Jonathan Roldan Builds Bridges for Other Veterans

Jonathan Roldan Builds Bridges for Other Veterans

What does it take to transform a struggling car wash into a thriving business—and then successfully double in size within a year? In this episode of Car Wash Exchange, host Rich DiPaolo sits down with Jonathan Roldan, co-owner of Brightside Car Wash, to discuss the lessons he's learned since acquiring and revitalizing his first location before expanding to a second. Drawing on his background as a U.S. Army veteran, Jonathan explains how military leadership principles, disciplined operating systems and a culture of leading by example have shaped Brightside's rapid growth. He shares why success depends on building systems instead of relying on one person, how preventive maintenance and standard operating procedures have become the backbone of his operation, and why customer memberships are critical to long-term stability. Beyond operations, Jonathan discusses his commitment to serving the Naperville community through Brightside's "Wash With a Purpose" initiative, which donates a portion of membership sales to local nonprofits selected by customers. He also shares his long-term vision for Brightside University, a program designed to help military veterans transition into successful careers—and eventually business ownership—within the car wash industry. Whether you're an owner looking to scale, an entrepreneur considering the industry, or a veteran searching for your next mission, Jonathan offers practical advice on leadership, planning, teamwork and building a business with purpose. .   Key Takeaways ·  Scaling requires systems, not superheroes. Jonathan explains why operating multiple locations demands standardized procedures, clear documentation and strong training rather than relying on one person.  ·  Military leadership translates well to business. Principles like accountability, preventive maintenance, teamwork and leading by example have become the foundation of Brightside's culture.  ·  Community creates customer loyalty. Brightside's "Wash With a Purpose" program allows customers to support local nonprofits while purchasing memberships, strengthening both customer relationships and community impact.  ·  Memberships provide stability. After experiencing every season in business, Jonathan says recurring memberships help offset weather-related fluctuations and create predictable revenue.  ·  Leadership means earning respect. Jonathan believes leaders should never ask employees to do work they aren't willing to do themselves, regularly working alongside his team.  ·  Veterans have valuable business skills. Leadership, discipline and work ethic make veterans strong candidates for careers in the car wash industry, and Jonathan hopes to build a pathway for them through Brightside University.  ·  Do your homework before buying a car wash. Jonathan stresses researching demographics, traffic patterns, equipment condition, maintenance history and financial performance before making an investment.  ·  Build a team that complements your strengths. No owner excels at everything, making trusted advisors and skilled team members essential for sustainable growth.  ·  Always maintain access to capital. Unexpected expenses are inevitable, making financial reserves a necessity rather than a luxury.  ·  Growth is fueled by purpose. As Brightside celebrates its first anniversary and second location, Jonathan remains focused on serving customers, supporting his community and creating opportunities for others.

Inside Summit Wash's Strategy for Smart, Sustainable Growth

What does it take to scale from a regional operator to one of the industry's fastest-growing car wash companies? On this episode of Car Wash Exchange, Rich DiPaolo sits down with Dan Pittman, Chairman and CEO of Summit Wash Holdings, to explore the strategy behind Summit's remarkable expansion—particularly its rapid growth in New Jersey. Founded in 2021, Summit Wash Holdings has quickly become one of the nation's largest express car wash operators, with more than 100 locations across multiple states. Rather than chasing growth for growth's sake, Summit has focused on building a scalable organization rooted in culture, operational systems, data intelligence and talent development. Dan explains that the company's headline-making acquisition of 22 New Jersey locations in less than a year was actually the result of more than three years of preparation. That groundwork included investing heavily in employee training, building a sophisticated "data lake" that integrates operational, financial, marketing and customer information, and creating processes capable of rapidly integrating acquisitions. You’ll hear why Summit viewed New Jersey as an overlooked opportunity despite its permitting challenges and fragmented ownership, how patience ultimately led to acquiring CJ's Car Wash, and why culture remains the foundation of every growth decision. Dan also shares how Summit balances discipline with aggressive expansion, the importance of hiring "humble, hungry and smart" team members, and why flexibility, trust and strong relationships have been just as critical as financial analysis in the company's success. Whether you're managing a single location or planning your next acquisition, this conversation offers valuable insights into building an organization that can grow without sacrificing its culture. Episode Notes:  Rapid growth doesn't happen overnight—it happens through years of preparation. On this episode of Car Wash Exchange, Rich DiPaolo welcomes Dan Pittman, Chairman and CEO of Summit Wash Holdings, to discuss how one of the industry's fastest-growing operators built the foundation for explosive expansion. Summit Wash Holdings has grown to more than 100 locations by focusing on scalable systems, intentional culture and disciplined acquisitions. Dan shares the lessons behind the company's successful New Jersey growth strategy, why investing in people and data came long before rapid expansion, and how Summit continues to identify opportunities while staying true to its values. It's an inside look at the leadership principles driving one of the industry's most ambitious growth stories. (1:35) Dan talks about the years of dramatic growth for Summit Wash. Think of Culture, Systems and Talent that are all scalable! (5:39) What did Summit see in the New Jersey market that they felt it was an untapped market and a great opportunity? (7:44) Dan tells the story of the acquisition of CJ’s Car Wash. (9:28) How did the on-the-ground systems they implemented work for them? (11:05) Learn about Summit’s commitment to culture and what that actually means…humble, hungry, smart! Also, be fast and flexible! (12:54) Hear about their data lake and what they do with the information they have. (14:18) Dan walks us through an example of having to make tough choices in selecting sites (17:20) What other places are under consideration in addition to New Jersey? (18:28) What did the growth pace reveal about Summit, and would they do it again or differently?

The Technology of Speed: How Simplified Technology can Streamline Operations

At The Car Wash Show 2026 in Nashville, Kendra Johnson sits down with Carl Howard, Founder and CEO of GenrRev and owner of Autobell Car Wash, and Sam Short, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of GenrRev, to discuss the future of technology in the car wash industry. Born from years of frustration with legacy systems, GenrRev was created to address common operator challenges such as expensive hardware, system downtime, disconnected software platforms, and customer experiences that fail to meet modern expectations. Drawing on Carl's decades of operational experience and Sam's background in hospitality technology, the pair explain how today's consumers expect the same seamless convenience they receive from brands like Starbucks, Uber, and Amazon. The conversation explores how operators can eliminate friction, simplify technology stacks, improve membership management, gain real-time operational insights, and create a better experience for customers and employees alike. Carl and Sam also explain why innovation isn't simply about adopting new technology—it's about solving real operational problems, improving efficiency, and making life easier for everyone involved. Whether you're a single-site owner or a large multi-location operator, this episode offers practical insights into how cloud-based technology, operational intelligence, and customer-first thinking can help drive growth, reduce complexity, and position your business for the future.

Car Wash Exchange – Dee Ann Turner

On this episode of Car Wash Exchange, we’re joined by Dee Ann Turner, former Vice President of Talent at Chick-fil-A and a leading voice in organizational culture and people development. With more than three decades of experience helping shape one of the most recognized service cultures in business, Dee Ann brings a powerful perspective on what it really takes to build—and sustain—a high-performing team. She shares why most organizations overcomplicate culture, and how focusing on just three core elements can transform both employee engagement and customer experience. From hiring for character to creating “second mile” service moments that customers never forget, this conversation is packed with insights tailored specifically for car wash operators navigating today’s workforce and customer expectations. If you’re looking to strengthen your team, improve retention, and create a culture that truly sets your business apart—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.   Key Takeaways 1. Culture isn’t complicated—most businesses just overcomplicate it. 2. Purpose drives performance. 3. Hire for character, not just skill. 4. Owners are the Chief Culture Officers. 5. Hospitality exists—even without people. 6. “Second mile service” creates loyalty. 7. Culture shows up most when things go wrong. 8. Avoid the “fad of the month” trap. 9. Be transparent and involve your team. 10. Great culture reduces turnover—and fuels hiring.   (2:50) Dee Ann talks about her time at Chick-fil-A and how culture can be done right. And the three parts that make up a remarkable culture. Choose a meaningful purpose – Have a challenging mission – Demonstrate the core values. (5:19) Why are these three parts important to today’s car wash culture? (6:22) Is there any reason for an owner/operator to not be transparent? (7:40) What’s the difference between what’s being invested in and what’s being delivered? And what does hospitality look like when there are no people on site? (10:31) What does the 10-minute hiring conversation look like? Start with character. (13:00) What separates a team that rises to the occasion from a team that falls apart? Being remarkable….  Hear stories of “being remarkable”!  (17:03) Dee Ann tells a personal story of her car and why it means so much to her. (18:12) What’s “first mile” and “second mile” service? (19:05) What’s a common mistake that leaders make in trying to create culture? (21:18) At one point when does culture become difficult to scale? (23:16) What are two or three things that signal to the team that the leader is serious and committed to culture? (25:11) How is the car wash business the same as Chick-fil-A? (26:58) What’s Dee Ann most looking forward to at The Car Wash Show? Come hear Dee Ann speak at this year’s Car Wash Show! Find out more about The Car Wash Show [https://thecarwashshow.com/] happening on May 11 -13, 2026

Data That Pays: How Branded Chemistry Impacts Customer Behavior

We all know a clean, dry, shiny car isn’t enough anymore. In today’s competitive car wash landscape, the real question is—what makes a customer choose your wash, stay loyal, and spend more? In this episode of ICA’s Car Wash Exchange, we dive into new data that answers exactly that. Host James Risley is joined by Laura Moriarty, Creative Director at National Car Wash Solutions, and Bob Klein, Director of Research at ICA, to explore a custom Pulse Intelligence study on branded chemistry—featuring Armor All, Rain-X, and Black Magic. What they found is striking: customers are willing to pay more, drive farther, and even switch car washes based on trusted brands. This isn’t just perception—it’s measurable behavior.  If you’re looking for real ways to differentiate your wash, increase revenue, and strengthen customer loyalty, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Key Takeaways  * 66% of consumers say brand-name chemistry matters  * Customers will pay ~$3 more per wash for branded chemistry  * Drivers are willing to travel up to 10 minutes farther  * 61% of members would upgrade for branded offerings  * 52% of non-members would consider switching washes  *  Branding isn’t just marketing—it directly impacts revenue, retention, and acquisition (1:23) What challenge did NCS have when they reached out to ICA? (2:18) Why was this research important today? (2:52) why did NCS Choose to reach out to ICA? (3:58) Bob gives an overview of the project and what ICA needed to do. (4:35) What did the research look like – Bob lays out the problem and process. (5:44) What stood out in the survey’s results? Laura walks through the numbers.  (10:00) Was there anything that surprised Laura about the results? (11:05) Bob goes deeper into the results. (11:50) What did NCS do with the results – how did they leverage them? (14:02) Bob talks about more of the specifics about how the data was used with Pulse Custom Intelligence. (15:20) Laura talks about the biggest value the study provided. (16:23) What was it about Pulse Custom Intelligence made working with ICA and Bob the right decision? (19:18) James talks more about this study and ICA Pulse Custom Intelligence For more information on NCS go to https://ncswash.com/branded-chemistry/ [https://ncswash.com/branded-chemistry/].  Reach out to Bob Klein at bklein@carwash.org [bklein@carwash.org] for more information on Pulse Custom Intelligence Find out more about The Car Wash Show [https://thecarwashshow.com/] happening on May 11 -13, 2026