ZIPS Car Wash Recognized as the Leading Car Wash for Customer Service in the U.S.
ZIPS Car Wash has once again claimed the spotlight for exceptional guest care, earning the #1 spot in Newsweek’s “America’s Best Customer Service” ranking in the car wash category. This latest recognition marks the third consecutive year that ZIPS has appeared in Newsweek’s prestigious “America’s Best Customer Service” awards, underscoring the brand’s consistency in delivering a superior customer experience. Adding to the achievement, ZIPS was also named the #3 car wash nationally in Newsweek’s 2026 “America’s Best of the Best” rankings, placing it firmly among the top-performing brands in its industry.
For ZIPS leadership, these honors are more than just rankings; they are a validation of a long-term commitment to people and service. “We are extremely proud to be recognized for our customer service for the third consecutive year,” said Pete Nani, Chief Executive Officer, ZIPS Car Wash. He emphasized that these wins are powered by the team behind the brand. “We know these achievements are thanks to each team member contributing their expertise to our brand, and we sincerely thank them for their dedication and hard work. We’re a people development company that happens to wash cars and we’re thrilled to see how the investment we’re making back into our team is making a difference for our customers across the country,” he added.
What Newsweek’s Ranking Represents
Newsweek’s “America’s Best Customer Service” program is not a casual popularity poll. The ranking is based on over 200,000 customer evaluations, making it one of the more robust customer sentiment indicators in the market. The data is collected through an independent survey conducted among individuals who, within the past three years, have:
- Made a purchase from a brand,
- Used its services, or
- Conducted research on its products or offerings.
These respondents are asked a series of detailed questions that evaluate multiple aspects of the customer journey, such as:
- Ease of use and accessibility,
- Quality and reliability of service,
- Communication and responsiveness,
- Professionalism and friendliness of staff, and
- Likelihood of recommending the brand to others.
Brands are grouped and evaluated across 166 categories, covering a wide range of industries—from apparel and bookstores to healthcare and food chains. In the same rankings where ZIPS is honored, other recognized companies include well-known names such as Advance Auto Parts, Aflac, Cabela’s, Lululemon Athletica, and Old Navy. Being listed alongside these national leaders positions ZIPS as part of a high-performing group of customer-focused brands.
The fact that ZIPS appears not only in the “Best Customer Service” list but also in the “America’s Best of the Best” 2026 rankings highlights the company’s broader performance. While the customer service recognition reflects how guests feel about their experiences at ZIPS locations, the “Best of the Best” ranking points to the brand’s overall strength, reputation, and value in the marketplace.
From Two Sites in Arkansas to a 200+ Location Network
The ZIPS story began modestly in 2004, with just two car wash locations in rural Arkansas. From those small-town beginnings, the brand has steadily grown into one of the largest express car wash operators in the United States. Today, ZIPS operates more than 200 locations across 20 states, serving a wide mix of communities—from busy suburban corridors and college towns to smaller regional markets.
Over its more than 20-year history, ZIPS has focused on more than just expansion. The company has invested heavily in:
- Modernizing its wash tunnels,
- Enhancing equipment reliability and uptime,
- Improving site layouts for smoother traffic flow, and
- Expanding digital and membership options, helping customers get a quick, consistent experience.
This long-term approach has helped ZIPS build a loyal guest base that values speed, convenience, and friendly service, and it has laid the foundation for recognition in national rankings like Newsweek’s.
Investing Back Into Communities and Locations
One of the pillars behind ZIPS’ customer satisfaction performance is its ongoing reinvestment into existing sites. Over the last two years, the company has renovated and remodeled 65 locations across the country, a significant capital and operational effort. These renovation projects typically focus on:
- Upgrading wash technology and equipment for better, more consistent results,
- Enhancing the look and feel of the property with refreshed branding, signage, and landscaping,
- Improving lighting, traffic flow, and vacuum areas to create safer, more welcoming environments, and
- Streamlining site layouts to handle high volumes, especially during peak hours and promotional events.
By reinvesting in locations rather than simply adding new ones, ZIPS signals to customers that their local wash is not being left behind. Instead, it is being improved with newer features, better reliability, and a more pleasant overall experience.
This emphasis on reinvestment also reflects the brand’s commitment to the communities it has served for over two decades. Rather than viewing each location solely as a transaction point, ZIPS treats each site as a community touchpoint—where local teams interact daily with neighbors, businesses, schools, and organizations.
Celebrating Local Milestones With the Community
The company’s community-first approach was on full display during the final renovation celebrations of 2025. ZIPS team members marked the completion of renovation projects at several locations with local events designed to both thank customers and introduce them to the refreshed facilities.
Recently, celebrations were held at remodeled locations in:
- Plainview, Texas,
- Roswell, New Mexico, and
- Clovis, New Mexico.
These events went beyond just cutting a ribbon and moving on. ZIPS organized:
- Free car washes for customers, giving them a chance to experience the upgraded wash first-hand,
- Special events with local Chambers of Commerce, highlighting the connection between ZIPS and the local business community, and
- Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies attended by local leaders, partners, and ZIPS team members.
By combining physical improvements with community-focused celebrations, ZIPS turns a construction project into a relationship-building opportunity. Customers experience tangible benefits—a refreshed site and a better wash—while also seeing the brand’s involvement and investment in their town.
A People Development Company That Happens to Wash Cars
Perhaps the most telling part of ZIPS’ culture is how it describes itself. CEO Pete Nani refers to ZIPS as “a people development company that happens to wash cars.” This mindset reveals how the organization thinks about its role, not only in the car wash industry but also in the lives of its employees and communities.
This philosophy translates into:
- Training and development programs aimed at helping team members grow their skills, whether they stay in the car wash industry or move on to other careers,
- Clear pathways for advancement within the company, giving frontline employees opportunities to take on leadership roles,
- A strong focus on service standards, so every team member knows how to deliver the kind of experience that leads to national customer service recognition, and
- A culture of appreciation, where achievements like the Newsweek awards are explicitly tied back to the effort and dedication of employees.
By viewing its workforce as the core of its value proposition, ZIPS effectively aligns internal culture with external performance. Happy, well-trained team members are more likely to deliver friendly, attentive, and consistent service—exactly the qualities that Newsweek’s survey respondents reward.
Why These Recognitions Matter
For customers, these rankings serve as a trusted external benchmark. When they see ZIPS named #1 in customer service and ranked among the top three car wash brands in the country, they have additional confidence that:
- The brand is committed to quality across its network,
- Customer feedback is being heard and acted upon, and
- Service standards are being measured against national leaders, not just local competitors.
For ZIPS, the recognition functions as both a celebration and a challenge. It validates the investments made in team members, renovations, and operations, but it also raises expectations. Maintaining a #1 position in customer service and remaining near the top of national rankings requires ongoing effort, innovation, and focus.
About ZIPS Car Wash
ZIPS Car Wash, headquartered in Plano, Texas, is a privately held car wash operator, with over 200 locations across 20 states under three brands: ZIPS Car Wash, Rocket Express Car Wash, and Jet Brite Car Wash. With 20 years of car washing experience, ZIPS prides itself on providing the highest quality express tunnel car wash in the industry. ZIPS uses the latest industry technology to provide a clean, dry, and shiny vehicle, exceptional customer experiences and value through loyalty rewards in the innovative ZIPS Car Wash mobile app. The ZIPS team aims to positively impact the communities we live and serve in through key partnerships with schools, military non-profit organizations and community leaders.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
