Car Wash Advisory

05/19/2026

The Car Wash Show 2026 is a wrap — and Nashville delivered.

Three days of education, networking, and industry conversation with 400+ exhibitors and some of the sharpest minds in the car wash space.

Harry Caruso's presentation on "The Car Wash Industry is NOT Unique – Learn What the Next Decade Holds" was a highlight — breaking down how trends shaping car wash today mirror patterns already seen across other industries, giving operators a clearer lens on what's ahead.

If you were there, it was great connecting. If you missed it, check out our recap.

05/15/2026

El Car Wash acquired the Luv-A-Wash car wash location on Pine Ridge Road in Naples, FL, expanding its footprint in the Southwest Florida market.

The site will be integrated into El Car Wash’s network and unlimited membership program, with planned upgrades to operations and amenities to align with the company’s platform standards. The acquisition supports El Car Wash’s broader strategy of growing through acquisitions while continuing greenfield development across Florida.

This transaction strengthens El Car Wash’s presence in Southwest Florida and reflects ongoing consolidation as large express wash operators acquire independent sites to build density and scale. It also underscores El Car Wash’s continued position as one of the most active acquirers in the Florida express wash market.

View this transaction and more in the Car Wash Advisory Top Transactions Database:

Investigate, analyze, and explore the largest transactions in the car wash industry. See the trends and learn who bought who with Car Wash Advisory.

05/08/2026

El Car Wash entered the Boca Raton market through its acquisition of Miracle Car Wash on Federal Highway, marking its first operational site in the city and further expanding its South Florida footprint.

The acquisition increases El Car Wash’s Palm Beach County presence to 16 locations and expands access for more than 75,000 members along a key commuter corridor. The site will continue operating under the Miracle Car Wash name until a full rebrand later this year.

This transaction strengthens El Car Wash’s density in Palm Beach County and reinforces its cluster-based growth strategy across South Florida. It also further solidifies the company’s position as a leading regional consolidator in one of the nation’s most competitive express wash markets.

View this transaction and more in the Car Wash Advisory Top Transactions Database:

Investigate, analyze, and explore the largest transactions in the car wash industry. See the trends and learn who bought who with Car Wash Advisory.

05/07/2026

We’ll be in Nashville for The Car Wash Show 2026 this May 11–13.

With 400+ exhibitors and 60+ hours of education, it’s one of the best places to see new ideas, emerging trends, and technology shaping the industry.

Harry Caruso will be speaking on May 12 at 10:00 AM:
“The Car Wash Industry is NOT Unique – Learn What the Next Decade Holds”

The session breaks down how many of the trends shaping car wash today are following patterns already seen in other industries, helping clarify what operators should be paying attention to next.

There is nowhere else you can enjoy a refreshed education lineup with 60+ hours of new ideas to help you explore where the industry is heading, while connecting with operators and investors across the space.

Looking forward to connecting with others in the industry throughout the week.

Join us here: https://registration.experientevent.com/showCWS261

05/01/2026

Links Car Wash closed out 2025 with the acquisition of three new car wash properties, including operating locations in Leesburg, FL and Fort Myers, FL, along with a development site in Anderson, SC.

The newly acquired Florida sites will transition to the Links Car Wash brand, while the Anderson development marks the company’s second South Carolina expansion and is expected to open in 2026. These transactions further position Links for continued regional growth heading into the new year.

The acquisitions underscore continued investor confidence in express car wash platforms with scalable footprints, recurring revenue, and expansion opportunities. They also reflect broader consolidation trends as operators pursue density and operational efficiencies in strategic growth markets.

View this transaction and more in the Car Wash Advisory Top Transactions Database: https://www.carwashadvisory.com/car-wash-acquisitio

Investigate, analyze, and explore the largest transactions in the car wash industry. See the trends and learn who bought who with Car Wash Advisory.

05/01/2026

Harry Caruso is speaking at The Car Wash Show 2026 this May.

His session will take a broader look at where the industry is headed and why many of the biggest changes are not unique to car wash.

“The Car Wash Industry is NOT Unique – Learn What the Next Decade Holds” May 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM

If you are attending the show, this is a good opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture.

Join here: https://i.snoball.it/p/2jyDtw7P/l/4

04/24/2026

ClearWater Express Wash acquired BlueWave Express in Texas in December 2025, combining 53 sites into an 80+ location express car wash platform primarily across the state.

The transaction was supported by a new financing facility that refinanced existing debt and funded future expansion, positioning the combined company for continued growth. With this acquisition, ClearWater becomes the largest privately owned express car wash operator in Texas, significantly strengthening its scale and market presence.

This deal marks a meaningful step in the ongoing consolidation of the Texas express wash market. Increased density and operational scale enhance brand visibility, improve efficiency, and strengthen competitiveness for customers, real estate, and capital. It also reflects sustained investor confidence in scalable, membership-driven car wash platforms.

View this transaction and more in the Car Wash Advisory Top Transactions Database:

Investigate, analyze, and explore the largest transactions in the car wash industry. See the trends and learn who bought who with Car Wash Advisory.

04/17/2026

LUV Car Wash acquired Champion Car Wash in California in December 2025, adding the Los Angeles location at 3312 W. Florence Ave. to its growing Southern California network.

The acquisition expands LUV’s footprint in one of the most competitive express wash markets in the country and increases access to its Unlimited Wash Membership program across the region. Following the transaction, LUV plans to modernize the site with upgraded equipment, improved traffic flow, and enhanced wash quality to deliver a more consistent, high-level customer experience.

This deal reinforces LUV’s strategic push to build density in the Greater Los Angeles market while reflecting continued consolidation across the express car wash sector. Well-capitalized platforms are actively acquiring established single-site operators to scale recurring revenue models and strengthen long-term market positioning.

View this transaction and more in the Car Wash Advisory Top Transactions Database:

Investigate, analyze, and explore the largest transactions in the car wash industry. See the trends and learn who bought who with Car Wash Advisory.

04/15/2026

Harry Caruso contributes to a deeper look at where the car wash industry stands today and where it’s heading next.

While headlines suggest a slowdown, the reality is different. The industry is not mature and continues to show strong fundamentals.

In the article, Harry explains why public markets often misinterpret the car wash model and how long-term performance, site-level ex*****on, and membership growth continue to drive profitability.

The focus is not on short-term spikes; rather, it is a consistent performance over time.

Read the full article: https://www.carwash.com/carwash-market-shifting/

04/10/2026

Links Car Wash completed a strategic acquisition in January 2026, closing out 2025 with the addition of Clean as a Whistle in Leesburg, Florida, Rocket Shine in Fort Myers, Florida, and a development site in Anderson, South Carolina originally planned as a Take 5 Car Wash.

The Florida locations remain open during their transition to the Links brand, while the Anderson property represents the company’s second initiative in South Carolina and is expected to open as a Links Car Wash in 2026. Together, these moves position Links for continued expansion heading into the new year.

This transaction highlights ongoing consolidation in the highly fragmented express car wash industry, particularly in high-growth Sunbelt markets like Florida and South Carolina. Regional operators are increasingly using acquisitions to build market density, drive operational scale, and strengthen brand presence. The activity also reflects continued investor confidence in scalable, membership-driven car wash platforms with long-term growth potential.

View this transaction and more in the Car Wash Advisory Top Transactions Database:

Investigate, analyze, and explore the largest transactions in the car wash industry. See the trends and learn who bought who with Car Wash Advisory.