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Autobell is Growing
by Thomas A. Mussoni, CCIM Last month Autobell Car Wash opened its 62th car wash with a new location in Mooresville, NC. Two more are soon to open in Virginia. With that addition, Autobell will have opened 13 car washes since 2008, a 25% growth rate, during the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. Charlotte-based Autobell Car Wash Inc. is generally considered amongst both industry peers and customers to be the Disney or Chick-Fil-A of the car wash industry, a leader and trailblazer that sets and maintains the highest standards for its field. Autobell leads this field with regard to employee training and growth; customer service; civic duty; and environmental conscientiousness. From recruiting and training procedures; to customer impressions and experience; environmental and conservation efforts; community relations and charitable activities; and employee scholarships and promotions from within, Autobell is among the most progressive companies in its industry. Here are a few facts and figures about Autobell: Autobell was founded in Charlotte, NC, in 1969 by the late Charles Howard. It is now owned by Charles' son Chuck and operated by him and his three children. They washed nearly 3 million cars in 2009 and have washed over 33 million since 1969. Autobell is one of America's largest (currently #3) and fastest growing car wash companies with 60 stores spread throughout 27 North Carolina, 2 South Carolina, 5 Georgia, and 4 Virginia municipalities. The company has never closed or sold an Autobell and continually has new washes under construction or in development. Autobell has Thomas Mussoni, CCIM (Charlotte East to MD) and Trevor Hopkins (Charlotte West to Georgia) on staff to handle site selection and real estate development. The company has two in-house, full-time professional recruiters who scour the markets in search of the best and brightest employees. Autobell has an in-house, full-time OSHA compliance coordinator. The company has an in-house, full-time professional management trainer who is a former high school teacher, assistant principal and Autobell manager. Autobell has stringent hiring guidelines, strict uniform policies, and is a drug-free workplace that pre-screens all employees and randomly tests managers. The company has received 12 awards from media, municipalities, utilities, business and environmental groups since 2000 for their environmental, civic, and charitable efforts -- including recycling and on-site usage procedures, as well as off-site volunteer clean-up programs. Since 1998, Autobell has raised over $4 million for non-profit organizations via its extremely popular and environmentally friendly Charity Car Wash Program. Since 2000, Autobell has awarded over 400 scholarships totaling well into six figures to deserving employees. In November 2008, Autobell received the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Charlotte Chapter. Autobell won this prestigious award over such local philanthropic stalwarts as Bank of America, SPX, Crosland, and USAirways. These are a few of the things that keep Autobell at the pinnacle of the car wash industry and the International Carwash Association, which frequently honors the company and its principals for their endeavors. I encourage you to keep an eye on this company as it continues to grow and keep Autobell in mind for possible stories and as a valuable resource in the industry. For further information, please visit www.Autobell.com and know that I am always available to answer any questions or review any potential sites. Thank you.
Thomas A. Mussoni, CCIM
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