Sonny’s President Purchases Compuwash, Renames Company

Paul Fazio, president of Sonny’s Enterprises, has purchased Compuwash stock and assumed ownership of the company. Compuwash, which has provided tunnel controller and point-of-sale software to the carwash industry since 1980, was renamed Auto Pilot Carwash Control Systems and relocated to Tamarac, Fla., where Sonny’s is headquartered, according to a press release. Fazio purchased the stock during the first quarter this year and will operate Auto Pilot Carwash Control Systems as a separate company and not a division of Sonny’s, according to Robert Morris, vice president of marketing for Sonny’s. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The company’s new name coincides with the release of a software update to the subscription-based Profit Pilot POS system and is meant to signify a new beginning for the Pilot family of products, which also includes the Wash Pilot carwash controller.

“Under the direction of the executive team at Sonny's, these products will continue to be enhanced to deliver the features necessary to effectively and efficiently run and promote a car wash business,” a statement reads on the Auto Pilot Web site.

Several key Compuwash personnel have relocated to Florida, including Kevin Winn, lead programmer for Profit Pilot; Dave Tuttle, lead programmer for Wash Pilot; and Nathan Karnofsky, lead technical support. Former Compuwash president and CEO Kyle Doyle will remain in New York where he will continue to head sales and remain involved in company planning, Morris said. Compuwash was headquartered in Islandia, N.Y.

“Existing customers will receive seamless technical support for previously purchased controllers and POS systems,” Morris said.

Technical support for the Pilot family of products will be performed by Auto Pilot Carwash Control Systems from Florida. Technical support for older Compuwash products still in service, such as the Diamond series and Commander series of controllers, will be handled by Compuwash founder Alan Doyle, Morris said. A R Doyle and Associates can be contacted at 516.810.0102.