to retail and hospitality, but the reality is the combination of retail, hospitality and industrial manufacturing — [it’s] all rolled into one really unique business that’s consumer oriented. It takes a very specific skill set to deliver at scale and I think there’s a greater appreciation for that today,” explained Jenks.

Looking ahead: big moves expected

During the same episode, I also asked Jeff Pavone, Amplify Capital Group’s founding partner, what we might expect in 2025. He responded, “Think big. I think big things will happen. You have a lot of these platforms that started five to six years ago, and private equity has a certain runway, and they’ve got to do something. There’s a lot of discussions going on among the big players. There’s nothing that would shock me.”

Shortly after that conversation, headlines confirmed Pavone’s predictions of major industry news. Insiders say even more significant developments could arrive soon.

Whether you’re a buyer, seller or neither, are you not entertained? This also isn’t a bad question to ask customers while pursuing operational excellence supremacy.