In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo welcomes Eric Wulf, CEO of International Carwash Association, for a post-show breakdown of The Car Wash Show™ 2025. Wulf shares his top three takeaways from the event and provides a sweeping look at key trends shaping the industry's future, from current private equity thinking to the rising importance of customer engagement strategies. He weighs in on the changing roles of in-bay automatic and self-serve models, highlights the real game-changing technologies amid rapid innovation and offers candid advice for new investors entering the space. Wulf also addresses the relationship between automakers and carwash operators, noting progress — and gaps — in cooperation to better accommodate modern vehicle designs at pro washes.

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo speaks with Tim Hogue, CEO of Modernwash Buildings and Solutions, about the latest innovations in carwash building design and planning. Hogue shares his impressions of 2025 The Car Wash Show™, discusses the ongoing balance between form and function in facility design, and highlights Modernwash’s Virtual Walk Thru software. According to Hogue, the immersive tool not only helps clients visualize their buildings in a 3D model before construction begins but also streamlines collaboration between owners and contractors. He explains how this solution reduces miscommunication, minimizes change orders and helps keep projects on schedule. Looking ahead, Hogue also talks about the future of virtual modeling in the carwash design-build process.

In this episode of Wash Talk, host Brian Ankney talks to Cameron Ray of Sparkle Express Car Wash and Noel Peña of Digital Recognition Network (DRN) about data-driven carwash marketing. The conversation explores how Sparkle Express uses DRN’s license plate recognition and vehicle data to target potential customers based on behavior, such as driving frequency and vehicle type, rather than just proximity. This approach allows for precise outreach, replacing broad tactics like direct mail and geofencing. A recent campaign reached 330,000 qualified prospects and saw an 8% redemption rate, with 2% converting to monthly memberships. The discussion highlights how behavior-based targeting drives higher ROI and long-term customer value in today’s carwash market.

In this episode of Professional Carwashing & Detailing’s Wash Talk, host Brian Ankney sat down with Tyler England from LiveReach AI to explore how advanced camera systems are transforming carwash operations far beyond simple surveillance. They discuss how high-resolution, multi-angle camera systems are essential in handling customer damage claims. With clear video evidence, operators can prove preexisting damage, which not only protects the business but often results in happy, informed customers. Tyler explains how cameras integrated with AI can now track key metrics such as pay station wait times, vacuum usage and tunnel throughput. This data provides actionable insights that help operators fine-tune staffing, training and customer flow.

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo welcomes Jim Ceresnak, vice president of Northmarq. They discuss the evolving dynamics of the carwash market and the M&A landscape. Ceresnak begins by reacting to major news announcements from Q1. Some of those developments sparked speculation about waning investor enthusiasm in the sector. However, despite some turbulence, Ceresnak believes the industry’s long-term fundamentals remain sound and encouraging for future growth.  
Ceresnak identifies key lessons the industry has learned from recent developments and market shifts. He emphasizes the need for operational excellence, disciplined growth and realistic financial forecasting. He outlines what sets resilient carwash operators apart from their peers in the field. Ceresnak says strong leadership, efficient site performance and capital access help operators continue to thrive. Chains that focus on sustainable expansion and strong customer loyalty are more likely to survive market pressure.  
Looking ahead, Ceresnak discusses how financial conditions could shape carwash M&A activity this year. He highlights the impacts of 100% bonus depreciation and interest rates on growth strategies. He evaluates sale-leaseback strategies, which still hold value when carefully structured. Operators must balance short-term gains with long-term obligations when considering such strategies for expansion.

In this episode of Wash Talk, host Brian Ankney chats with Phil Marquardt and Chris Zuchegno from Dencar and United Auto Wash to dive into the operator's perspective on innovation in carwashing. Phil shares how his passion for 24/7, people-free carwash operations led him from running a wash to developing the tech behind it. From the challenges of launching memberships in unattended sites to embracing customer feedback, the episode reveals how Dencar is empowering even small operators with big-league tech.

Host Rich DiPaolo is joined by Ryan Molinelli and Kevin Molinelli of Qual Chem for a deep dive into the company’s journey, product philosophy and upcoming innovations. The conversation kicks off with a look at Qual Chem’s history and how it has grown into a trusted name in the professional carwashing industry. Ryan and Kevin discuss what sets Qual Chem’s formulations apart, how their founder’s operator background gives them a unique edge in product development, and how this perspective translates into real-world solutions for carwash operators. As the team gears up for The Car Wash Show™ 2025, they share a sneak peek at what attendees can expect from Qual Chem’s booth 1010, including new products and technologies. They also touch on key chemical trends and challenges they're addressing in 2025 — and give us a glimpse into what the future holds for carwash chemical innovation.

In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo talks with Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX, about how preventive maintenance strategies can help carwash operators minimize costly downtime and deliver consistent, high-quality service to their customers. Haase begins by sharing his background and the origins of MaintainX, highlighting how the company has evolved to support carwash operators in managing their equipment and operations more efficiently. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes how maintenance can be used as a competitive advantage, helping operators stand out in a crowded market by ensuring reliability and maximizing uptime. 
For more information, please visit www.maintainx.com.

Host Rich DiPaolo talks with Ian Burton, ISTOBAL’s North American director of sales, to celebrate a major milestone — ISTOBAL’s 75th anniversary. Burton reflects on the company’s rich history, global growth and continued commitment to innovation in the vehicle wash industry. Burton shares how ISTOBAL is commemorating this impressive milestone anniversary, while also discussing how the company’s decades of experience translate into stronger partnerships and solutions for its customers. He offers insights into the current state of the North American professional carwashing industry and highlights ISTOBAL USA’s latest product launches. See how ISTOBAL’s innovations are addressing key challenges operators face today and what’s next for the company as it continues to expand in the North American market.

In this episode, host Rich DiPaolo talks with Danka Dubak, director of marketing for AVW Equipment Company and a third-generation member of the company’s founding family. Dubak shares how AVW has remained a leading force in the carwash equipment industry for over five decades by consistently delivering modern solutions tailored to today’s carwash operators. We explore the evolution of tunnel carwashes from AVW's viewpoint, including the enhanced capabilities of the modern tunnel and how AVW’s “simplicity in motion” design philosophy benefits both operators and end customers. Dubak also discusses the significant impact AVW’s belt conveyor system — first launched in 2005 — has had on the market. She walks us through the industry's shift from roller and chain systems to belts, the operational advantages of belts, and when it may or may not be practical to adopt them. Finally, Dubak gives us a sneak peek into AVW’s latest innovations and what’s on the horizon for the company.