Family Affair

Have you ever worked for your dad? Have you ever employed your son or daughter? I have grown up in this industry, attending carwash conventions, visiting carwashes and washing a few cars. I have been fired several times by my father only to be hired back during the next rush. As a kid, I thought I would make the perfect 15-yearold manager. Dad disagreed. Believe me, it’s tough working for your old man.

Believe it or not, a lot of carwashing families work together without developing ulcers or even killing each other. It’s an amazing industry where operators share resources, knowledge and experiences to help each other run businesses more effectively. Fathers work with daughters, sons, cousins, wives, uncles and mothers. It is often a family affair. In my experience, most operators have had open relationships with each other. As owner of TalkCarWash.com, I have seen complete strangers give valuable advice to each other.

Earlier this summer my father, Jimmy Branch, and Benny Alford, both second-generation washers, decided to have an informal gathering to celebrate families in the carwashing business. The Alford family (Benny’s Car Wash) volunteered to host the event and offer tours of the family’s five beautiful locations in Baton Rouge, La.

Going to Benny’s is always a treat. One of my first memories is of going to a Benny’s Car Wash when I was about 6 years old. Some 20 years later, I found myself taking my 7-month-old son, Jimmy, to his first carwash meeting and tour. Maybe one day he will be a fourth-generation carwasher.

If the name Ben Alford rings a bell, it should. He helped pioneer the free vacs, autocashier, gated concept combination often called express exterior. His hard work has made a lot of people a lot of money. The Alfords have mentored and helped many operators by sharing their knowledge and experiences. There is no doubt why Ben Alford was inducted into the International Carwash Association carwash Hall of Fame in 2004.

During our informal meeting this summer, the Alfords once again opened their doors to fellow carwashers and allowed us to walk around their washes and offices to get a first-hand look at what makes them successful.

Attendees ranged from sisters with just a few years of experience to Sonny Fazio, owner of equipment supplier Sonny’s Enterprises Inc., who has been washing vehicles since the horse and buggy. Well, almost. Sonny started washing cars in 1949, and he will tell you he’s been washing cars so long that he bleeds little cars.

While the meeting was, in essence, a celebration of family carwashing, it also laid the foundation to help preserve open dialog among future generations of carwashers. My favorite piece of advice was when I overheard someone ask about how to meet other carwashers. “Call them, tell them you own a carwash and that you want to take them to dinner,” someone replied. “You will have a friend for life.”

So there it is. I challenge you to make a new carwash friend and share your experiences and mistakes. Take the time to learn from others, ask questions and participate in your regional and international associations. If you missed this year’s gathering in Baton Rouge, don’t worry. There might be another one next year.