What slows car wash growth isn’t always the market — sometimes it’s the process behind the build itself.

In this episode of Ask the Expert Michael MacDowell, CEO of Momentum Car Wash Specialists discusses the operational and planning decisions that impact how efficiently operators can scale.

From site planning and throughput to faster startup timelines, customer flow, equipment strategy, and optimizing existing locations, Michael shares insights from years of experience helping operators build and improve high-performing car washes.

This conversation explores how better planning upfront can reduce bottlenecks, improve operational flow, and help operators scale more efficiently long-term.

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Opening a car wash is just the beginning.

In this episode of Ask the Expert, we sit down with Zac Hamilton, Director of Channel Sales at AVW Equipment.

With over 20 years of experience as a distributor, operator, and owner, Zac shares what it actually takes to build a car wash that performs long-term — not just on opening day.

From site selection and equipment decisions to hiring, training, and operational consistency, this conversation breaks down the difference between opening a wash and running one successfully day after day.

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In this episode of Ask the Expert, Aaron Green, President of Focused Car Wash Solutions and owner-operator of Wild Blue Car Wash, breaks down what actually drives car wash performance—from site selection and layout decisions to operations, staffing, and cost management.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience as both an operator and distributor, Aaron shares how small design decisions can have a major impact on customer experience, throughput, and long-term profitability. He also highlights common mistakes made early in the planning process, and why asking the right questions is critical before building or remodeling a wash.

This conversation focuses on practical decisions operators can make to improve efficiency, avoid costly mistakes, and create a more consistent customer experience.

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In this episode of Ask the Expert, Chris Bossa, Technical Innovation Manager at Simoniz, breaks down what actually drives car wash performance and cost.

Drawing on experience across both equipment and chemistry, Chris explains how water quality, chemical application, and system design work together to impact wash results, chemical usage, and cost per car. He also highlights common mistakes operators make when trying to improve performance, and why focusing on a single variable often leads to higher costs and inconsistent results.

This conversation focuses on how to think about chemistry as part of a complete system, and how the right approach can improve performance while controlling operating costs.

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How do you run a high-performing car wash in one of the toughest climates in the country? Shane Robb, Operations Director at Sudzy Salmon, shares how his team maintains quality, consistency, and throughput across six locations in Alaska.

In this episode of the Modern Car Wash Podcast: Ask the Expert Series, Shane breaks down what it really takes to deliver consistent results in extreme conditions—from daily operations to long-term scalability.

From pushing up to 200 cars per hour to managing seasonal swings, he shares the systems and standards required to keep performance high no matter the environment.

You’ll learn:

• How to maintain wash quality as conditions change
• Why SOPs and consistency are critical for scaling
• How to diagnose chemistry vs. equipment issues quickly
• The role of preventative maintenance in uptime
• Where labor actually drives the most value
• How to balance speed, throughput, and quality
• How climate impacts chemistry, water, and reclaim strategy
• Why manning the kiosk increases membership conversion

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In our latest episode of the Modern Car Wash Podcast co-hosts Kevin Zalaznik and Shane Groff are joined by Zac Myers, a seasoned sales and support representative from Hoffman innovateIT Car Wash Equipment.

A true car wash journeyman, Zac has seen it all. After starting at the ground level at Hoffman Car Wash, Zac climbed the ladder to a management role before moving into his current sales and support role with Hoffman innovateIT.  

Zac delves into how his hands-on experience has been crucial in understanding customer needs, the challenges operators face, and troubleshooting equipment in real-time.

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Anne Mauler, the VP of Marketing for Soapy Joe's (San Diego, CA) joins host Kevin Zalaznik on the latest episode of the Modern Car Wash Podcast, providing insights on everything from marketing a new location to employee retention.

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Simoniz's Jake Collison has spent over two decades in car washes. In this episode, Jake dives into the evolution of car wash products, Simoniz's commitment to quality and innovation, and how Simoniz collaborates with car wash operators to meet their specific needs and challenges.

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Suzanne Stansbury, the Education Chair for the Northeast Regional Carwash Convention (NRCC) and the editor/publisher of Northeast Carwasher Magazine, joins the podcast to preview the 2023 NRCC. She breaks down what attendees can expect from this year’s installment, as well as how to maximize your convention experience. Plus, we get breaking news about the 2024 NRCC keynote speaker!

🖊️ Register for the NRCC:
https://nrccshow.com/civicrm/event/register/?cid=0&reset=1&id=68

📆 2023 NRCC Schedule of Events:
https://nrccshow.com/schedule-of-events/

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Chris Michael, CEO of Express Carwash in Kansas City joins the podcast this week, providing valuable insights into maximizing profitability of your car wash, leveraging data for success, and the future of the car wash industry. Learn how Express went from operating locations to building car washes, and how they're now helping other operators thrive.

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