Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast

Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast

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.

Episodes

February 19, 2026 15 mins
When a large corporate carwash breaks ground nearby, many independent operators panic — but they shouldn’t. In this PC&D Executive Spotlight, host Brian Ankney sits down with Tara Baugher of Ver-tech Labs to explain why local carwash owners still have the upper hand. From protecting membership counts to leveraging community connections, Tara shares practical, boots-on-the-ground strategies that help independent operators compet...
Mark as Played
In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, Rich DiPaolo speaks with Ro Krishna, VP of Car Wash at Way, about how customer data and retention are reshaping the carwash business. The conversation focuses on the growing pressure on margins, especially in high-volume express tunnels, and why speed and discounts alone are no longer enough to drive sustainable growth.   Krishna shares insights on underutilized capacity, declining...
Mark as Played
Mark as Played
In this Executive Spotlight, host Brian Ankney sits down with Kyle Doyle, vice president of Rinsed, to unpack what consistently separates high-performing carwash operations from the rest. Doyle introduces the concept of the “three pillars” — consistent scripted presentations, ongoing coaching and clear accountability — emphasizing that strong performance isn’t accidental or dependent on rare standout employees. Instead, the most su...
Mark as Played
On this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo sits down with Dave Kelly, Chief Development Officer for Spotless Brands, to discuss the company’s recent acquisition and its broader Northeast growth strategy. Kelly explains why Pete’s Express Car Wash was a natural fit for Spotless and how the deal strengthens the Flagship Carwash brand in Greater Philadelphia. The conversation covers how Spotless balances oper...
Mark as Played
In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo welcomes back Jeff Pavone, founding partner at Amplify Capital Group, for a candid and timely look at the state of carwash mergers and acquisitions heading into 2026. Pavone breaks down the major forces shaping today’s deal environment, from shifting buyer motivation to evolving private equity strategies, offering operators and investors a clear view of where oppo...
Mark as Played
In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo welcomes Troy Huisman, founder of Superior Control, for a deep dive into one of the most critical, yet least understood, parts of a tunnel: the motor control center. Huisman discusses the early gaps he saw in the carwash equipment world and what pushed him to design smarter, more responsive control solutions. He explains why a control panel often understands tunne...
Mark as Played
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 c...
Mark as Played
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 mean...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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 experien...
Mark as Played
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 shar...
Mark as Played
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 t...
Mark as Played
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 ...
Mark as Played
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 Su...
Mark as Played
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, op...
Mark as Played
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 Netherla...
Mark as Played
From microfiber to terry to huck, towel choice matters more than you think. In this Professional Carwashing & Detailing Executive Spotlight, ERC’s Valerie Sweeney explains how the right towels improve results, the best practices for care and organization, and how ERC’s expanded product line helps carwash operators run more efficiently.
Mark as Played
Host Rich DiPaolo sits down with Sean Foley, chief revenue officer at Interface Systems, to discuss how the company is helping carwash operators tackle some of the industry’s biggest challenges through integrated technology. Foley explains why carwashes, known for their high volume, automated environments and exposure to the elements, are a natural fit for Interface’s remote video monitoring, managed networking and business intelli...
Mark as Played
In this Professional Carwashing & Detailing Executive Spotlight, Kyle Alexander interviews John Olert, former Wall Street executive turned carwash owner and now CEO of American Carwash Solutions. John shares his journey from buying a neglected local wash to transforming it into a thriving business with a focus on service, technology and data. He details how frustrations as an operator led him to acquire American Car Wash Soluti...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.

    Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

    The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.

    iHeartOlympics: The Latest

    Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.