--- title: "How to Turn Your Car Wash Into a C-Store Profit Center" url: https://burnaze.com/article/9ff47100-0b60-46b1-9eee-b3e67f3634a6 source: "CStore Decisions" original_url: https://cstoredecisions.com/how-to-turn-your-car-wash-into-a-c-store-profit-center/ author: "Erin Del Conte" category: "Car wash" industry: "Automotive" segment: "Car wash" topics: ["Finance & M&A"] published: 2026-07-31T14:13:31.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T13:19:28.514Z image: https://cstoredecisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_2284-683x1024.jpg --- # How to Turn Your Car Wash Into a C-Store Profit Center **TL;DR:** Convenience store retailers like H&S Energy, Tiger Fuel Co., and The PRIDE Stores are integrating car wash operations into their loyalty programs to drive profitability and site traffic. These retailers are leveraging technological advancements, such as automated payment systems and membership management tools, to enhance the customer experience and improve operational efficiency. *By Erin Del Conte, originally published in CStore Decisions on 2026-07-31. [Read the original](https://cstoredecisions.com/how-to-turn-your-car-wash-into-a-c-store-profit-center/).* ## Key facts - H&S Energy operates 50 Auto Spa locations - TigerWash features a membership program - The PRIDE Car Wash has a subscription program ## Story Connecting car wash subscriptions with c-store loyalty programs, maximizing uptime and leveraging data-driven insights can drive higher revenue and profitability across the entire site. Convenience store retailers are increasingly viewing car wash operations as a valuable complementary revenue stream to their c-store business. ## Car wash integration Today, more retailers are integrating car wash offerings into their loyalty programs and creating stronger connections between the car wash and c-store businesses. In doing so, they’re driving profitability, increasing site traffic and enhancing customer engagement across both channels. Retailers have various reasons for the type of car wash they choose to implement, and they’re enhancing their overall operations by leaning into technological advancements. H&S Energy, which has more than 280 c-stores under the Power Market, Extra Mile and Pinnacle 365 banners, operates 50 Auto Spa locations across California and Oregon. “We chose the in-bay automatic format because it fits the convenience store model perfectly,” said Hana Hassan, director of marketing and public relations, H&S Energy. “Our customers are already stopping for fuel or a quick in-store visit, and the in-bay format lets them get a quality wash without leaving their vehicle or waiting in a long tunnel queue. It’s a lower footprint investment that integrates seamlessly into our existing forecourt and delivers a consistent, high-quality wash experience every time.” H&S Energy offers the PM+ subscription program, which is a monthly unlimited wash subscription. “Members enjoy unlimited washes for a flat monthly fee, and (at press time) we’re offering 50% off the first two months as a promotional incentive to get customers into the program,” Hassan said. The program is managed through the Power Market Rewards app, which makes it simple for members to access their subscription, track usage and take advantage of various in-store deals. “Over the past year, we have continued investing in our car wash platform by enhancing our membership program, improving the customer experience and integrating our wash promotions more closely with our loyalty and mobile app programs,” Hassan said. H&S Energy has also introduced a new premium wash package that features a Graphene Ceramic Coating as part its “top-tier offering.” “This package provides customers with added protection and a sleek, high-gloss finish that helps their vehicle maintain that freshly detailed look long after the wash. As customer expectations continue to evolve, we remain focused on introducing products and technologies that deliver both convenience and exceptional results,” Hassan said. Hassan noted that technology plays a significant role in the company’s car wash operations. “We utilize automated payment systems, license plate recognition and membership management tools where applicable, and digital marketing integrations through our loyalty platform,” Hassan said. “We are also exploring emerging technologies that can help improve operational efficiency, equipment uptime, customer communication and predictive maintenance capabilities. Our focus is on using technology to create a seamless customer experience while maximizing reliability.” ## Tunnel wash benefits Tiger Fuel Co., which operates 10 The Market by Tiger c-stores in Virginia, sees the benefit of both in-bay and tunnel washes. It features 11 TigerWash car washes — eight in-bay locations and three express tunnel locations. “We have one additional express tunnel location opening this fall with several more in the pipeline,” said Nick Rogers, director of operations, TigerWash. “TigerWash originally started as operating in-bay locations connected to our retail stores. …” Rogers explained. “As we’ve grown and seen the car wash industry change, our model is to grow our express tunnel locations where we can offer more benefits to our loyal wash members.” TigerWash features a membership program known as “TigerWash Unlimited Club.” The program is tied to its express tunnel locations in Ruckersville, Long Street, Forest Lakes and the soon-to-come Waynesboro site set to open this fall. “Customers can wash unlimited times in a month at these three locations and have access to free vacuums, towels and window cleaner for one monthly price,” Rogers said. Members can take advantages of promotions throughout the year such as free wash events at express tunnel locations with swag and samples provided by The Market. TigerWash also features holiday promotions that include giveaways, such as free washes and flowers for moms on Mother’s Day and “lottery-style” scratchers on St. Patrick’s Day. On Halloween car wash guests can participate in costume competitions for free washes. “This year we launched our first ever Nonprofit November where we partnered with various local organizations to donate a portion of wash sales from the day to a different nonprofit,” Rogers said. TigerWash also offers Family Plan deals where multivehicle households can receive $10 off additional vehicles when they join the Tiger Ceramic and Tiger Wax plans. In the past year, TigerWash integrated its car wash customer relationship management (CRM) software with its loyalty program provider. “This integration has allowed unlimited wash members that are also Market Rewards customers to enjoy special fuel discounts every time they fuel up at a Market by Tiger location,” Rogers said. “Our integration … is a great example of using technology within our car wash program. This has been a huge sales tool to reduce churn rate and increase membership count.” TigerWash migrated to its CRM program two years ago, which has allowed it to communicate effectively with customers, track data and incorporate down sell opportunities to customers if they’re considering canceling their membership. When the new Waynesboro location opens this fall, it will include an additional camera at the pay station that will collect data on vehicles. The PRIDE Stores, which operates 18 company-operated stores in Illinois and Indiana, along with 11 car washes and 10 quick-service restaurants, operates its car wash business under the name The PRIDE Car Wash. Like Tiger Fuels, it features a mix of different wash types. “Nine of the 11 washes are tunnel washes and two are in-bay automatic,” said Mohammad Ahmad, VP, The PRIDE Stores. Local weather played into the chain’s decision on car wash type. “With Midwest seasonality, car wash business tends to be heavy in the winter months with the need to move cars in and out quickly and keep the lines moving. The best option for high volume is tunnel washes. In-bay automatic washes are suitable when the space is limited, and the wash volume does not warrant the spend on a tunnel equipment as the in-bay automatic tends to cost less,” he explained. The PRIDE Car Wash features a subscription program called ““The PRIDE Car Wash Pass,” where customers sign up for a monthly pass and gain access to unlimited washes. “Once the guest signs up, they get an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag that allows them to wash their cars at any of our car wash locations. For less than $1 per day, the guest has access to the ‘Premium Wash Package’ which is our top tier wash,” Ahmad said. ## Maximizing profitability Ahmad noted that when it comes to increasing car wash profitability, one of the most significant missed opportunities is maximizing uptime. “Measuring, tracking and quantifying the cost of downtime is an area of opportunity,” he said. “Every minute a wash is out of service is lost revenue and a bad guest experience.” Operators also leave money on the table when they neglect to launch a subscription program or fail to actively grow the membership base for the program they have. “This would mean the operator is missing out on predictable, recurring revenue. Not only do subscription programs drive volume, but they also build loyalty,” Ahmad said. TigerFuel’s Rogers advised other c-store retailers with car washes to ensure they’re measuring their membership, single wash and fleet pricing closely and regularly. “We recently implemented fleet programs to encourage local businesses with fleets to wash with us at a lower cost,” he noted. TigerWash also changed its chemical cost so that it’s only paying for chemical usage per vehicle instead of receiving one large order of chemical on a regular basis, Roger pointed out. “This allows us to analyze our usage and make adjustments as needed to lower cost and increase profitability,” he said. “We also use water reclaim systems at all our express tunnel locations to decrease cost.” One of the biggest missed opportunities, according to H&S Energy’s Hassan, is that some retailers fail to connect their car wash with the c-store experience. “Car wash customers are already choosing to visit your location for something beyond a traditional fuel stop, which creates a valuable opportunity to drive additional in-store traffic and sales,” Hassan said. “Whether it’s offering a coffee, snack, meal deal or loyalty incentive, operators who create a seamless connection between the wash and the store can significantly increase the overall value of each customer visit.” She said the most successful programs treat the car wash as a traffic driver for the entire site that benefits both the customers and the business. When asked what he thinks will separate the most successful c-store car wash operators from the rest of the industry over the next five years, Rogers pointed to customer service, loyalty programs and staying on top of rising trends. “We take extreme pride in how we treat our customers and the experience they have at our wash,” he said. Hassan agreed that loyalty programs and data are keys to success. “The operators who win will be those who know their customers — who they are, how often they wash, what they buy inside — and use that data to create personalized offers and genuine reasons to come back,” Hassan said. “A car wash without a subscription program and a loyalty ecosystem around it is just a commodity.” Ahmad also pointed to subscription programs as a critical driver of growth and customer loyalty. “Executing on those programs will give those operators an advantage,” he agreed. Ahmad has also observed a change in mindset among convenience store retailers who can no longer afford to treat car washes “as simply the building next to the store.” “It must be actively managed as a core part of the business,” Ahmad said. “This includes consistent maintenance, daily operational checks to ensure equipment is performing as intended and a focus on delivering a quality guest experience. Getting the basics right is a must.” He believes successful car wash operators five years from now will be the ones who invested today in promoting and marketing their car wash programs while consistently training their teams to upsell washes and engage customers. “As convenience retailers, we are uniquely positioned to stand out by emphasizing the convenience of trip consolidation, offering customers fast seamless in and out experience combining fuel, food, convenience and car wash in one stop,” Ahmad said. “Leveraging this, along with providing value, will help in an increasingly competitive area of the business.” Hassan agreed, adding she expects car wash operates who create recurring revenue by leveraging membership programs and then converting those wash customers to c-store shoppers will be the ones who have the most future success. Retailers have plenty of strategies up their sleeves to help connect their stores and their washes. At Tiger Fuels’ in-bay locations that are connected to The Market locations, TigerWash offers wash coupon packs at a discounted rate when they’re purchased in the convenience store. It also hosts monthly events at its c-store locations where it incorporates TigerWash through free wash coupons and swag to encourage customers to visit. When customers purchase a wash at the pump, customers can receive discounted fuel. “The hope is they’ll continue to revisit us but (that it will) also drive them to go inside,” Rogers said. But integrating its CRM and loyalty program is its biggest push to increase c-store sales. “By offering these customers special fuel discounts, we hope they’re seeing our on-site signage, media on the pumps, etc., to see the offers provided in-store,” he said. Hassan also sees her company’s Power Market Rewards app as the thing that connects the car wash to the convenience store business. “Members who sign up for PM+ are already in our loyalty ecosystem, which means they’re seeing our fuel deals, snack promotions and club offers every time they open the app,” she said. “We use the wash as an entry point into the relationship and get them washing with us regularly, and we earn more opportunities to pull them inside.” In other words, H&S Energy doesn’t just view its car wash business as “just an additional service,” but as an important piece of its “customer experience strategy.” “Our goal is to create destinations where customers can fuel up, grab a meal, shop for essentials and maintain their vehicle all in one convenient stop,” Hassan said. “As customer expectations evolve, we remain committed to investing in technology, innovation and service that make every visit easier and more rewarding.” ## Entities - Retail (sector) - CStore Decisions (publication) - Erin Del Conte (person) - technological advancements (topic) - convenience store operations (topic) - H&S Energy (company) - subscription programs (topic) - Tiger Fuel Co. (company) - The PRIDE Stores (company) - Hana Hassan (person) - Nick Rogers (person) - Mohammad Ahmad (person) --- Originally reported by Erin Del Conte, CStore Decisions (https://cstoredecisions.com/how-to-turn-your-car-wash-into-a-c-store-profit-center/). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/9ff47100-0b60-46b1-9eee-b3e67f3634a6).