Our Top Companies and Top Acquisitions pages have become trusted resources across the car wash industry. We’re inviting the community to help keep these tools accurate and up to date.
Our Top Companies and Top Acquisitions pages have become trusted resources across the car wash industry. We’re inviting the community to help keep these tools accurate and up to date.
The first half of 2024 has brought a major and significant slowdown in carwash M&A, along with a stark decrease in the dispersion of acquiring parties. Transaction count is down ~46% and the number of sites sold and acquired is down nearly 40%, both compared to the first half of 2023. By way of most active acquirers, 2024 posted a large increase in deal concentration. Most notably, during the first half of 2023, the most active acquiror by transaction count was El Car Wash, having been the acquiring group in just 11% of the announced transactions. The first half of 2024 had Whistle Express representing a commanding 43% of deals as the acquiring group. In this industry report, we cover all announced M&A transactions in Q2 and provide a candid overview of market trends.
Running, growing, or evaluating a car wash business means staying on top of rapid changes. Customer demand shifts, new equipment rolls out, and acquisition activity looks different every year. When directories don’t evolve along with the industry, they stop being useful for owners, operators, and anyone trying to understand the market.
At Car Wash Advisory, we regularly update these pages using our own research and internal tools. Still, those in the field, like YOU, often notice changes first. That hands-on perspective helps ensure the information reflects what’s happening across the industry today.
Our Top Transactions Directory and Top Car Wash Company Directory are built to give a clear view of:
These resources are most valuable when they mirror actual activity: new acquisitions, expanding brands, leadership changes, site counts, and more.
Industry professionals often have the earliest insight into changes such as new stores opening, companies rebranding, or leadership teams shifting. Even small updates help us keep the directories accurate.
You don’t need to provide a full explanation or analysis. A quick note of what changed is enough for us to research it, confirm the details, and update the listings.
Accurate information helps everyone make better decisions, from owners thinking about expansion to operators comparing themselves to nearby competitors.
Here are some examples of helpful updates we often receive:
Any detail you share contributes to a clearer picture of what’s happening across the industry.
Reliable data reduces confusion and helps owners, operators, and investors understand:
When these directories stay accurate, the whole industry benefits from clearer insights into competitive activity.
Visit the Top Companies page or Largest Acquisitions page and tap or click “Have something to add? Let us know” under the graph to share changes or add new information. Our team will validate and incorporate it into the directory to keep everything active, accurate, and useful for car wash operators nationwide.
Want to get a valuation for your car wash business or learn more about what we do? Give us a call or contact us online directly.
Presented by Car Wash Advisory: M&A & Capital Markets in and of the Carwash Industry
Private equity doesn’t always “work.” Hopefully, this comes as no surprise. Private equity’s involvement in the car wash sector is no exception. The formula that combines outside money, tenured industry experts, and a fitting and applicable industry is far from infallible.
