Tidal Wave opens two new washes, reaching 335 sites across 30 states
The conveyor chain added locations in Claremore, Oklahoma, and El Paso, Texas, paired with free wash promotions and local charitable giveback days.
By The Car Wash News Staff
3 min read
Tidal Wave Auto Spa has opened two new conveyor car wash locations in Claremore, Oklahoma, and El Paso, Texas, pushing its total network to 335 sites spread across 30 states. The openings mark the company's sixth location in Oklahoma and its 23rd in Texas, according to reporting from Auto Laundry News.
The El Paso site is the chain's second in that city, a move the company framed as a response to strong local demand. Founder and CEO Scott Blackstock said the simultaneous openings reflect both entry into new markets and expansion in existing ones.
Grand opening promotions
Both locations ran a free wash promotion from October 7 through October 18, giving customers 12 days to try the company's premium Graph-X4 plus Super Shammy package at no charge. The offer serves the dual purpose of generating trial and driving membership signups during the critical opening window.
Each site is equipped with mat cleaning stations, free tire air, spot-free rinse, undercarriage wash, foam and wax treatments, and tire shine. The feature set positions the locations at the full-service end of the express conveyor model.
Community investment tied to openings
Tidal Wave paired each grand opening with a giveback day. On October 14, the Claremore location donated $1 for every free wash and $5 for every new Clean Club membership to Roosa Elementary School. On October 15, the El Paso location ran the same structure, directing proceeds to The ARC El Paso, which supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The company reports it has donated more than $8 million to charitable organizations nationwide. Tying donation amounts directly to free washes and membership signups links community giving to the same metrics that drive opening-week performance.
Why it matters for operators
Tidal Wave's dual opening offers a template for how large chains convert grand opening traffic into recurring revenue. The 12-day free wash window is long enough to build a habit, and pairing it with membership incentives gives customers a reason to convert before the free period ends. Operators planning a new site launch can study the length of the trial period as a lever for membership capture rather than defaulting to a single free wash day.
The charitable giveback structure is also worth noting. By tying $1 per wash and $5 per membership to a local school or nonprofit, the chain generates goodwill while giving customers an extra reason to sign up during the opening. The donation becomes a marketing cost that doubles as community investment, and it anchors the new location to a recognizable local cause from day one.
Finally, the clustering strategy is instructive. Adding a second El Paso site in direct response to demand shows how operators can deepen market share in proven territories rather than always chasing new geography. For independents weighing expansion, the lesson is that a strong first location can justify a second nearby before moving to untested markets.
