ZIPS marks remodeled sites with free wash weekend across three states
The chain gave away washes at upgraded locations in Georgia, South Carolina and Kentucky as part of an ongoing reinvestment in existing stores and technology.
By The Car Wash News Staff
3 min read
ZIPS Car Wash held a free wash weekend on Aug. 21 and 22 to showcase remodeled locations and reinforce its investment in the communities where it operates. The events spanned upgraded sites in Georgia, South Carolina and Kentucky, offering complimentary washes to drivers who wanted to see the improvements in person.
According to reporting from Professional Carwashing & Detailing, the company positioned the weekend as both a customer appreciation event and a chance to reintroduce local drivers to modernized facilities. Free air fresheners were offered at participating sites while supplies lasted.
What the upgrades include
The company celebrated four upgraded locations across Georgia and South Carolina, including sites in Grayson, Cleveland, Commerce and Watkinsville, Georgia. The improvements covered remodeled surroundings, enhanced tunnel equipment and operational updates meant to speed up and simplify each visit.
CEO Pete Nani framed the work as more than cosmetic, saying the company is investing in technology, equipment and people rather than just properties. The stated goal is a cleaner and more convenient experience that positions the locations to serve their markets over the long term.
Louisville renovations lean on point-of-sale technology
In Kentucky, ZIPS marked recent renovations at two Louisville locations on South Dixie Highway and Cane Run Road. The Louisville events added promotional elements, including a live radio remote and ticket giveaways, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in partnership with the Greater Louisville Chamber of Commerce on the morning of Aug. 21.
Doug Miller, vice president of marketing, tied the Louisville upgrades to the chain's AMP Technology, describing a faster and more connected point-of-sale process. According to Miller, the technology lets operators spend less time on transactions and more time with customers. The company said the goal across all Louisville sites is to remove friction and improve convenience at each visit.
Why it matters for operators
ZIPS is signaling a strategy that many mature operators face as their portfolios age: reinvesting in existing stores rather than relying solely on new construction. Remodels of tunnel equipment, surroundings and point-of-sale systems can protect membership retention and traffic at sites that may otherwise lose ground to newer nearby competitors.
The free wash weekend is a reminder that a remodel is also a marketing event. Reopening an upgraded site with complimentary washes, giveaways and local partnerships gives operators a reason to draw lapsed customers back through the tunnel and convert first-time visitors into members. Pairing the physical upgrades with community touchpoints, such as a chamber of commerce ribbon-cutting or a radio remote, extends the reach beyond existing customers.
The emphasis on point-of-sale technology is also worth noting. Faster, more intuitive entry can reduce stacking at pay stations, improve throughput and free up staff for customer service, all of which affect per-site revenue. Operators weighing capital spending should consider whether a targeted remodel of an underperforming location, promoted with a similar reopening push, could deliver a better return than opening from scratch.
