Editor’s note: This blog was originally published in February, 2021 and has been updated for accuracy.
Washing a car at home is time consuming and impractical, not to mention it can be detrimental to the environment. This is why many drivers prefer to wash their cars at car washes. This removes the hassle of filling a bucket and doing the cleaning by hand, and also helps save time, as you can often drive right in and right out of car washes.
The History of the Modern Car Wash
The history of car wash automation can be traced back to 1914. Two men opened a business called ‘Automated Laundry’ in Detroit, Michigan, USA. In actual fact, workers were assigned to manually soap, rinse and dry the cars, even pushing them through a tunnel along the way. It wasn’t until 1940 that the first ‘automated’ conveyor-style car wash was opened in California. But, even then, the actual cleaning of the vehicle was done manually.
The world got its first semi-automatic car wash system in 1946, when Thomas Simpson opened a car wash with an overhead sprinkler and an air blower to take some of the manual labor out of the process. The first completely touchless automated car wash was set up in Seattle in 1951, and by the 1960s, these fully-mechanized, automatic car wash systems had started popping up across America.
Car Wash Movers & Shakers
Today, the global car wash service market is a multibillion-dollar industry, with revenues expected to reach USD 49,064.1 million by 2030. As new car wash technology has become available, the best automated car washes work hard to make the process as smooth and easy as possible for their customers.
Here, we take a look at some of the best self-service car wash companies from around the world that will no doubt be playing a key role in this industry growth – and the companies that support their operations.
1. Wash&Drive (Hansab)
Latvia-based Wash&Drive was established in 2014 to fulfill the increasing demand for automated car wash systems in the Baltic state. Today, the company’s express service option enables a customer to have their car thoroughly washed on an automated conveyor line, in just three minutes.
The first car wash chain in Latvia to provide a completely touchless car wash experience, Wash&Drive is now the largest self-service car wash chain in the country, with multiple branches in eight different cities. The company’s clients include Latvia’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS), carbonated water producer Venden, laundry services provider Elis, as well as Olympic, the largest casino in the Baltic states. It should also be noted that by reusing and recycling 80 percent of the wash water, Wash&Drive ensures that it is both economical and environmentally friendly.
Wash&Drive gets its automated car wash technology from some of the biggest players in the industry, including Europe’s Kärcher and Coleman Hanna. The company has teamed up with integrated solutions provider Hansab to accept cards at its car washes, equipping its docks with Nayax card acceptance terminals for 24/7 contactless payments. It also offers customers simple touchless payment options such as Monyx Wallet, Nayax’s payment and customer engagement app.
One major Wash&Drive client, construction material supplier Profcentrs, says, “We have provided a car wash contactless payment card to each employee, making it easy for them to use the car wash service, while also ensuring accurate accounting of the money spent by each user in our company’s books”.
As Wash&Drive continues to grow to realize its vision of servicing up to 20,000 cars every day, the company plans to install more Nayax POS terminals so that it can remotely monitor its equipment status and sales.
2. College Park Car Wash
College Park Car Wash is a family-owned business in the city of College Park, Maryland, and a popular automated car wash choice for customers ranging from college students and law enforcement agencies, to everyday motorists in the area looking for a quick and cheap way to clean their vehicles.
The 24/7 facility was opened by owner David DuGoff in 1997, with state-of-the-art automatic car wash systems in eight bays. Since then, College Park Car Wash has continually reinvented itself with new car wash technology, replacing the meter box doors, pump stands, hoses, boom configuration, etc., as needed and expanding its service offerings. DuGoff has also expanded to a second outlet in Beltsville, Maryland.
Today, everything from a wheel brush to low-pressure carnauba wax is available at this full-service car wash. But it’s not only the advancements in modern car wash technology that have led to the success of the business. DuGoff has taken a very customer-centric approach to his self-service car wash business, equipping the facilities with ample lighting so customers feel safe no matter what time they visit, setting-up live-streaming webcams to allow patrons to anticipate wait times, installing vending machines stocked with top-of-the-line car detailing products, and putting in award-winning self-serve car wash credit card systems that offer quick and safe contactless payment options for car wash customers.
3. Car Wash Sales and Advisory (Australia)
Australia-based Car Wash Sales and Advisory (CWSA), formerly National Car Wash Sales, was set up in 2013 by Greg Scott, who had been an owner-operator of numerous car wash facilities since 1999. His experience, knowledge, and passion for the full-service cash wash industry put Scott in a league of his own in terms of buying, selling, leasing, or developing a car wash, in any part of Australia.
With over 200 transactions to its name nationally, CWSA has partnered with several market leaders – ranging from financial institutions (ANZ, Westpac) and cashless payment solutions providers (Nayax, TapNGo) to water recycling system manufacturers (Purewater) and laundry equipment suppliers (GC Laundry Equipment) – to ensure that clients maximize the gains from their full-service car wash.
With over 25 years-worth of knowledge about the automated car wash industry, not only is the CWSA team able to help potential business owners establish the type of car wash model that’s suitable for the population and demographics in their area, but they can also help with the planning of the car wash design to ensure trouble-free operations in the future. This ability to provide impeccable advice on choosing new equipment and machinery has earned CWSA many loyal customers who swear by the company’s recommendations for how to turn a car wash business into a success.
4. 24HR Car Wash (Canada)
Based in Calgary, Canada, 24HR Car Wash has been operating at the Horizon Auto Center for over 25 years. With six self-serve bays operating 24/7, including two oversized bays designed especially for large trucks, customers can clean their vehicles anytime, at their own convenience.
Interestingly, Calgary’s Stormwater Bylaw specifically states that cars may not be washed on the street with soap or detergent – not even biodegradable ones. The law also prohibits “overly dirty” cars from being washed on the streets, with the first offense attracting a fine of $500. As such, automated car wash facilities, like 24HR Car Wash, provide an attractive and affordable car cleaning solution to drivers.
Using only the highest quality products and leading-edge mobile car wash equipment, 24HR Car Wash has earned itself many loyal customers. Keeping customer convenience in mind, the facility has outfitted its bays with an all-in-one car wash card payment solution for cashless payments, ensuring that drivers can pay via tap and go cards, chip credit cards, as well as digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
5. Valet Auto Wash (USA)
Valet Auto Wash has been delighting customers in the US since 1994 with its automated car wash technology and professional customer care. Today, the company has 14 locations in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Taking pride in repurposing historical and unused buildings in its communities, Valet Auto Wash sites are usually massive. The ‘jewel in its crown’ is a 55,000-square-foot site in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, which houses a 245-foot-long tunnel and provides customers with a ‘never-ending experience’. When it opened in 2016, the Lawrenceville site became renowned as the longest conveyor car wash in the world.
The goal for the Valet Auto Wash team has been to make the company’s full-service car wash sites as much an attraction as they are a utility. Some of the sites have a ‘Brilliance Wax Tunnel’, where state-of-the-art buffing equipment delivers eye-popping, all-over shine. Then there is the 22-point Express Lube Service, as well as indoor self-service vacuum stations.
The company’s willingness to invest in technology is also reflected through its energy-efficient vacuum turbines that adjust to conserve power when not in use, and the installation of convenient car wash contactless payment terminals at multiple checkpoints.
As well as all these bells and whistles enhancing the customer experience, Valet Auto Wash is also committed to the environment. The full-service car wash captures all of the water used in each wash and then filters and treats it for reuse in the wash process, effectively saving hundreds of gallons of water every year.
6. Wilcomatic Wash Systems (UK)
The journey of UK-based Wilcomatic Wash Systems began in 1967 as a specialist vehicle washing operation. Over a history spanning more than 50 years, the company has come to be known as the UK’s leading vehicle wash company, diversifying its offerings to provide a wide range of products and services for multiple sectors, and accumulating a robust customer base across Europe, Asia, the United States, and Australia.
In 2019, Westbridge Capital acquired the company to support its global growth. Today, Wilcomatic has more than 2,000 car wash installations across the world, servicing 8 million vehicles every year.
A pioneer in the touchless car wash segment, Wilcomatic is credited with developing a new kind of wash chemical in collaboration with Christ Wash Systems. In light of environmental concerns about the aggressive chemical previously being used, Wilcomatic provided the industry with the first system where a less harmful chemical was able to achieve great results on each wash, clocking an incredible success rate of 98%! The company is also committed to rainwater harvesting, reclamation, and wash water recycling.
One of Wilcomatic’s satisfied clients is Tesco, the largest supermarket retailer in the UK. The company looks after self-service car wash facilities at 164 Tesco sites around the country, including installing contactless payment systems and leveraging telemetry technology to remotely monitor each site for usage and maintenance issues.
7. Zips Car Wash (USA)
Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Zips Car Wash is one of the largest and fastest-growing tunnel car wash companies in the United States. The company began as a single location outlet in 2004 and has now grown to over 280 locations in 25 US states.
This rapid growth has come through hard work, dedication, and a series of smart acquisitions. In 2016, Zips acquired Boomerang Car Wash, which added 31 car wash sites to its network. Then, in 2018, Zips acquired seven locations from Rain Tunnel Car Wash. This was quickly followed by the buyout of five sites from American Pride Xpress Car Wash, and another self-service car wash site from Eco Express.
Interestingly, many stores were added in locations where Zips already had a strong customer base, effectively ensuring that anyone looking for a car wash near them would be directed to a Zips unlimited car wash site. But Zips doesn’t only want to grow; it also wants to make a difference in the lives of its customers and communities.
Zips offers a wide range of options such as waxing, shining, and cleaning services that would make any vehicle look great. As an added plus, all car washes include access to free self-serve vacuums for interior cleaning.
With its catchphrase being ‘we’re a green kind of clean’, the company uses only eco-friendly chemicals at each site and makes sure that its recycling system saves energy and water with every wash. Zips’ locations also serve as a collection site for homeless shelters and food banks, with the company giving back thousands of dollars to the community each year.
8. The Auto Spa (Maryland, USA)
The Auto Spa and the Auto Spa Express are a part of the Maryland-based WLR Automotive Group which has been active in the car care industry since 1987. The Group, which also has auto repair and vehicle maintenance centers, serves more than 800,000 customers each year.
Offering both full-service car wash and express touchless car wash services, the Auto Spas work on a monthly membership model that gives members the convenience to wash their cars once a day, every day, at a low price. Featuring some of the most innovative stainless-steel car wash equipment in the United States, Auto Spas are currently operational at several locations throughout Maryland. They are known not only for their state-of-the-art facilities, but also their sleek, custom design, with colorful LED lighting throughout the wash tunnels, and a rainbow rinse adding enjoyment to the overall experience. The tunnels typically end with multiple air blowers and heated dryers to ensure maximum drying. After exiting the tunnel, customers have access to free microfiber drying towels, air hoses, vacuums, and mat cleaners.
It’s also worth noting that WLR Automotive Group is a committed member of the community, and has been organizing an annual food drive program called ‘Feeding Families’ for 12 years now, feeding tens of families as well as providing cases of food to a local food bank.
9. BlueWave Express
BlueWave Express Car Wash was founded in 2007 with the goal of becoming the ‘Starbucks of Car Washes’. Now operational in 57 locations, the California-headquartered company was ranked 26 in the 2023 Top 50 U.S. Conveyor Chain List.
BlueWave’s managing partners have more than 60 years of experience in the car wash industry. Their expansion strategy entails purchasing properties that are located near well-established businesses, such as Walmart, Family Dollar, or McDonald’s. These kinds of high-visibility, high-traffic premier retail locations have enabled the self-service car wash company to tap into high-income households and grow its business quickly.
Despite being an express car wash rather than a full-service car wash, the company offers its customers several amenities that help it to stand out from the competition. For example, a free vacuum service is included in the low-cost wash price, with no time limit.
The unlimited car wash company also reclaims and reuses up to 80 percent of the water used in the car wash process, and makes it a point to use only biodegradable soaps and detergents, the contaminants of which are captured and disposed of properly. BlueWave is further known to work locally with city groups to spread awareness about the importance of water conservation.
The company insists that its success hasn’t stemmed from high-tech wizardry alone. The local management team plays an indispensable role, by always being available to respond to unexpected variables. Effective on-site supervision, speedy on-call repair and maintenance, and directing incoming calls to a person rather than a machine are some of the other factors that make BlueWave popular among its customers.
10. Champion Xpress (USA)
Champion XPress opened its doors in New Mexico, United States, in August 2015. Interestingly, its General Manager Jeff Wagner did not have any experience in the car wash industry, but he was hired by his brother-in-law and nephews (all co-owners in the company) to run the family-owned business.
Wagner maintains that his previous stints in the office products industry, as well as the real estate sector, helped prepare him for this new adventure. This has especially been true for planning and organizing out-of-state growth; Wagner has successfully expanded the business to 46 locations across New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Iowa, Illinois and Texas, and 15 more locations are ‘coming soon’.
Wagner says that having great employees and wonderful owners with small-town backgrounds has helped the company to both understand the needs of under-served markets, and ensure that a customer leaves the facility with a smile on their face, each time.
Champion Xpress offers monthly recurring plans, gift cards, and prepaid washes to its customers. Though standard prices vary by region, the company offers significant cost savings on family plans.
11. Fast Eddie’s Car Wash And Oil Change (Michigan, USA)
A family-owned and operated business since 1977, Fast Eddie’s Car Wash and Oil Change is a formidable force in the car wash market of Michigan in the United States. Its high-quality, convenient, and affordable mobile car wash services throughout the state have made Fast Eddie’s one of the most trusted brands in car cleaning.
The company offers a variety of unlimited car wash packages to keep customers’ vehicles shining all year round. Vehicle-specific products are used, and the monthly price is charged through credit card rebilling, since cash is not accepted.
With over 250 employees at 17 locations providing customers a combination of car wash, detailing, oil change, and preventative maintenance services, Fast Eddie’s has also been named among the Top 50 car wash and oil change facilities in the United States, in addition to being hailed as the ‘Best Car Wash’ in many of the communities it serves.
The company’s commitment to its communities is also reflected through the support it provides to several local organizations, including Kiwanis Clubs, churches, local schools, and youth sports programs. Fast Eddie’s also maintains a dedicated donation program and welcomes fundraising requests.
Supporting the Industry
Just as no man is an island, so no business can do everything on their own. A whole host of companies around the world provide the car wash technology and other support that keep the industry moving forward.
12. WashTec (Germany)
With a history in manufacturing car wash technology going back to the early 1960s, technology trailblazer WashTec calls itself the world leader in the car wash industry. And the Germany-based company provides numbers to support this claim: it has over 40,000 self-service and automated car washes in use around the world, washing more than two million vehicles every day. Furthermore, the company employs over 1,700 car washing experts in more than 80 countries. Its extensive service and distributor network adds another 900 technicians and sales partners to the system.
WashTec’s parent company, Kleindienst, was the creator of the three-brush gantry car wash system and the first in the market to combine a fully-automated car wash and drying system to create a complete car wash solution. More recent innovations include the SelfTecs concept for self-service car washes, which makes it possible to perform washing and polishing in a single program step, and the EasyCarWash app – a digital solution that enables subscribers of the unlimited car wash program to drive directly into the washing bay and choose their preferred service through their mobile phones. A camera scans the license plate number to confirm membership, and starts the program.
WashTec manufactures self-service car wash systems to suit every site size and requirement. Be it compact rack systems, tailor-made cabinet systems, or even a mobile car wash solution that can be integrated with any existing business without additional steelwork construction, WashTec’s cost-efficient and flexible solutions come with the added convenience of a cashless payment system.
13. Istobal Vehicle Wash and Care (Spain)
A Spanish multinational group, Istobal comes with nearly 75 years of experience in the car wash business. Istobal exports its products and services to more than 80 countries around the globe and boasts a workforce of more than 950 employees. An extensive network of distributors and 12 commercial subsidiaries in Europe, the US and Asia make Istobal the second largest manufacturer of car wash solutions in Europe, and the fourth largest in the world.
The company started in 1950 as a small repair shop. In 1969, it entered the car wash sector, and by 2000 had gained complete specialization in the car wash field. Today, the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified organization is well known for its state-of-the-art solutions for automatic car wash and tunnels as well as jet wash centers.
The digital management of a car wash business, Istobal says, can radically improve the efficiency and profitability of the business. So, for a truly hassle-free experience, Istobal provides car wash owners with everything they need to connect their self-service car wash equipment with its digital platform, and extract and save valuable data on the cloud.
To further improve the touchless car wash experience, Istobal leverages a variety of digital solutions and innovative cashless payment systems. Its Smartwash technology can transform any self-service car wash into a fully-connected, autonomous, controlled, and monitored system. A mobile app allows users to activate the automatic car wash machines without having to get out of the vehicle. At the same time, a loyalty wallet card enables drivers to accumulate credit and enjoy various deals and discounts.
14. Electrajet (Scotland)
Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Electrajet specializes in designing and manufacturing pressure washers for the car care industry. After more than 30 years in the game, the company boasts an ever-growing customer base, ranging from the UK’s largest automotive dealerships, to agricultural vehicles and haulers, to the food industry.
Electrajet offers a complete forecourt equipment range, from standalone buy-time jet washes, vacuums, air, water/screen wash and multifunction tower units, through to touchless drive-through systems, multi-bay self-service wash centers and installations. The company’s jet wash machines can be outfitted with Nayax debit and credit card readers and support Nayax virtual money fobs for a car wash POS system that gives customers a .
Similarly, Electrajet’s vacuum machines also support a cashless contactless payment system. With a heavy-duty safe and door locking system, the data from these high-powered vacuum units can be retrieved using WiFi.
Unlike its competitors, Electrajet sells and leases machines that have been custom designed and manufactured at its Glasgow headquarters. This allows the company to leverage the best engineering components and provide long-lasting, highly-reliable products that can perform even in the harshest of site conditions.
Another factor that has helped Electrajet to make a name for itself and be featured on this list is that it offers a same-day call-out facility should there ever be a problem with any of its products. The company’s trained engineers carry a full catalog of spare parts in their vehicles to carry out immediate repairs and modifications.
15. Shiners Car Wash (Australia)
The story of Australia-based Shiners Car Wash Systems starts in 1992. Intrigued by the rapid advancements in the car wash industry, good friends Richard Davison and John Whitechurch decide to take a trip to the birthplace of the modern car wash – the United States. After two weeks of non-stop meetings with operators, distributors, and equipment manufacturers, Davison and Whitechurch were convinced that they needed to bring this new concept of car washing to ‘the Land Down Under’.
By May 1993, Shiners Car Wash Systems’ first self-service car wash site was ready for business, housing two rows of six washing bays. With the car wash becoming an instant hit, the owners were flooded with inquiries from people who wanted to develop similar facilities themselves.
Davison and Whitechurch decided to seize the opportunity and signed an exclusive distributorship agreement with their equipment supplier, Texas-headquartered Jim Coleman Company.
Today, Shiners Car Wash Systems has installed more than 200 car wash systems across Australia and New Zealand, with a robust partner network consisting of the best automatic car wash equipment from leading car wash brands, such as Coleman Hanna Car Wash Systems, Washworld, Lustra, Blue Coral, and Unitec.
The company has won dozens of awards, both for the robust sales of self-service car wash systems, and for radically reducing the average amount of water used at its own car wash site.
16. Beacon Mobile (US)
A leading innovator in the car wash industry, Beacon Mobile helps car washes and automotive brands increase their profits and improve customer loyalty through interactive technology solutions, such as sales-driven mobile apps and branded websites.
Headquartered in the United States, the team at Beacon Mobile has been creating mobile apps since early 2009. Recognizing that most car wash brands typically don’t have the budget to hire a software firm to build a mobile car wash app from scratch, Beacon Mobile offers a ready-made marketing and sales platform that can be customized by a small business at a fraction of the cost. The feature-rich platform allows the car wash owner to have complete control over the app, while Beacon Mobile keeps everything running smoothly in the background.
Under the leadership of Founder and CEO, Alan Nawoj, Beacon Mobile has also invented a novel way to manage membership programs and fleet accounts for automated car wash systems. This patent-pending method is set to wean members off of conventional RFID and/or number plate scanning systems, offering them a unique, tamper-proof way to prevent non-members from getting free car washes.
Today, Beacon Mobile has become a one-stop-shop for any auto car wash that wants to transition to a touchless car wash system, with solutions like in-app payment for washes, gamification, geofencing, and beacons, personalized loyalty programs, fleet account management, and much more.
Furthermore, in 2019 Beacon Mobile joined forces with Nayax to offer an integrated sales and marketing solution for use by forward-thinking car washes that provide a multitude of services – wash bays, vacuums, dog washes, vending machines, etc. – under one roof.
17. Green Steam (Europe)
As Europe’s largest steam cleaning equipment distributor, Green Steam has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the self-service car wash industry. Today, if you were to search for a steam car wash near you in Poland, the company’s headquarters, chances are you would be directed to a petrol station or car wash facility housing Green Steam’s flagship Self Service Steam Car Wash Vacuum. The company also has touchless steam car wash clients in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania.
Green Steam was established to fill the last existing gap in the touchless car wash segment – upholstery cleaning. The company realized that mobile car wash customers want to clean their car comprehensively – not only from the outside, but also from the inside. As such, Green Steam’s automatic car wash systems are designed to enable automated car washes and petrol stations to extend their range of services and attract new customers who wish to clean the interiors of their cars on their own.
With an extremely short drying time (since only pressurized dry steam is used), Green Steam enables drivers to wash, disinfect, and deodorize their car upholstery on their own, in a matter of minutes. Motorists also enjoy the advantages of cost savings and the comfort that comes with being able to choose the place and the date of the service on their own.
Green Steam’s products come in several configurations – steam only; a combination of steam and vacuum; steam, vacuum, and tire inflator combo; and a combination of upholstery cleaning and disinfection of car details, which are often left dirty even after an exterior mobile car wash.
To provide its customers with a complete and thorough solution, Green Steam also offers an accessory – a Nayax extension – that enables payments by a credit or debit card. This added convenience, Green Steam notes, has empowered car wash owners to increase their income by as much as 15 percent.
18. N&S Services (UK)
Founded in 2004, N&S Services is an independent maintenance service provider set up to help car wash owners maximize revenues. The UK-based company can install, repair, and maintain all types of self-service car wash equipment, and also manufactures its own high-quality cleaning products that promise excellent wash and dry performance.
Founders Paul Wrate and Neil Pitman have a combined 60+ years of experience in car wash equipment maintenance. They ensure that all N&S Services engineers are trained to a very high standard and obtain a safety passport from the UK Petroleum Industry Association before working at any filling station.
The company takes pride in maintaining a central reserve of spares for almost all makes of car washes that have been installed in the UK for the past 20 years. This allows N&S Services to respond to customer service calls within 24 hours and provide an early solution to any problem swiftly.
The company makes it a point to create customized maintenance contracts for each customer, factoring in parameters like the type and age of the self-service car wash machine, its service history, washing capacity, etc. With a system that suits every location and budget, N&S Services counts among its clients private car wash operators, independent forecourt owners, car manufacturers, and commercial operators alike.
N&S Services offers a complete turnkey package for mobile car washes, outfitting its forecourt equipment with cashless car wash payment systems from global industry leaders like Nayax. This ensures that the self-service car wash will continue to generate income for its owners even when unattended.
The Bottom Line
The success stories of these touchless car wash companies prove that, when it comes to providing the best self-service car wash experience, customer focus is key. By leveraging car wash technology to increase the speed and efficiency of the entire car wash process, offering special deals and amenities to increase brand loyalty, and creating a considerate, environmental-friendly car wash program, car wash operators can ensure that clients keep coming back for years to come.
Payment methods are also an important part of this equation. Nayax offers a range of payment solutions that help self-service car wash operators build their dream business. Card readers VPOS Touch and Onyx can be installed on every type of machine – from AirVac to vending – giving customers a convenient choice of cashless payment methods, in a fast, seamless tap and pay experience, complete with e-receipts. A management suite gives operators the complete picture of what’s happening at their machines, so they can respond to issues that need attention, and plan for streamlined operations. Meanwhile, with the MoMa on-the-go management solution, they have remote control and management of machines, and can even issue instant refunds. Finally, the Monyx Wallet loyalty solution incentivizes return visits by customers with tailored discounts, cash-back and punch card options, all within a branded app. This end-to-end car wash solution is suitable for businesses of all sizes, enabling operators to increase sales and streamline operational tasks.
For the best touchless car wash payment and management system, contact Nayax today.
