Splash Express Car Wash was acquired by El Car Wash on Mar 26, 2026.

Splash Express Car Wash divested sites to El Car Wash on Mar 26, 2026.

Deal Overview
Purchase Date
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March 26, 2026
Primary State
Florida
Florida
Sites Bought
3
Site(s)
Deal Value
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N/A
Transaction Synopsis
  • Miami-based El Car Wash announced the acquisition of three Splash Express Car Wash locations, two in Port Orange and one in Ormond Beach, alongside the formation of an ongoing joint venture with Splash's founders to drive future growth in the Daytona Beach area.
  • The deal advances El Car Wash's quality-oriented growth strategy of owning premier assets in core markets, expanding its Central Florida footprint through both acquisitions and ground-up development while continuing to scale across Florida, Michigan, and new markets.
  • The acquired sites will continue operating under the Splash Express Car Wash brand with uninterrupted service, while gradually introducing customers to El Car Wash's signature customer experience; Splash Co-Owner Steve Schlossberg cited aligned values around customer experience, quality, and people as key drivers in selecting El as a partner.

* Denotes a partial company acquisition and/or divestiture.

Market Significance

The deal signals continued consolidation in the highly fragmented U.S. express car wash industry, where well-capitalized regional platforms like El Car Wash are aggressively rolling up successful independent operators to build scale. El's use of a hybrid structure, outright acquisition paired with a joint venture with the founders, reflects a broader trend of buyers retaining local operator expertise and community goodwill rather than stripping it out post-close. It also reinforces Florida's status as a key battleground market for express car wash growth, given its year-round wash-friendly climate, population growth, and dense suburban corridors.

Client Impact
Management Commentary