While some convenience retailers are focusing their growth on their store count, others are looking outside the box with car wash updates and expansions.
Some retailers are taking their car washes to the next level with updated car wash tunnels and subscription services. Others are expanding the reach of their car wash empires. A car wash at a convenience store can bring in customers who might not otherwise stop — and once they’re on the property, advertising or loyalty tie-ins can draw them inside the store.
Here’s how Alimentation Couche-Tard, QuikTrip and Madison Capital Group have all recently expanded their car wash ambitions.
Circle K makes the most out of its M&A
Alimentation Couche-Tard, parent company of the Circle K and Holiday banners, raised a few eyebrows in late 2022 when it agreed to acquire True Blue Car Wash. When the deal closed, Couche-Tard took ownership of more than 60 Clean Freak and Rainstorm car washes in Arizona, Texas, Illinois and Indiana.
Couche-Tard has continued growing the brands by both expanding in existing markets and opening in new states.
Clean Freak, in particular, has been expanding into new markets. The company opened its first car wash in Florida on April 9, 2025, in Wesley Chapel, according to a company spokesperson. Since then, Couche-Tard has opened two more — a second in Wesley Chapel last year and another alongside a new Circle K in Parrish earlier this year. A fourth in the state is under development in Riverview.
In March, Clean Freak also opened its first site in Minnesota, across from a Holiday Station store in Brooklyn Park.
QuikTrip plans car washes in St. Louis
QuikTrip plans to expand its car wash program into the St. Louis area, according to documents filed with the St. Louis County Planning Commission.
QuikTrip acquired the Bubble Bath car wash company in 2023 and is now growing that company’s footprint, Erik Eckhart, real estate manager with QuikTrip, told the St. Louis County planning commission in February. The Texas-based car wash company currently has 17 locations, all of which are located in the Lone Star State.
“We’re looking to expand across multiple states where we operate currently,” Eckhart told the commission. “This location will be the first in the St. Louis market.”
The site is expected to have a 120-foot automatic car wash tunnel, along with 26 vacuum stalls and three payment lanes, according to the filing.
Fresh Stop seeks to double car wash count
Madison Capital Group, parent company of Fresh Stop convenience stores and Links Car Washes, is seeking to raise $200 million from investors to grow the footprint of both businesses.
Ryan Hanks, CEO of Madison Capital Group, said in a statement to C-Store Dive that the money is expected to help build 20 to 30 car washes and a similar number of convenience stores.
Links already has locations operating in Florida, Texas and the Carolinas, with more sites set to open soon in all three areas.
As high prices and global uncertainty continue to weigh on the convenience retail industry, Hanks said the company sees c-stores and car washes as “compelling essential service businesses with consistent consumer demand, multiple revenue streams and potential tax efficiency.”
