Rising Tide Car Wash
Family-owned express car wash chain in South Florida that employs adults with autism as its core workforce. Operates three corporate locations with a fourth opening late 2026, sells subscription memberships and fleet services, and offers a franchise program for geographic expansion.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersPompano Beach, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Rising Tide Car Wash does
Rising Tide Car Wash is a family-owned, for-profit express car wash operator headquartered in Parkland, Florida, founded in 2013 by John and Tom D'Eri. Its defining feature is a workforce composed of approximately 80% adults on the autism spectrum — over 90 currently employed across the company — supported by specialized training, visual management systems, and coaching infrastructure developed specifically for neurodivergent employees. The company operates three corporate locations in Parkland, Margate, and Coral Springs, with a fourth under construction in Pompano Beach scheduled to open in late 2026, and offers a franchise program to extend its model through third-party operators.
The core product is the Ripple Club subscription membership, structured in three exterior tiers (Tide Glaze at $29.90/mo, Tide Gloss at $34.95/mo, Tide Guard at $42.95/mo) and three interior-inclusive variants ($49-$69.90/mo), each offering unlimited washes with tiered protective coatings (Carnauba wax, Ceramic SuperShine, Graphene Shield). Single-pay washes are priced $14.95-$25.23. Technology includes an express exterior tunnel system with non-scratch materials, license plate recognition for member auto-entry, and a FlexWash-powered member portal. Fleet services for commercial accounts, family plan add-ons, and a Making Waves fundraiser partnership program extend the revenue surface.
Revenue is generated primarily from consumer subscriptions and single washes at the three South Florida sites, supplemented by a developing fleet commercial program with named accounts including the Broward County Sheriff's Office, JM Family Enterprises, and local municipal agencies. Distribution is exclusively physical retail in a tight South Florida footprint, with a new franchise channel and the Pompano Beach buildout as the primary forward-looking growth vectors. The company has accumulated broad earned-media coverage (CNN, TODAY, NBC, GMA, Oprah, National Geographic) that supports a mission-driven brand position distinct from commodity car wash competitors.
Rising Tide Car Wash firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rising Tide Car Wash
- Legal name
- Rising Tide Car Wash Franchise LLC
- Website
- https://risingtidecarwash.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Family-owned express car wash chain in South Florida that employs adults with autism as its core workforce. Operates three corporate locations with a fourth opening late 2026, sells subscription memberships and fleet services, and offers a franchise program for geographic expansion.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rising Tide 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 Rising Tide Car Wash is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pompano Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Rising Tide Car Wash business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Subscription Membership (Ripple Club): Monthly recurring subscription model offering unlimited exterior washes and/or interior cleaning services depending on tier. Auto-renews monthly with no long-term contracts. Family plans offer 25% discount on additional vehicles.
- Pay-as-you-go single washes: One-time payment for single wash services at standard retail pricing. Exterior wash services from $14.95 to $25.23 depending on package.
- Fleet Services Program: Commercial vehicle washing programs with volume-based pricing. Options include Pay As You Go (10-30% off), Pre-Paid Washes (20-30% off), and Monthly Passes (25-30% off).
- Fundraiser/Partnership Program: Making Waves partnership program where organizations raise funds through custom promo codes. 50% back on wash purchases and 100% back on first month of new memberships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Tide Guard Exterior - Top-tier unlimited exterior washes with graphene shield protection |
| Subscription | Monthly | Tide Gloss Exterior - Mid-tier unlimited exterior washes with ceramic super shine |
| Subscription | Monthly | Tide Glaze Exterior - Entry-tier unlimited exterior washes with wax protection |
| Subscription | Monthly | Tide Guard Interior - Full service exterior plus interior cleaning |
| Subscription | Monthly | Tide Gloss Interior - Full service exterior plus interior cleaning |
| Subscription | Monthly | Tide Glaze Interior - Full service exterior plus interior cleaning |
| Subscription | Monthly | Family Plan Add-on - 25% off additional vehicles |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Fleet Pay As You Go - Volume-based commercial vehicle washing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fleet Pre-Paid Washes - Bulk purchase commercial washing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Fleet Monthly Pass - Unlimited commercial vehicle washing |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Rewards Program - Free wash on every 5th visit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Rising Tide Car Wash product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rising Tide Car Wash operates express exterior and interior car wash tunnels at retail locations in South Florida, selling tiered unlimited subscription memberships (Ripple Club) and pay-as-you-go single washes to consumers. The business is mission-driven, employing primarily adults on the autism spectrum, and additionally offers commercial fleet washing programs and a franchise opportunity for geographic expansion.
Product overview
Rising Tide Car Wash operates as a multi-location car wash service provider with four distinct product lines: unlimited membership programs (Ripple Club with three tiers: Tide Guard, Tide Gloss, and Tide Glaze), pay-per-wash services (exterior and interior cleaning), business solutions (Fleet Services and Franchising), and customer engagement programs (Rewards Program and Making Waves partnerships). The Ripple Club memberships form the core offering, with tiered pricing based on service level, while family plans and fleet services extend accessibility to additional customer segments. Interior cleaning services are available at select locations (Parkland and Margate), and a fourth location in Pompano Beach is under development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ripple Club Membership Monthly recurring unlimited car wash subscription offering three service tiers (Tide Glaze, Tide Gloss, Tide Guard) with options for exterior-only or exterior-plus-interior cleaning. Includes premium treatments such as Graphene Shield, Ceramic SuperShine, ShineBooster, ShineBath, bug repellent, clean rims, tire shine, rainbow polish, and Carnauba wax. Designed for individual consumers and families seeking predictable, unlimited car washing across all Rising Tide South Florida locations.
- Pay-Per-Wash Exterior Service Single-purchase express exterior car wash with no recurring commitment. Available in three tiers (Tide Glaze, Tide Gloss, Tide Guard) priced from $14.95 to $25.23 before tax. Average service time is approximately 20 minutes with express exterior tunnel cleaning. Designed for occasional or trial-use customers.
- Express Interior Cleaning Interior cleaning service including vacuum, window cleaning, dashboard, door, and cup holder dusting plus exterior touch-up. Available only at Parkland and Margate locations. Designed for members and walk-in customers wanting a combined interior and exterior cleaning package.
- Family Plans Multi-vehicle discount plan allowing up to four additional vehicles beyond the primary vehicle to be added to a Ripple Club membership at 25% off per additional vehicle. Designed for households with multiple cars seeking consolidated unlimited washing under one membership.
- Fleet Services Program Commercial vehicle washing program with three pricing structures: Pay As You Go (10-30% off based on monthly volume), Pre-Paid Washes (20-30% off based on bulk purchase), and Monthly Passes (25-30% off for unlimited washes up to 8 times per vehicle per month). Designed for local businesses, government agencies, and organizations with vehicle fleets.
- Rewards Program Free-wash loyalty program where participants earn one complimentary wash ($25.23 retail value) for every five washes purchased at retail pay-as-you-go pricing. Designed for occasional car wash customers who prefer pay-as-you-go without committing to a subscription.
- Franchise Program Franchise offering enabling entrepreneurs and family investors to open Rising Tide Car Wash locations under protected exclusive territories (typically five-mile radius). Includes expert real estate partners for site selection. Designed for prospective franchisees meeting the financial qualifications.
- Making Waves Partnership Program Community fundraiser partnership enabling schools, sports teams, and nonprofit organizations to generate funds through custom Rising Tide promo codes. Partners receive 50% back on wash purchases and 100% back on the first month of new Ripple Club memberships originated through their code.
Quantifiable outcome
- Industry-leading member retention rate 5x higher than competitors
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Rising Tide Car Wash
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Rising Tide Car Wash technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature3 records
Rising Tide Car Wash partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- FlexWashcoreMember portal technology powering the Ripple Club membership management system embedded on the website. Essential for membership operations.
- Real Estate PartnerscoreExpert real estate partners who help franchisees identify and secure high-traffic, prime locations for new Rising Tide Car Wash sites. Critical to franchise expansion strategy.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Rising Tide Car Wash competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ZIPS Car Wash: ZIPS is a multi-site express exterior car wash chain with an unlimited membership model similar to Rising Tide's Ripple Club; both target individual consumers and families with tiered subscription packages. They overlap directly on car wash category, core product, and target customer.
- Tommy's Express Car Wash: Tommy's Express is a franchise-driven express car wash concept with memberships, tech-enabled tunnels, and rapid unit growth — the most direct franchise model comparable to Rising Tide's emerging franchise offering in terms of GTM motion and unit economics.
- AutoBell Car Wash: AutoBell is a regional express car wash chain with express exterior washes and membership programs in the Southeast U.S., a direct comparable to Rising Tide on service model, geographic competition, and customer targeting.
- PDQ Car Wash: PDQ operates express exterior car wash locations with subscription programs in multiple U.S. markets, overlapping directly with Rising Tide's product offering, customer base, and tiered membership structure.
- ModWash: ModWash is a high-growth express exterior car wash franchise with membership programs and modern tunnel systems; highly comparable to Rising Tide in service model, target market, and tech-enabled operations.
- Car Wash USA Express: Car Wash USA Express operates express exterior car wash sites with membership products, directly comparable to Rising Tide on service format (tunnel wash, unlimited plans) and primary customer segment.
- Quick Quack Car Wash: Quick Quack operates express exterior car wash sites with an unlimited wash club membership, directly comparable to Rising Tide's tiered Ripple Club subscriptions and tunnel-based exterior wash model.
Broad incumbents
- Driven Brands (Take 5 Car Wash): Driven Brands is a publicly-traded multi-brand automotive services consolidator that owns Take 5 Car Wash, the largest U.S. express car wash chain; broad incumbent in the car wash category competing with Rising Tide on price and footprint scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rising Tide Car Wash social profiles
Digital presenceRising Tide Car Wash financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rising Tide Car Wash leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Rising Tide Car Wash funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rising Tide Car Wash M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rising Tide Car Wash
What does Rising Tide Car Wash do?
Rising Tide Car Wash operates express exterior and interior car wash tunnels at retail locations in South Florida, selling tiered unlimited subscription memberships (Ripple Club) and pay-as-you-go single washes to consumers. The business is mission-driven, employing primarily adults on the autism spectrum, and additionally offers commercial fleet washing programs and a franchise opportunity for geographic expansion.
Is Rising Tide Car Wash a public or private company?
Rising Tide Car Wash is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Rising Tide Car Wash founded?
Rising Tide Car Wash was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Rising Tide Car Wash based?
Rising Tide Car Wash is headquartered in Pompano Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rising Tide Car Wash make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Subscription Membership (Ripple Club) is the primary driver. The others are pay-as-you-go single washes, fleet Services Program and fundraiser/Partnership Program.
Who are Rising Tide Car Wash's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ZIPS Car Wash, Tommy's Express Car Wash, AutoBell Car Wash, PDQ Car Wash, ModWash, Car Wash USA Express and Quick Quack Car Wash. Driven Brands (Take 5 Car Wash) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Rising Tide Car Wash have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rising Tide Car Wash.
What industry is Rising Tide Car Wash in?
Rising Tide 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.