Épisodes

  • Episode 261: Bundling car care to boost carwash retention with Way's Ro Krishna

    Episode 261: Bundling car care to boost carwash retention with Way's Ro Krishna
    Jan 29 2026
    In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, Rich DiPaolo speaks with Ro Krishna, VP of Car Wash at Way, about how customer data and retention are reshaping the carwash business. The conversation focuses on the growing pressure on margins, especially in high-volume express tunnels, and why speed and discounts alone are no longer enough to drive sustainable growth. Krishna shares insights on underutilized capacity, declining memberships, and the lack of customer visibility that prevents operators from bringing customers back consistently. He also discusses how software and automation can simplify operations, empower frontline staff, and improve loyalty without disrupting existing systems. The episode highlights a shift toward bundled value, smarter loyalty programs, and data-driven engagement beyond the wash lane. Krishna closes with guidance for operators planning ahead: long-term success will depend on knowing your customers and making each visit feel more personal. Learn more at way.com/carwash.
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    41 min
  • BONUS EPISODE: Growth from Site Level Car Wash Membership | Dencar

    BONUS EPISODE: Growth from Site Level Car Wash Membership | Dencar
    Jan 22 2026
    21 min
  • BONUS EPISODE: The 3 Pillars Driving Consistent Carwash Sales Performance | Rinsed

    BONUS EPISODE: The 3 Pillars Driving Consistent Carwash Sales Performance | Rinsed
    Jan 15 2026
    In this Executive Spotlight, host Brian Ankney sits down with Kyle Doyle, vice president of Rinsed, to unpack what consistently separates high-performing carwash operations from the rest. Doyle introduces the concept of the “three pillars” — consistent scripted presentations, ongoing coaching and clear accountability — emphasizing that strong performance isn’t accidental or dependent on rare standout employees. Instead, the most successful operators build repeatable systems that allow average frontline team members to perform at a high level, even in high-volume, high-rejection environments. The conversation explores how simple, value-driven scripting improves conversion rates, why validation is a critical but often overlooked step in the customer journey, and how structured coaching protects teams from burnout and inconsistency. Doyle also reflects on the industry’s evolution from equipment-centric operations to people-development organizations, noting that scalable growth now depends on creating better employee experiences, clearer expectations and stronger leadership at every level — from the pay station to the regional office.
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    25 min
  • Episode 260: Scaling density in the Northeast: Spotless Brands’ growth strategy with Dave Kelly

    Episode 260: Scaling density in the Northeast: Spotless Brands’ growth strategy with Dave Kelly
    Jan 8 2026
    On this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo sits down with Dave Kelly, Chief Development Officer for Spotless Brands, to discuss the company’s recent acquisition and its broader Northeast growth strategy. Kelly explains why Pete’s Express Car Wash was a natural fit for Spotless and how the deal strengthens the Flagship Carwash brand in Greater Philadelphia. The conversation covers how Spotless balances operational consistency with local brand equity across its multi-brand portfolio, while evaluating dense, competitive markets for long-term carwash development. Kelly also breaks down what increased regional presence unlocks for member value and operational efficiency, how access to a $450 million credit facility shapes development pace and scale for the company, and what opportunities and constraints lie ahead for express car wash growth in mature Northeast regions.
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    13 min
  • Episode 259: A tale of two halves: 2025 carwash M&A with Jeff Pavone

    Episode 259: A tale of two halves: 2025 carwash M&A with Jeff Pavone
    Dec 18 2025
    In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo welcomes back Jeff Pavone, founding partner at Amplify Capital Group, for a candid and timely look at the state of carwash mergers and acquisitions heading into 2026. Pavone breaks down the major forces shaping today’s deal environment, from shifting buyer motivation to evolving private equity strategies, offering operators and investors a clear view of where opportunities are emerging. He shares his reactions to Professional Carwashing & Detailing’s 2025 Top 50 List of U.S. Conveyor Carwashes and explains what early-year signals informed his market outlook for 2025. Pavone also discusses whether Q3 and Q4 activity matched expectations as the industry continues to navigate tighter capital, rising costs and regional variance in performance. The conversation digs into what’s driving heightened buyer urgency, how private equity’s appetite for carwash assets has evolved and what the industry can expect from sponsors in 2026. Pavone also weighs in on the long-debated question: will the industry ever see a 1,000-location operator? The episode wraps with Pavone’s takeaways from Mister Car Wash’s experience as a public company, the likelihood of future IPOs and the market developments in 2026 that would surprise him most, and least. Whether you’re planning a sale, evaluating growth markets or watching broader capital trends, this episode delivers essential insight into the year ahead for carwash M&A.
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    36 min
  • Episode 258: How a motor control center defines tunnel reliability with Troy Huisman

    Episode 258: How a motor control center defines tunnel reliability with Troy Huisman
    Dec 4 2025
    In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo welcomes Troy Huisman, founder of Superior Control, for a deep dive into one of the most critical, yet least understood, parts of a tunnel: the motor control center. Huisman discusses the early gaps he saw in the carwash equipment world and what pushed him to design smarter, more responsive control solutions. He explains why a control panel often understands tunnel performance better than the operator and highlights the hidden inefficiencies his team uncovers at sites across the industry. The conversation explores the growing value of custom-built control systems and how they enhance uptime, throughput, and long-term reliability for each unique site. Huisman also breaks down where automation is delivering the biggest returns. Real-world examples illustrate how redesigned panels have transformed struggling tunnels into high-performing locations. The episode concludes with a look ahead at connected controls, remote diagnostics and the role “smart” motor control centers will play in the next generation of tunnel design.
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    35 min
  • Episode 257: Previewing Women in Carwash™ with Brenda Jane Johnstone

    Episode 257: Previewing Women in Carwash™ with Brenda Jane Johnstone
    Nov 13 2025
    In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo welcomes Brenda Jane Johnstone, founder of Women in Carwash™, to discuss the upcoming 12th Women in Carwash conference, taking place January 18-20 at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa. Johnstone shares the story behind the event’s creation, including the inspiration that led her to build a space dedicated to empowering women across all segments of the carwash industry. She reflects on how the conference has grown from its early beginnings into a dynamic community focused on professional development, mentorship and leadership. Listeners will hear inspiring examples of how attendees have strengthened their confidence and advanced their careers after participating in past events. Johnstone also discusses the progress being made to foster inclusion within what has long been a male-dominated field, while highlighting where more work remains. For those considering attending for the first time, Johnstone offers tips on how to make the most of the experience through networking, workshops and authentic connections. Finally, she shares her vision for the future of Women in Carwash, as the event continues to unite, educate and inspire the next generation of leaders driving the industry forward.
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    18 min
  • Episode 256: Connecting the modern carwash with Rex Womble

    Episode 256: Connecting the modern carwash with Rex Womble
    Nov 6 2025
    In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo welcomes Rex Womble, vice president of Quivio, to discuss the growing importance of connecting the modern carwash. Womble shares insights on how Sonny’s Quivio platform helps operators unify their operations by integrating software, hardware and cloud-based analytics into a single digital ecosystem. The conversation explores what a “connected ecosystem” truly means for today’s operators and how integrated platforms can help overcome the challenges of managing multiple systems such as POS, CRM, and analytics dashboards. Womble explains how connected technology turns raw data into actionable insights that drive performance, uptime and efficiency across multi-site operations. The discussion also highlights how technology can improve customer engagement, streamline maintenance tracking and support staff training — all while helping operators optimize existing sites in an era focused more on refinement than expansion. Womble closes by sharing his outlook on how Quivio will continue evolving to meet the carwash industry’s changing needs.
    Tune in to learn:
    • How connected ecosystems simplify operations and unify data
    • Ways technology improves maintenance, training and customer engagement
    • Why integration is key to the next phase of carwash growth.
    For more information on Quivio, please visit www.quivio.com.
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    19 min