This and That

This and That

It’s time again for Modern Car Care’sTop 50 list of conveyor carwash chains in the United States. This year’s top company, Wash Depot Holdings of Malden, Mass., came in with a whopping 72 locations. This number represented a four-location increase over 2005. The number-50 carwash, Shur Kleen of Lacey, Wash., rounded out the Top 50 with seven carwashes.

Mace Security came in second, holding steady at 49 washes. In the number-three position with 43 washes is family-owned Autobell Car Wash, which added one location in 2005. Nearly half of the Top 50 increased their number of locations since last year. Only six companies decreased their holdings in the last year. Minuteman Car Wash of Deerfield Beach, Fla., and Mike’s Express of Indianapolis, Ind., both grew by three locations.

A few companies to keep your eyes on in 2006 include Splash & Dash Car Wash of Sacramento, Calif., which plans to have seven locations by the end of 2006. Richard Karle, the owner of Quick N Clean carwashes in Phoenix, has three washes up and running, one under construction and two more in the planning stages.

Enjoy the 2006 Modern Car Care Top 50 list. It’s the original!

I’d like to commend the owners and employees of Brown Bear Car Wash for working so hard to bring the Seattle-area carwash chain back up to company standards after years of being leased by a major corporation. (See cover story on p. 46.) It is quite an undertaking, but I know it will be worth all of the effort—for the owners, employees and the people of greater Seattle.

It’s hard to believe that it’s time again for the International Carwash Association’s Car Care World Expo. This year’s show will be held in Las Vegas from March 13 to 15. While I enjoy all of the regional tradeshows I attend each year, I have to admit that Car Care World Expo is my favorite event. From the educational sessions and exhibits to the chance to catch up with old friends, you can’t beat it. Hope to see you there. For more information on the show, go to www.carcarecentral.com.

Tracy Charuhas
Editor In Chief
tracyc@vpico.com