Family Carwash Profile: PDQ Car Washes

Rebecca and Red Lewis

Answers submitted by Rebecca Lewis and William “Red” Lewis

Headquarters: Green Bay, Wis.
Year Founded: 1962
Founder: William “Red” Lewis
Number of Locations Then: One
Number of Locations Now: Eight
Carwash Services Offered: Full service, exterior washes
Add-on Profit Centers: Express lubes
Number of Family Members Currently Working for Your Organization: Two

Why carwashing? How did your family get started in the carwash business?
Red began his carwashing career as an employee at what is now PDQ East. In 1967, at age 25, he was named manager. He became partner in 1968, and in 1974 he took sole ownership of the site. Red continued to grow PDQ by purchasing existing carwashes, as well as building new ones. In 1981, Red’s daughter Rebecca joined the company as a line employee. For her, it was not a matter of if she would join the company, but when.

Since your family has been in the carwash industry, what are the three most significant developments that have helped the success of your business?
As we acquired existing carwashes it became clear early on that we needed to upgrade the image of professional carwashes to something that customers would not be hesitant to use. We remodeled these washes to create a more open feeling for customers. All customer areas were opened up, cleaned and brightened. We still make sure today that our facilities are clean and open.

The development and refinement of touch-free washing in the ’80s and ’90s also had a major impact on our business. This opened up a whole new world of market opportunities, virtually eliminated the perception in customers’ minds that professional carwashes damaged their vehicles, and again made the tunnels much more open and “friendly.”

Please discuss the impact that the carwash business has had on your family or the significance of having family contribute to the success of your carwash business.
In today’s world, family means much more than it has traditionally meant in the past. We have people working with us today who started when Rebecca began in the business. They are just like family, and they take washing cars and providing superior service to our customers as seriously as we do.

Having family in the business also provides opportunities for the family to expand beyond the carwash operations. In 1984 Red ventured out of the daily operations to start PDQ Manufacturing Inc. while Rebecca and other “family” managed the carwash operations. The carwashes helped support PDQ Manufacturing in its infancy. Conversely, Rebecca has left the day-to-day operations to begin R. Lewis Technologies Inc., a supplier of carwash solutions, while Red and Operations Manager Dale Bornemann oversee operations for the carwash business.

It is a comfort to know that you can pour all your energies into projects like these knowing that you have someone you trust taking care of business.

Timeline

1960s

• 1967, Red Lewis begins work at PDQ East

1970s

• 1974, Red becomes sole owner of PDQ East
• PDQ West purchased (full- service operation)

1980s

• 1984, PDQ Manufacturing launched
• 1986, PDQ Appleton con structed (full-service operation).
• 1987, PDQ South west constructed (full-service operation).
• 1988, PDQ Manitowoc location purchased (full-service operation).

1990s

• 1990, Opens first exterior-only wash: Carefree Car Wash.
• 1994, PDQ Express Lube and Car Wash opens, marking PDQ’s re-entry into the quick-lube business.

2000s

• 2000, opens exterior tunnel and quick lube (PDQ Car Wash Grand Chute).
• Adds an exterior tunnel to PDQ Southwest, creating a dual-tunnel location.
• 2006, Opens PDQ Shawano (exterior tunnel).

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