Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast

Hosted by Babcox Media

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282

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, created by Professional Carwashing & Detailing magazine, covers industry trends, ideas and strategies that will help make your carwash more profitable. Hear what carwash owners, operators, manufacturers and distributors have to say in our exclusive interviews and audio articles.

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June 4, 202618 min

Episode 267: Carwash M&A: Deal trends and bold predictions with Jeff Pavone

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, Jeff Pavone from Amplify Capital Group joins host Kyle Alexander to break down the forces shaping today's deal environment — and why the second half of the year is poised for a significant rebound. Pavone explains that the slowdown stems less from a lack of buyer interest and more from the pressures upstream. Constraints in private credit markets — driven largely by volatility in software and AI sectors — have slowed the flow of capital to private equity, which in turn has extended timelines for carwash deals. Add geopolitical uncertainty to the mix, and the result is a more cautious, question-heavy underwriting process. Despite the slower pace, carwash key performance indicators are holding up. Pavone notes that year-over-year sales and membership growth remain positive across the country, with some softening on the retail side attributed to weather variability and pricing shifts at the entry level. Looking ahead, Pavone expects a strong close to 2026, with Amplify alone tracking roughly $500 million in transactions expected to close by mid-year. He also points to a meaningful shift in deal dynamics: For the first time, buyer and seller price expectations are coming into alignment, a development he views as a key signal for sustained activity in carwash mergers and acquisitions. He also weighs in on Mister Car Wash's transition back to private ownership and what that means for the broader market. The episode closes with Pavone's boldest prediction yet — that within three years, the industry will see its first carwash chain reach 1,000 or more locations.

May 28, 202611 min

Episode 266: Keys to getting over 5,000 unlimited wash club members per location with Steve Gaudreau - audio

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Kyle Alexander welcomes Steve Gaudreau, founder of Brink Results, for a focused conversation on what it takes to build an unlimited wash club sales matrix that consistently drives 5,000 or more members per location. Gaudreau, whose firm has trained more than 10,000 carwash employees over the past three decades, shares the operational gaps that hold most operators back and the structured framework his team developed to close them.Gaudreau outlines several problem areas that typically limit membership growth. He then walks through Brink Results' new Unlimited Wash Club Sales Matrix, a 12-point evaluation tool that benchmarks operator performance across categories including member counts, pricing, sales scripts, churn rates and more. For each category, the matrix defines low, medium and high performance levels based on real industry data, giving operators a way to measure themselves against the field rather than against themselves. The conversation also explores closing-rate benchmarks, the competitive advantage of establishing membership density before new entrants arrive in a submarket and why setting ambitious goals matters. The matrix is available free of charge by emailing steve.gaudreau@brinkresults.com.

May 7, 202628 min

Episode 265: Inside Qual Chem’s new Evergreen carwash chemical line

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Kyle Alexander sits down with Ryan Molinelli, vice president of sales at Qual Chem, and Joseph Moldovan, founder of Qual Chem, to discuss the company’s biggest product launch in years: a 10-product Evergreen carwash chemical line debuting at The Car Wash Show in Nashville. Molinelli and Moldovan share what operator feedback drove the development, why a non-corrosive, biodegradable formulation made sense for today’s tunnels, self-serves and in-bay automatics, and how the line ships in compact 2.5-gallon containers to reduce freight costs and plastic waste. The conversation also covers Luminaura Repel, a new addition to Qual Chem’s premium Luminaura family that targets microbead removal and water release, plus how the Evergreen and premium lines can be combined for tougher cleaning needs. The episode wraps with what visitors can expect at booth 1413 in Nashville and where Qual Chem sees carwash chemistry headed next.

April 23, 202625 min

Episode 264: Using carwash video analytics to drive growth with Aaron McGee

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Brian Ankney welcomes Aaron McGhee of Interface Systems for a conversation on how carwash video analytics are reshaping site security, customer experience and operational efficiency. McGhee shares what operators across the carwash vertical have been asking for in 2025 and why video has emerged as the fastest-evolving category in the security industry. The discussion explores how modern multi-sensor and 360-degree cameras, paired with edge and cloud-based analytics, are replacing legacy closed-circuit television systems and reducing the amount of equipment operators need on site. McGhee explains how remote video monitoring acts as an extra set of eyes for highly automated, thinly staffed carwash locations, helping deter loitering, prevent liability incidents and even welcome customers through two-way audio. The conversation also covers the growing role of recurring managed services — from cloud storage and encryption to cybersecurity updates — and why offloading that work to a partner lets operators focus on growth. McGhee closes with practical advice for owners evaluating their current technology stack and looking for ways to turn existing cameras into a tool that improves the customer journey.

April 2, 202621 min

Episode 263: Unlocking carwash customer retention through AI with Michael Pelikan

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Kyle Alexander welcomes Michael Pelikan, director of operations Retention Express, for a data-driven conversation on how artificial intelligence is transforming carwash customer retention and reshaping how operators understand their customer base. Pelikan opens by identifying the single most overlooked data point in the industry: why customers are actually contacting a carwash in the first place. He explains that most operators rely on transactional metrics — wash counts, membership totals and churn — while behavioral and experiential data goes largely uncaptured, and why that blind spot has real revenue consequences. Pelikan shares how Retention Express organizes customer interactions into three core categories — intent, sentiment and outcome — and how tracking each reveals pressure points across operations and the customer experience. He also breaks down how phone calls and virtual chat assistants serve different behavioral patterns, with phone interactions skewing toward immediate resolution while website chat tends to be more exploratory and revenue-generating. The episode also covers how application programming interface (API) connections enable operators to personalize each interaction and how custom dashboards surface the right data for operators at every level. The discussion closes with a look at carwash customer retention as the industry's single biggest revenue opportunity. Pelikan makes the case that protecting existing membership revenue, rather than focusing solely on acquisition, is where AI delivers its greatest return — ensuring every customer contact is answered, every question addressed and every member given a reason to stay.

March 26, 202610 min

BONUS EPISODE: Why Carwash Dryers Matter: Efficiency and Cost Savings | Cincinnati Fan

Dryers are one of the most important — and often overlooked — components of a car wash. In this Executive Spotlight, Ron Wittich of Cincinnati Fan joins host Kyle Alexander to discuss:Why proper drying is critical for customer satisfactionHow water spots and residue impact vehicle finishesThe role of energy-efficient motors and VFDsHow operators can reduce energy costs by up to 25%Best practices for maintenance and maximizing equipment lifespanFrom performance to profitability, this episode explores how modern dryer systems can elevate your operation.

March 18, 202619 min

BONUS EPISODE: Carwash Data, OEM Support and the Rise of In-Bay Washes | Oasis Car Wash Systems

In this Executive Spotlight episode, Brian Ankney talks with Kyle Martin about the factors shaping today’s carwash industry. Martin explains why strong relationships with equipment manufacturers and distributors are essential for long-term success, especially when wash systems are designed to operate for decades. The conversation also explores why in-bay automatic and self-serve washes are gaining momentum again. With lower equipment costs, minimal staffing requirements and strong profit margins, these formats are increasingly appealing for operators navigating labor shortages and rising operating costs. Martin also breaks down how carwash owners can use data to improve performance. By analyzing financial metrics, operational efficiency and customer behavior, operators can uncover opportunities to increase revenue, reduce downtime and refine their marketing strategies. Finally, the discussion touches on how carwash businesses can differentiate themselves in saturated markets through branding, membership programs, superior customer experience and targeted promotions.

March 11, 202615 min

BONUS EPISODE: Reducing Carwash Membership Churn Through Better Operations | Wash Systems

Membership programs have become the backbone of many carwash businesses — but the real key to success lies in retention. In this episode of Professional Carwashing & Detailing’s Executive Spotlight, host Brian Ankney talks with industry expert John Booth about the metrics operators should be watching beyond membership counts. The discussion explores how churn rate and customer lifetime value reflect the true health of a carwash operation. Booth shares why consistent processes, employee training and detailed site inspections are critical for delivering the experience customers expect every time they visit. Operators who align their operational checklists with the customer journey — from entering the lot to exiting the wash — can reduce churn and strengthen long-term membership value.

March 5, 20267 min

BONUS EPISODE: Paint Protection & Restoration Opportunities for Detailers | Mothers

Paint protection and restoration are quickly becoming premium services for professional detailers and carwash operators. In this episode of Professional Carwashing & Detailing’s Executive Spotlight, host Kyle Alexander speaks with Jim Dvorak of Mothers about how detailers can properly assess paint condition, educate customers about protection options and deliver long-lasting results. The conversation covers: • Evaluating vehicle paint condition• Setting realistic expectations with customers• The role of paint thickness measurements• Clay bar decontamination and paint prep• Ceramic coatings, sealants and paint protection film• Future innovations in paint protection products If you’re a professional detailer or carwash operator looking to expand premium detailing services, this episode provides practical insight into the growing paint protection market.

February 25, 202628 min

BONUS EPISODE: Carwash Calls, AI & Retention | Retention Express

In this episode of Professional Carwashing & Detailing’s Executive Spotlight, host Brian Ankney speaks with Bobby Thomson of Retention Express about carwash phone call management, membership retention and the growing role of AI in customer service. Retention Express handles over a million carwash calls annually — from billing disputes and cancellations to compliments and damage claims. Thomson explains how operators can: • Reduce membership churn• Capture missed revenue from unanswered calls• Use AI to support (not replace) live agents• Run win-back campaigns• Track 28 different cancellation reasons• Improve chargeback defense with recorded documentationWith up to 80% of carwash calls going unanswered, Thomson says every missed call represents lost revenue. Learn how blending AI automation with high-touch human support can increase retention and strengthen brand loyalty.