Zips Car Wash
Zips Car Wash is a privately held multi-brand express car wash operator running 270+ locations across 20 U.S. states under ZIPS, Rocket Express, and Jet Brite brands, generating recurring revenue primarily through unlimited monthly subscriptions sold to individual consumers with supplemental fleet and commercial accounts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersLittle Rock, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Zips Car Wash does
Zips Car Wash is a privately held multi-brand express car wash operator headquartered in Plano, Texas. Founded in 2004 in rural Arkansas, the company has grown to 270+ locations across 20 states under three brands: ZIPS Car Wash (the core brand with 200+ locations across the South, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and Northeast), Rocket Express Car Wash (5 locations in Idaho and Utah, acquired December 2021), and Jet Brite Car Wash (12 locations in Chicagoland, acquired October 2022). The company operates automated express tunnel washes with complimentary vacuum stations and surface protection treatments including ceramic coatings (Z5X) and Graphene-Ceramic Wax Protect.
The business is anchored by recurring monthly subscriptions — ZIPS Unlimited® (up to 2 washes per day), Rocket Express Unlimited Club, and JetPass™ — supplemented by pay-per-wash transactions, fleet/commercial accounts, family plans (up to 40% multi-vehicle discount), corporate employee-discount partnerships, gift cards, and a Stripe-powered digital fundraising program for schools and nonprofits. Technology infrastructure includes RFID membership tags at ZIPS/Rocket Express and License Plate Recognition at Jet Brite for automated entry, plus iOS/Android mobile apps supporting membership management, rewards points, birthday bonuses, and spin-to-win engagement. Marketing channels include the ZIPS Car Wash Convos™ college athlete influencer program (Learfield partnership), Folds of Honor military scholarship partnership ($260K+ donated), AAA discount program, and a steady promotional calendar across seasonal campaigns.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 5, 2025, driven by approximately $279M in funded debt, an interest-cost jump from $59M to $93M annually, and rising labor and chemical costs amid intensifying competition. Zips emerged from restructuring in May 2025 by issuing $375M in take-back debt, secured $82.5M in DIP financing, and installed new leadership: industry leader Pete Nani as CEO, followed by Frank Ragan (ex-GameStop, ex-Starbucks) as COO in February 2026. Atlantic Street Capital remains the primary private equity backer, with at least three rounds of disclosed investment including $70M in July 2024.
Zips Car Wash firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zips Car Wash
- Legal name
- ZIPS Car Wash, LLC
- Website
- https://zipscarwash.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Zips Car Wash is a privately held multi-brand express car wash operator running 270+ locations across 20 U.S. states under ZIPS, Rocket Express, and Jet Brite brands, generating recurring revenue primarily through unlimited monthly subscriptions sold to individual consumers with supplemental fleet and commercial accounts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zips Car Wash industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Express Car Wash Services
- NAICS
- Car Washes (811192)
- SIC
- Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fleet/Vehicle & Equipment Exterior Washing (Residential/Light Commercial) (HSAEAMAL)
Keywords
Where Zips Car Wash is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Little Rock
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zips Car Wash business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Unlimited Membership Subscriptions: Recurring monthly subscription revenue from ZIPS Unlimited, Rocket Express, and Jet Brite JetPass plans providing unlimited car washes to members
- Pay-Per-Wash Services: One-time transaction revenue from individual wash packages at various price points for non-subscribers
- Fleet and Commercial Accounts: Volume-based commercial washing services for business fleets, corporate entities, and organization vehicles
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | ZIPS Unlimited Membership |
| Subscription | Monthly | Rocket Express Membership |
| Subscription | Monthly | Jet Brite JetPass Plans |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Wash Packages |
| Subscription | Monthly | Family Plans |
| Subscription | Monthly | Fleet Accounts |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Zips Car Wash product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zips Car Wash operates 270+ automated express car wash tunnel locations across 20 U.S. states under three brands (ZIPS Car Wash, Rocket Express Car Wash, Jet Brite Car Wash), delivering exterior vehicle wash services on a per-wash or monthly unlimited-membership basis. The company sells subscription-based unlimited wash plans (ZIPS Unlimited®, Rocket Express Unlimited Club, JetPass™), one-time wash packages, fleet/commercial accounts, gift cards, and add-on services such as graphene-ceramic surface protection.
Product overview
Zips Car Wash operates a multi-brand express car wash platform with three distinct brands: ZIPS Car Wash (core brand with over 200 locations across 20 states), Rocket Express Car Wash (western brand with 5 locations in Idaho and Utah), and Jet Brite Car Wash (Midwest brand with 12 locations in Chicagoland, Illinois). The company offers subscription-based unlimited wash memberships including ZIPS Unlimited® (up to 2 washes/day), Rocket Express Unlimited Car Wash Club (unlimited washes), and JetPass™ (unlimited washes with License Plate Recognition). Supporting products include mobile apps for iOS/Android with rewards programs, gift cards, fleet account services for businesses, corporate partnership programs, and a digital fundraising platform. The portfolio is unified by shared technology infrastructure including RFID membership tags (ZIPS/Rocket Express) and License Plate Recognition (Jet Brite), cross-brand promotional campaigns, and a unified mobile app ecosystem.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ZIPS Unlimited®: Unlimited car wash membership program allowing up to two washes per day, seven days a week, with dedicated members-only lane and exclusive perks.
- Rocket Express Unlimited Club
- JetPass™
Products and services
- ZIPS Unlimited® Membership Monthly recurring unlimited car wash membership at ZIPS Car Wash locations, allowing up to two washes per day, seven days a week, with a dedicated members-only lane, exclusive member discounts, complimentary vacuums, and no contract obligations. Target customer is the individual consumer car owner who wants frequent, affordable, no-commitment car care.
- Rocket Express Unlimited Car Wash Club Monthly recurring unlimited car wash membership at Rocket Express Car Wash locations in Idaho and Utah, with no daily wash limit, complimentary turbo vacuums, self-service detailing amenities, and a 4-minute wash promise. Graphene-Ceramic Wax Protect is available as a premium wash tier.
- JetPass™ Membership Monthly recurring unlimited car wash membership at Jet Brite Car Wash locations in the Chicagoland area, using License Plate Recognition technology for automated entry, with no daily wash limit and access to premium wash tiers such as Jet HD Glaze.
- ZIPS Mobile App Free mobile app for iOS and Android that lets ZIPS members and prospects manage unlimited memberships, earn and redeem rewards points, purchase digital gift cards, register multiple vehicles, play spin-to-win promotions, and unlock a complimentary Premier wash on sign-up.
- Rocket Express Mobile App Free mobile app for Rocket Express Car Wash customers to manage unlimited-club memberships, track and redeem rewards points, and participate in spin-to-win games, with a complimentary best wash awarded on sign-up.
- Jet Brite Mobile App Free mobile app for Jet Brite Car Wash customers in the Chicagoland area that supports License Plate Recognition, JetPass membership management, rewards points accumulation, and birthday bonus offers.
- Gift Cards Physical and digital gift cards redeemable for ZIPS Car Wash services, usable across participating locations, with no expiration date.
- Fleet Accounts Volume-based commercial washing service offering unlimited wash plans customized for businesses operating multiple vehicles (dealerships, municipalities, funeral homes, construction companies, car rental agencies), with dedicated account management and centralized billing.
- Corporate Partnerships B2B employee-benefit program that gives a company's workforce access to discounted ZIPS unlimited car wash memberships through their corporate email domain, with no cost to the partnering organization.
- Fundraising Program Stripe-integrated digital fundraising service that enables schools, sports teams, and community organizations to presell car wash vouchers and earn 50% of proceeds from premium wash sales, with weekly direct deposits and turnkey promotional materials.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ranked #1 in Newsweek's America's Best Customer Service for 3 consecutive years
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Zips Car Wash
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Zips Car Wash technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Zips Car Wash partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- LearfieldcoreCollegiate sports marketing and media company partnership for expanding brand visibility through university athletic programs and sports sponsorships
- Folds of HonorflagshipMilitary scholarship nonprofit partnership; Zips Car Wash has donated over $260,000+ to support scholarships for families of fallen and disabled service members
- AAA PartnershipminorDiscount partnership program offering AAA members exclusive savings on car wash services at Zips locations
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Zips Car Wash competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mister Car Wash: Largest publicly traded express car wash operator in the U.S. with 500+ locations and a subscription-led Unlimited Wash Club. Directly comparable to Zips on business model (unlimited memberships), geographic footprint, and customer base.
- Take 5 Car Wash: Major PE-backed express car wash chain with several hundred locations. Closest direct competitor to Zips in scale, subscription product, and multi-state presence.
- Quick Quack Car Wash: Large subscription-led express car wash operator with locations primarily in the western and southern U.S. Highly comparable unlimited membership model and tunnel infrastructure to Zips.
- ModWash: PE-backed express car wash operator growing aggressively across the Southeast. Directly comparable subscription model, tunnel operations, and target customer segment.
- Tommy's Express Car Wash: Franchise-based express car wash concept with several hundred franchised locations nationwide. Comparable unlimited membership offering and customer demographic.
- Splash Car Wash: Mid-sized express car wash operator with locations across the Northeast and other regions. Comparable subscription offerings and express tunnel model.
- Spotless Brands: Multi-brand express car wash platform (ZIPS Car Wash, Take 5, etc.) — wait, Spotless Brands is the prior PE parent of Take 5. Treat as a direct peer comparable to Zips's multi-brand express car wash portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Driven Brands: Public franchisor and operator of multiple automotive service brands including Take 5 Car Wash. Larger incumbent with a multi-brand auto-services portfolio; relevant for both competitive and acquisition-benchmark context.
Regional players
- Brown Bear Car Wash: Long-established express car wash chain concentrated in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon). Comparable membership model and tunnel infrastructure; relevant as a regional peer overlapping with Zips's western expansion.
Others
- Caliber Collision: Largest U.S. collision repair chain, part of the broader Helios/statistic automotive-services ecosystem. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but relevant as a comparable large-scale multi-location consumer automotive services operator and as a potential roll-up acquirer of adjacent categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zips Car Wash social profiles
Digital presenceZips Car Wash financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zips Car Wash leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Zips Car Wash subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Zips Car Wash funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zips Car Wash M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zips Car Wash
What does Zips Car Wash do?
Zips Car Wash operates 270+ automated express car wash tunnel locations across 20 U.S. states under three brands (ZIPS Car Wash, Rocket Express Car Wash, Jet Brite Car Wash), delivering exterior vehicle wash services on a per-wash or monthly unlimited-membership basis. The company sells subscription-based unlimited wash plans (ZIPS Unlimited®, Rocket Express Unlimited Club, JetPass™), one-time wash packages, fleet/commercial accounts, gift cards, and add-on services such as graphene-ceramic surface protection.
Is Zips Car Wash a public or private company?
Zips Car Wash is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Zips Car Wash founded?
Zips Car Wash was founded in 2004. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Zips Car Wash based?
Zips Car Wash is headquartered in Little Rock, United States, in the North America region.
How does Zips Car Wash make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Unlimited Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are pay-Per-Wash Services and fleet and Commercial Accounts.
Who are Zips Car Wash's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mister Car Wash, Take 5 Car Wash, Quick Quack Car Wash, ModWash, Tommy's Express Car Wash, Splash Car Wash and Spotless Brands. Driven Brands is listed as a broad incumbent. Brown Bear Car Wash is listed as a regional player. Caliber Collision is listed as an others.
Does Zips Car Wash have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zips Car Wash.
What industry is Zips Car Wash in?
Zips Car Wash's product category is Express Car Wash Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAEAMAL, Fleet/Vehicle & Equipment Exterior Washing (Residential/Light Commercial). Its NAICS code is 811192 and its SIC code is 7500.