Over the past few years, the car wash industry has become something of a Wall Street darling. Combining relatively low operating costs and minimal labor with recurring streams of revenue, they have become popular investments for private equity firms as well as net lease investors. With many legacy operators looking for a way to cash out, and investors looking to cash in, there has been a tremendous amount of deal flow in this industry of late.
MMM’s multi-disciplinary car wash team represents many of the largest, fastest-growing car wash companies across the U.S. as well as private equity companies investing in car wash businesses. Our team understands the complexities involved and is well-equipped to address the specific legal challenges that arise for owners and operators in this space. We help our clients navigate the intricate legal landscape of the car wash industry, whether it’s assisting with acquisitions, dispositions, financing, ground leasing, and development, advising on regulatory compliance, managing commercial vendor agreements, handing intellectual property-related issues and employment matters, or resolving disputes, our seasoned team of legal professionals is dedicated to supporting car wash businesses every step of the way. In addition, we regularly work alongside some of the nation’s largest REITs in connection with nuanced sale-leaseback structured transactions.
In addition to working with large REITs, owners, operators, and private equity funds, we take great pride in our extensive experience working with small business owners and developers in the car wash industry. We understand that the market is currently undergoing consolidation, resulting in numerous challenges with sellers. Our team is well-versed in navigating such scenarios and has a proven track record of achieving positive results for our clients with tact and professionalism.
Ways We Can Help
- Acquisitions and Dispositions (both business and real estate)
- Commercial Vendor and Supplier Agreements
- Succession Planning
- Disputes
- Employment Matters
- Environmental Issues
- Financing
- Ground Leasing
- Intellectual Property and Branding
- Regulatory Compliance
- Sweepstakes / Giveaway Programs
- Tax Matters
- Land Use Issues
Representative Matters
- Represented car wash operator in acquiring a 12-site portfolio of operating washes across the Southeast.
- Represented one of the ten largest car wash companies in the country in connection with acquisition, development, and financing of new sites, taking the company from 12 to 92 operating sites over 24 months throughout the Southeast.
- Represented a premium conveyor car wash operator in the acquisition of sixteen locations across four separate transactions in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
- Represented car wash company in connection with 16-site acquisition and sale lease-back to a publicly traded REIT.
- Provided environmental advice in connection with acquisition and development of former gas station property with ongoing petroleum release.
- Provided compliance/regulatory advice regarding pre-treatment standards applicable to operating car washes.
- Counseled car wash operator through a national rebranding.
- Provided intellectual property advice to car wash operator regarding trademark selection and clearance, successfully guiding them through the process of prosecuting trademark applications. through to registration before the US Patent and Trademark Office.
- Represented car wash company in connection with employee complaints filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Represented car wash company in connection with employee wage and hour issues.
- Represented car wash company with respect to internal employee complaints and investigations.
- Advised car wash operator in connection with the launch of a recurring promotional sweepstakes.
