Welcome to Episode 12 of Better Car Washing Everywhere, where we deliver real, practical insights for car wash professionals and anyone who's genuinely curious about the car wash industry.
In this episode, hosts Matt DeWolf, Jordan O'Day, and Fransua Perez tackle one of the industry's most critical metrics: capture rates. What exactly is a capture rate? Why should it keep you up at night? And more importantly, are you measuring it correctly?
The Wash Rescue team brings their extensive hands-on experience from managing and consulting car washes nationwide to break down not just how to calculate capture rates, but what those numbers actually mean for your bottom line. They dive deep into proven membership sign-up strategies, the art of customer qualification, and the science of building retention that lasts.
Whether you're looking to grow your member base, drive more action at your site, or transform one-time retail customers into loyal subscribers, this episode delivers the roadmap. No gimmicks, no shortcuts—just battle-tested strategies that work.
Get ready for actionable insights, real-world case studies, and practical tweaks that can dramatically impact your wash's profitability. This is the conversation that'll help you capture more value from every customer who drives through your gates.
Welcome to another episode of Better Car Washing Everywhere, the go-to podcast for car wash professionals and the car-wash curious. In today's episode, hosts Matt DeWolf and Fransua Perez are joined by Jordan O'Day from Wash Rescue to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in the industry: staffing.
If you've ever wondered how many people you really need to run a successful car wash, how to spot staffing blind spots, or how to build a strong team culture that goes beyond just filling positions, this episode is for you. The conversation dives deep into strategies for recruitment, the impact of staffing shortages on customer experience and business performance, and the critical importance of always being proactive - not reactive - when it comes to hiring.
Expect practical insights on crafting a solid hiring plan, developing your employees, and building a work environment people want to stick around for. Whether you're running a single site or looking to scale up, you'll find valuable advice on fostering leadership from within, creatively sourcing your next team members, and aligning employee experience with customer satisfaction.
So grab your headphones and get ready for a transparent, actionable conversation on solving staffing woes and setting your car wash operation up for lasting success.
Welcome to another episode of Better Car Washing Everywhere, the show dedicated to car wash professionals and anyone fascinated by the world of car washing! In this episode, host Matt DeWolf dives into one of the most pressing issues facing the industry today: competition. Are fears about new car wash chains moving into established markets really justified? Or could competition actually help your business grow?
Joining Matt are Jordan O Day and Francois Perez from Wash Rescue. With years of experience in everything from single-site operations to running top-performing car washes, these experts bring invaluable insight into what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Together, they discuss the impact of new competitors in town, strategies for standing out (like implementing express interior services or flex models), and why building systems, processes, and a strong team matter more now than ever.
If you want to learn how leading operators are adapting, differentiating, and finding opportunity amid industry disruption, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. So whether you run a multi-site business or you’re just car wash curious, get ready for actionable advice and a fresh perspective on turning competition into your greatest asset.
Welcome to another episode of Better Car Washing Everywhere, the podcast where car wash professionals—and the car wash curious—gather for authentic, transparent, and sponsor-free conversations. In this episode, host Matt DeWolf dives into the heart of what sets exceptional car washes apart: their people and the strategies behind building strong, resilient teams.
Joining Matt is Jeff Fazio of Preferred Car Wash Advisors, who brings a wealth of experience from both the operational and equipment sides of the industry. Together, they unpack the vital concept of “wash strategy”—not just about choosing the right nozzles or chemistry, but crafting a holistic, regionally-tailored approach that ensures consistent, high-quality results. Jeff also shares his philosophy on talent development, explaining why building a deep bench of skilled, well-trained staff is essential for growth, customer experience, and long-term success.
If you’re looking for practical insights on recruiting, training, and retaining top talent—or you want to learn how a thoughtful wash strategy can make all the difference—this episode delivers.
Talent shortages and rapid growth have reshaped the car washindustry, sparking new conversations about leadership, mentorship and the skills gap.
Host Matt DeWolf welcomed Jeff Fazio, fourth-generation car washer and Preferred Car Wash Advisors consultant, to discuss people development, consolidation and the fast-evolving needs of modern car wash operators.
Competition in the car wash industry is heating up, but operators have more tools than ever to turn market shake-ups to their advantage, according to insights from the latest episode of the Better Car Washing Everywhere podcast.Host Matt DeWolf and returning guest Tara Baugher discussed practical strategies for independent car wash owners facing new entrants—particularly larger chains—moving into their markets.
In this episode, Matt DeWolf and Tara Baugher get into the weeds on how to tackle a price change. How much do you communicate? What do you say? When do you do it?
Matt DeWolf and Meddy Ali, founder and CEO of Hello Wash get into the world of artificial intelligence in this episode of "Better Car Washing Everywhere."
Discover how AI is transforming the car wash industry by streamlining operations, enhancing customer service, and revolutionizing marketing strategies.
Learn about the potential of predictive maintenance, dynamic pricing, and leveraging data insights to optimize your business.
Whether you're a small car wash operator or part of a large network, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you harness the power of AI for greater efficiency and profitability.
Subscribe and tune in to explore how AI can be a game-changer for your car wash business.
Host Matt DeWolf is joined by Tara Baugher from TB Consulting to explore the shifts in consumer behavior and what they mean for car wash operators.
They delve into how today's consumers are increasingly impatient and price-conscious, and how this affects their decisions, including their car wash memberships. Matt and Tara discuss the importance of making membership valuable and ensuring a seamless experience for customers, even if they decide to cancel. They also touch on the significance of customer service, the role of human interaction in an increasingly automated world, and how small gestures can lead to loyal customers.
Plus, a dive into the influence of social media and community engagement, and how operators can stay competitive in a subscription-driven landscape.
Join them as they unpack these insights and share actionable advice to help operators thrive in today's market.
Welcome to another insightful episode of "Better Car Washing Everywhere," where we delve into the intricacies of the car wash industry, helping you improve your operations no matter where you are on your journey.
In today's episode, we tackle a contentious topic that often stirs passionate debates among car wash operators: Should you offer amenities for free, or should they come at a cost?
Host, Matt DeWolf, is joined by Tara Baugher, from TB Consulting and formerly of Rainforest Car Wash. Together, they explore the pros and cons of various free amenities, from vacuums and microfiber towels to compressed air and mat cleaners. They discuss the potential pitfalls of eroding your margins by giving too much away and the importance of aligning your decisions with your brand identity.
Tara shares her philosophy of "free is okay, but not forever," advocating for a balanced approach that blends fixed amenities with occasional, surprising giveaways. They also dive into practical strategies for transitioning from free offerings to paid ones without alienating your customer base, and the importance of creating habits and interactions that foster customer loyalty.
Tune in as we unpack these crucial questions, helping you make informed decisions that enhance your car wash operations, improve customer satisfaction, and boost your bottom line.
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast with your colleagues and friends. Let's get started!
In this episode of Better Car Washing Everywhere, host Matt DeWolf speaks with Ali Yusufaly from Elite Express Car Wash about the California wildfires and how the car wash community is coming together to help those affected. Ali shares his journey from helping at his father's hand car wash as a child to now owning multiple express locations.
After experiencing the devastating Woolsey fire in 2018 and recent wildfires, Ali launched a fundraising campaign through his car wash to support affected families and firefighters.
The episode highlights how Ali leveraged technology and the car wash community to quickly organize relief efforts, partnering with companies like OptSpot and Air Freshener Marketing to match donations. Funds raised are being distributed to the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, and LA Firefighter Foundation.
The conversation emphasizes the strength of the car wash industry's community spirit and how business owners can use their platforms to make a positive impact.
Those wanting to support the cause can visit https://eliteexpresscarwash.com/support-la-fire-relief-today to make donations.
Welcome to the very first episode of Better Car Washing Everywhere!
I'm your host, Matt DeWolf, and I'm thrilled to bring you a brand new podcast dedicated to the car wash industry. Having spent the last 15 years immersed in this world, I've had the pleasure of spotlighting the incredible stories and people who make it special. In this show, you can look forward to engaging co-hosted commentary, in-depth interviews with car wash professionals offering practical advice, and a commitment to unbiased, ad-free content. We're here to help you become better car washers and perhaps, slightly better humans.