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.

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.

On this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo is joined by Mark Curtis, chairman of the board, and Dan Petrelle, CEO, of Splash Express Car Wash. Together, they share insights on leadership transitions, private equity partnerships, growth strategies and creating a winning work environment in the competitive Northeast carwash market. Petrelle discusses his transition from COO to CEO after more than two decades in operations, while Curtis outlines his evolving role as chairman. The pair also reflect on their new partnership with AEA Investors, exploring how majority backing from AEA will fuel Splash’s strategy for growth and expansion. The conversation highlights Splash’s continued expansion across Long Island and the Northeast, including a mix of new builds and acquisitions. Curtis and Petrelle provide perspective on the current landscape for M&A opportunities in the region, and what sets their approach apart. Beyond growth, the two leaders emphasize culture and community. Splash has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Connecticut for 10 consecutive years, and they share how they maintain that award-winning culture with more than 70 locations and 1,000 employees. Petrelle and Curtis also highlight Splash’s strong community engagement — from raising $8,500 at a recent Fayetteville grand opening for Clear Path for Veterans to more than $3 million raised historically for local causes. Looking ahead, both leaders outline what success will mean for Splash Express Car Wash in 2026 and beyond, with a focus on sustainable growth, strong employee bonds and community connections.

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo connects with Ben Branam of AutoBrite Company to explore the differences between belt gear drives and conventional rail drives. Branam discusses how belt conveyor frames offer greater longevity due to their design, along with the ease of replacing wear parts that helps operators minimize downtime and streamline maintenance. He also highlights the customer experience advantages belts provide, from smoother loading to enhanced comfort, and explains how operators can balance higher upfront costs against long-term savings and operational benefits. Finally, Branam shares insights on market trends, weighing whether belt conveyors will continue gaining traction or if rail systems will maintain their role in the industry into the foreseeable future.

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo welcomes Marc Tyndale, director of strategic partnerships at Kleen-Rite Corp., to explore the evolving role of self-serve and in-bay automatic washes in today’s competitive market. Tyndale discusses the current state of these segments, the steps operators can take to enhance customer experiences and how modern payment options are shaping their future. He also shares insights on why these formats can be attractive entry points for new investors, common capital considerations operators may overlook, and how owners can boost revenues through upgrades and improvements. Looking ahead, Tyndale outlines the role self-serve and in-bay washes may play over the next decade as the industry continues to grow and adapt.

On this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo sits down with Robert Andre, senior vice president of national sales and remodel for Sonny’s The CarWash Factory, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of site remodels in today’s fast-evolving carwash industry. Andre shares insights on what’s driving the surge in remodel projects, how bonus depreciation impacts financial planning, and which upgrades yield the best operational and financial returns. He also offers guidance on balancing visual enhancements with behind-the-scenes improvements, strategies for leveraging financing and tax benefits, and how remodels can strengthen customer growth, membership retention and long-term competitiveness.

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo sits down with Heath Pomerantz, CEO of WOW Carwash, to discuss his journey in the carwash industry and the leadership vision he brings to the rapidly growing brand. Pomerantz shares how his operational background shapes his approach as CEO, the strategies that resonate most with today’s customers and scaling to 17 locations with more in development. He also talks about the cultural practices that help WOW deliver on its bold guest experience promise, future market expansion plans and community-focused initiatives, such as the “WOW Carwash Local Heroes” program, which have strengthened both the team and the brand’s reputation.

On this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo speaks with Kevin Matthews, chief operating officer and president of Summit Wash Holdings, about the company’s rapid expansion and people-first culture. Matthews shares lessons from his early experiences in the car care industry, explaining how they shape Summit’s operator-led approach. He outlines the operational and technological innovations that have enabled Summit to grow from 20 to more than 100 locations in just a few years. Matthews also discusses the impact of the company’s growth partnership with New Mountain Capital, its 24-month strategic growth plans and the importance of fostering a strong, unified culture across new markets and acquired brands.

In this Executive Spotlight, Professional Carwashing & Detailing’s Brian Ankney sits down with Ryan Mogged of Triadex to explore how carwash operators can maximize marketing ROI through advanced targeting tactics. Mogged explains how mobile data, connected TV (CTV), programmatic ads and direct mail are transforming customer acquisition and retention. From geo-fencing competitors’ locations to leveraging online search intent, operators now have powerful tools to reduce wasted spend and track real customer behavior over time. The conversation also highlights the impact of new mover campaigns, custom propensity modeling, and innovative formats like plastic gift card mailers — all designed to help car washes attract loyal members and boost profitability.

On this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo is joined by NRCC 2025 show co-chairmen Chris Kubarek and Walt Hartl to discuss the planning behind this year’s event, scheduled for Oct. 6-8 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Kubarek and Hartl share insights into the show’s goals, learning opportunities and the inspiration behind unique additions, such as a virtual tour of global operator Bob Autowash in the Netherlands. They also explain how the educational topics were selected to address critical issues for Northeast operators, including website optimization and membership trends, and highlight the diverse voices attendees will hear from, such as Colonel Pilar McDermott and Garry Ridge. Additionally, Kubarek and Hartl provide an update on the expo floor, exhibitor participation and anticipated attendance, while offering advice for first-time attendees and a glimpse into the future of NRCC. For more information and to register today, please visit www.nrccshow.com.