Express Wash Concepts adds three Clean Hub sites in metro Detroit
The acquisition pushes Express Wash Concepts to 147 express locations across six states as it rebrands the sites under Clean Express Auto Wash.
By The Car Wash News Staff
3 min read
Express Wash Concepts has acquired three Clean Hub Car Wash locations in metro Detroit, continuing its expansion across the region. The deal brings the company's portfolio to 147 express carwash locations across six states, including 63 operating under the Clean Express Auto Wash brand, according to reporting from Professional Carwashing & Detailing.
The acquired sites are located in Shelby Township, Sterling Heights and Oxford, Michigan. Once reopened under the Clean Express Auto Wash name, they will bring the brand's combined footprint across Detroit and Flint to 21 locations.
Renovation and rebranding plan
All three sites temporarily closed beginning Oct. 9 while the company invests in renovations, upgraded equipment, technology and branding changes. Each location is expected to reopen in mid-November under the Clean Express Auto Wash banner. The company plans to mark the reopenings with grand opening events and free wash week promotions at all three sites, with additional details to come as the renovations advance.
John Roush, founder and CEO of Express Wash Concepts, described metro Detroit as an important growth market and said the acquisitions move the company closer to building a connected regional network. He also pointed to a focus on retaining existing Clean Hub customers through the transition.
What happens to existing members
The company laid out specific terms for current Clean Hub unlimited club members. Those members will automatically be upgraded to the premium Clean-est Ultra Unlimited Wash Club at $20 per month for six months. Billing will be waived during the temporary closures, and affected members can wash for free at other Clean Express or Express Wash Concepts locations while their sites are offline. The company said no action is required from existing members to receive these benefits.
Clean Express Auto Wash now operates 63 locations across Greater Cleveland, Detroit, Flint, Pittsburgh and Toledo.
Why it matters for operators
This deal is a useful case study in how large chains handle member retention during an acquisition. The riskiest moment in any carwash acquisition is the membership handoff, when customers who signed up under one brand can churn if they feel pushed or confused. Express Wash Concepts addressed that directly: automatic upgrades, waived billing during closures, access to other sites, and no required action from members. Each of those steps lowers friction and reduces the chance of cancellations during the transition.
The temporary closure strategy is also worth noting. Rather than keeping the sites running during renovation, the company chose to close for roughly five weeks to overhaul equipment, technology and branding all at once. For operators weighing whether to buy and rebrand versus buy and run as is, the plan shows a willingness to absorb short-term revenue loss in exchange for a consistent customer experience across the network.
Finally, the pairing of a free wash week with a grand opening reopening is a reminder that a rebrand can be marketed as a fresh launch. Operators acquiring neighborhood sites can use that moment to reintroduce the location, convert retail traffic into members, and build local awareness of the new brand.
