Amplify Shares How to Create Successful Relationships

ICA | July 20, 2026

The car wash industry is evolving rapidly, but according to Jeff Pavone, Founding Partner of Amplify Capital Group, and Chris Jenks, Amplify Partner and CEO, the fundamentals have never been stronger. Joining Kendra Johnson, Chief Experience Officer for the International Carwash Association (ICA), at ICA Headquarters, the conversation explores the current state of mergers and acquisitions, investment activity, operational excellence, artificial intelligence, and what the future holds for operators of every size.

Key Takeaways:

Amplify puts operators first. The firm's mission is to level the playing field by representing operators' interests while helping them maximize long-term business value through education, strategic guidance, and fair transactions.
The market hasn't slowed—it has matured. Transactions are still happening at a significant pace, but buyers are conducting deeper due diligence and taking a more disciplined approach to acquisitions.
Operational excellence is now the primary driver of value. Investors are rewarding businesses with strong operations rather than simply large numbers of locations.
Capital remains available. Private equity firms, family offices, and institutional investors continue to view the car wash industry as an attractive long-term investment.
Membership programs continue to prove resilient. Subscription customers remain highly loyal, helping operators weather economic uncertainty and softer retail traffic.
Industry consolidation is accelerating. The largest operators are expanding strategically by strengthening existing markets instead of pursuing growth solely for scale.
Independent operators can still thrive. Community involvement, exceptional customer experience, and differentiated service give smaller operators advantages that larger chains often cannot replicate.
Artificial intelligence is becoming a practical business tool. AI can automate reporting, analyze operational data, identify trends, and free management teams to spend more time improving customer experience.
Good data leads to better decisions. Understanding KPIs, customer behavior, and operational performance is becoming increasingly important for both growth and future business valuation.
The outlook remains optimistic. Despite economic uncertainty, Jeff and Chris believe the industry is entering another active period of investment, acquisitions, and long-term growth for well-run operators.

📺 Watch the full conversation below.
📘 Need more insights like these? Subscribe to ICA and stay ahead with every edition of CAR WASH Magazine and CAR WASH Pulse.