EmpireCLS
EmpireCLS is the largest privately-held luxury chauffeured ground transportation provider in the US, offering black-car, limousine, executive van, and motorcoach services to corporate accounts, five-diamond hotels, and luxury event clients across 1,000+ cities worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersNorwood, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What EmpireCLS does
EmpireCLS is a privately-held luxury chauffeured ground transportation company operating as a corporation domiciled in New Jersey and founded in 1985 (with conflicting firmographic data citing 1980). The company describes itself as the largest privately-held luxury chauffeured transportation provider globally, offering black-car, limousine, executive Sprinter van, and motorcoach services across more than 1,000 cities on six continents. Its owned-and-operated footprint is anchored by corporate headquarters in Secaucus, NJ and a regional office in El Segundo, CA, with dedicated local dispatch in 30-plus US metropolitan markets and a vetted affiliate partner network that extends coverage internationally.
The product portfolio spans point-to-point chauffeured service, hourly "as directed" reservations, flat-rate airport transfers, executive and luxury vehicles (Mercedes-Benz S550, Cadillac XTS, BMW 760i, Cadillac Lyriq, Cadillac Escalade), 8-passenger Executive Sprinter vans, custom 6-passenger stretch limousines for weddings, and motorcoaches holding up to 56 passengers. Add-on offerings include VIP Airport Concierge/greeter services in 300 cities, meetings and events transportation with dedicated event managers, and wedding and sports-team packages. Supporting technology includes the proprietary WebConnect online booking platform (booking.empirecls.com), Silent Passenger GPS tracking on all vehicles, DriveCam in-vehicle monitoring, real-time commercial flight tracking, SMS/email chauffeur notifications, and integration with Deem corporate travel software.
Revenue is generated primarily on a per-transaction basis with hourly or flat-rate pricing plus surcharges (gratuity, fuel, tolls, airport fees, congestion fees), supplemented by recurring corporate account billing under negotiated terms and professional-services revenue from meetings, events, and concierge engagements. The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales targeting corporate accounts and five-diamond hotel partners, an inside-sales 24/7 reservation operation, direct-to-consumer self-serve booking through web and mobile, and a travel-agency/GDS channel. Five-diamond hotels (including the Beverly Hills Hotel, SLS Hotel, and Hotel Bel-Air) serve as a primary referral channel, and the company has historically financed growth through debt facilities from Praesidian Capital, Kemper, and M&T Bank, most recently raising $10.5M in April 2015.
EmpireCLS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EmpireCLS
- Legal name
- EmpireCLS Limousine
- Website
- https://empirecls.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- EmpireCLS is the largest privately-held luxury chauffeured ground transportation provider in the US, offering black-car, limousine, executive van, and motorcoach services to corporate accounts, five-diamond hotels, and luxury event clients across 1,000+ cities worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EmpireCLS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Ground Transportation Services
- NAICS
- Limousine Service (48532), Limousine Service (485320), Charter Bus Industry (4855), Charter Bus Industry (48551)
- SIC
- Transportation Services (4700), Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VIP Transportation & Motorcade Services (HSACAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate & Employee Fleet Programs (THADAKAC), Luxury Sedan & Executive Car Rentals (THADAMAB)
Keywords
Where EmpireCLS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Norwood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
EmpireCLS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Per-Transaction Transportation Services: Primary revenue from individual transportation trips billed at base rates plus additional charges including gratuity, fuel surcharges, tolls, airport fees, and taxes. Reservations are quoted as estimates with final charges calculated post-trip based on actual usage including wait time, extra stops, and services rendered.
- Corporate Account Billing: Corporate accounts receive direct billing solutions with consolidated invoicing for ongoing business relationships. Account administrators can create, update, and cancel reservations through online systems with corporate billing terms.
- Meetings and Events Services: Specialized event transportation services for meetings, conferences, conventions, and group travel. Includes dedicated event managers and coordination services for large-scale transportation logistics.
- Airport Concierge/VIP Services: Premium airport greeter services including expedited check-in, priority boarding, porter service, and VIP lounge access available as add-on services to standard transportation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Hourly Rate Transportation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Airport Transfers |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gratuity |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Surcharges and Fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Extra Services |
| Quote-based/ custom | Pay-as-you-go | Motorcoach/Charter Bus |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
EmpireCLS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EmpireCLS provides luxury chauffeured ground transportation services spanning corporate car service, airport transfers, wedding and special-event transportation, motorcoach and charter bus rental, and VIP airport concierge services. The company operates a late-model fleet of luxury sedans, SUVs, stretch limousines, executive Sprinter vans, and 56-passenger motorcoaches, supported by a 24/7 reservation center, the proprietary WebConnect online booking platform, and a global affiliate network covering 1000+ cities.
Product overview
EmpireCLS is a luxury chauffeured transportation service provider offering a comprehensive suite of ground transportation solutions. The core offering includes Chauffeured Car Service, Corporate/Executive Limousine Service, Luxury Car Service, Airport Limo Service, and Wedding Limo Service. The company operates the WebConnect Online Booking System as its primary reservation platform and offers premium add-on services including Airport Concierge Service (VIP greeters, expedited security, lounge access) and Meetings & Events Transportation with dedicated Event Managers. The fleet spans luxury sedans (Mercedes-Benz S550, Cadillac XTS, BMW 760i), SUVs (Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Lyriq), Executive Sprinter vans, custom stretch limousines, and Motorcoach/Charter buses holding up to 56 passengers. Services are available in over 1000 cities worldwide with a 15-minute early arrival guarantee.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Chauffeured Car Service Door-to-door luxury black car and limousine service with professional chauffeurs, late-model luxury vehicles, 15-minute early arrival guarantee, and real-time GPS tracking. Available in over 1000 cities worldwide through EmpireCLS-operated markets and vetted affiliate partners.
- Corporate/Executive Limousine Service Executive black car service tailored for corporate accounts covering airport transfers, client entertainment, road shows, board meetings, and corporate events. Features late-model luxury vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi and phone chargers, plus integrated billing through the Deem corporate travel platform.
- Airport Limo Service Airport-to-door transportation with active flight monitoring, meet-and-greet options, and 45/75-minute grace periods for domestic and international arrivals respectively. Includes an $18 airport fee and connects to the global Airport Concierge service in 300 cities.
- Wedding Limo Service Special-occasion wedding transportation featuring custom Cadillac XTS 6-passenger stretch limousines, real-time traffic updates, and a dedicated Events team for on-site support across multi-stop wedding day itineraries.
- Executive Sprinter Vans Luxury passenger vans seating up to 8 passengers in plush captain's chairs with in-vehicle entertainment, high-speed Wi-Fi, and satellite TV, targeted at corporate road shows, group airport transfers, and executive group travel.
- Coach Bus Rental Luxury motorcoach rental with vehicles accommodating up to 56 passengers, featuring leather-trimmed seats, A/C, USB ports, wireless Internet, and advanced A/V equipment with LCD monitors for conferences, sports team travel, and large group events.
- Charter Bus Rental Private charter and minibus rental for corporate events, weddings, sports teams, and conventions, available in 30, 40, and 56-passenger configurations with optional bathroom facilities for long-distance travel.
- Airport Concierge Service VIP airport greeter and concierge service offering expedited security, VIP lounge access, priority boarding, carry-on luggage assistance, and cart service through the airport, available as an add-on to standard transportation in 300 cities worldwide.
- Meetings & Events Transportation Full-service event transportation management for conferences, conventions, incentive trips, and exhibitions, with dedicated Event Managers, on-site walkthroughs, and multi-vehicle coordination for groups of any size.
Quantifiable outcome
- On-time service guaranteed through 15-minute early arrival policy and 24/7 monitoring of flight schedules
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use EmpireCLS
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
EmpireCLS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
EmpireCLS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DeemcoreDeem corporate travel software integration allows seamless reservation booking and direct corporate billing for EmpireCLS transportation services. The integration enables instant reservation requests and automated billing reconciliation for corporate travel managers.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
EmpireCLS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Carey International: Carey International is one of the largest chauffeured transportation providers globally, offering executive black car, limousine, and group transportation in 1000+ cities with a similar corporate and luxury hospitality customer base. Directly comparable in service mix, fleet class, and global affiliate-driven model.
- Blacklane: Blacklane is a global chauffeured airport transfer and city-to-city service operating in 50+ countries with a digital-first booking platform. Competes directly with EmpireCLS in premium chauffeur service to business travelers and integrates with corporate travel platforms in a similar fashion.
- GroundLink: GroundLink provides chauffeured ground transportation in major US cities with online booking, corporate account management, and airport transfer specialization. Overlaps with EmpireCLS in executive and airport segment with a comparable per-transaction pricing model.
- Tristar Transportation: Tristar Transportation is a New York-area luxury chauffeured car and limousine provider serving corporate, hotel, and airport clients. Closely comparable in fleet composition (luxury sedans, SUVs, Sprinters, motorcoaches) and NYC-market customer mix.
- Boston Coach (acquired by Carey): Boston Coach was a major East Coast luxury chauffeured provider serving corporate and hotel clients in Boston, New York, and other key markets. Directly comparable in service offering, fleet class, and enterprise account structure prior to its acquisition by Carey.
Emerging players
- Motev: Motev is a sustainable luxury chauffeur service in the Washington DC market using a fleet of all-electric vehicles. Comparable in premium positioning and corporate clientele, with a partial overlap in EV-fleet strategy and luxury hospitality partnerships.
Broad incumbents
- Uber (Uber Black / Comfort): Uber's premium tiers (Black, Comfort, XL) and Uber for Business platform compete with EmpireCLS in corporate executive transportation, leveraging a vastly larger driver network and digital-first booking. Not a direct luxury peer but increasingly overlaps at the corporate travel manager level.
- Lyft (Lyft Lux / Business): Lyft's premium Lyft Lux tier and Lyft Business platform target the same corporate travel spend as EmpireCLS with broader geographic reach and lower price points. Operates as a broad incumbent in the ride-hail category rather than specializing in luxury chauffeured hospitality.
- Sixt Ride: Sixt Ride provides chauffeured transfer services globally as part of the broader Sixt mobility portfolio (rental, leasing, car sharing). Comparable in global airport transfer offering and corporate account structure, though not specializing in luxury black-car hospitality.
Regional players
- Mears Transportation: Mears Transportation operates luxury chauffeured, taxi, and shuttle services primarily in Florida and select US markets. Comparable in fleet composition and hospitality-grade service, though regionally focused rather than competing head-to-head across EmpireCLS's full national footprint.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EmpireCLS social profiles
Digital presenceEmpireCLS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EmpireCLS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
EmpireCLS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EmpireCLS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EmpireCLS
What does EmpireCLS do?
EmpireCLS provides luxury chauffeured ground transportation services spanning corporate car service, airport transfers, wedding and special-event transportation, motorcoach and charter bus rental, and VIP airport concierge services. The company operates a late-model fleet of luxury sedans, SUVs, stretch limousines, executive Sprinter vans, and 56-passenger motorcoaches, supported by a 24/7 reservation center, the proprietary WebConnect online booking platform, and a global affiliate network covering 1000+ cities.
Is EmpireCLS a public or private company?
EmpireCLS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was EmpireCLS founded?
EmpireCLS was founded in 1985. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is EmpireCLS based?
EmpireCLS is headquartered in Norwood, United States, in the North America region.
How does EmpireCLS make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Per-Transaction Transportation Services are the primary driver. The others are corporate Account Billing, meetings and Events Services and airport Concierge/VIP Services.
Who are EmpireCLS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Carey International, Blacklane, GroundLink, Tristar Transportation and Boston Coach (acquired by Carey). Motev is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Uber (Uber Black / Comfort), Lyft (Lyft Lux / Business) and Sixt Ride. Mears Transportation is listed as a regional player.
Does EmpireCLS have an API?
No public API is recorded for EmpireCLS.
What industry is EmpireCLS in?
EmpireCLS's product category is Luxury Ground Transportation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAMAG, VIP Transportation & Motorcade Services, with a secondary code of THADAKAC, Corporate & Employee Fleet Programs. Its NAICS code is 48532 and its SIC code is 4700.