ZIPS Car Wash Honors Veterans with Free Washes, Donates $170K to Folds of Honor

ZIPS Car Wash Honors Veterans with Free Washes and $170,000 Donation to Folds of Honor

In a heartfelt tribute to America’s veterans and their families, ZIPS Car Wash joined forces with the Frisco, Texas Police Department to host a flag-raising ceremony at its El Dorado Parkway location. The event marked a milestone in ZIPS’ ongoing support for the Folds of Honor Foundation, as the company announced a record-breaking $170,000 donation for 2025 — funds that will provide academic scholarships to families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders.

Following the ceremony, ZIPS reaffirmed its dedication to America’s heroes with a special Veterans Day gesture: a free top-tier car wash for all veterans and active-duty military personnel at more than 215 ZIPS, Jet Brite, and Rocket Express Car Wash locations nationwide.

A Flag Raised for Heroes

The Frisco event carried a sense of pride and gratitude as local officers, community members, and ZIPS employees gathered under the morning sun to watch the American flag rise. The ceremony symbolized more than just patriotism—it represented a collective commitment to supporting those who have sacrificed for the nation.

As the flag reached full mast, representatives from ZIPS presented the $170,000 check to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding educational scholarships for the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled heroes.

Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, praised ZIPS and its customers for their generosity:

We are so grateful to ZIPS Car Wash and its patriotic patrons for supporting our deserving recipients,” said Rooney. “The round-up program shattered previous records, demonstrating the company’s and its customers’ deep commitment to educating the families of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. This selfless generosity will make a life-changing difference.

Recognizing Families Who Serve

As part of the celebration, ZIPS honored two Folds of Honor scholarship recipients—Annabelle and Abigail Richardson—along with their father, U.S. Army National Guard member William Leroy Hansen. Their presence served as a living reminder of the mission’s impact, putting faces to the thousands of families whose lives are transformed through educational opportunities made possible by donations like ZIPS’.

Throughout 2025, ZIPS has hosted dozens of similar ceremonies across the country, celebrating military and first responder families while unveiling 35 remodeled car wash locations. Each reopening featured ribbon-cutting events recognizing local Folds of Honor families and reaffirming the company’s nationwide commitment to giving back.

Patriotism in Action: ZIPS’ “Patriot Weekend”

The company’s donation milestone was largely fueled by ZIPS’ Patriot Weekend, a four-day fundraising effort held from September 11–14 across all its locations. During the event, a portion of every car wash purchase was directed to Folds of Honor.

ZIPS CEO Pete Nani emphasized that the initiative is about more than corporate social responsibility—it’s about honoring a national legacy.

Honoring our military and their sacrifice has always been a priority for us,” said Nani. “Supporting academic scholarships and giving a free car wash on Veterans Day are small ways we can show our appreciation. We exceeded our own expectations this year through Patriot Weekend and our reopening celebrations. Together, we’re proud to give $170,000 to support academic success for military and first responder families.

A Tradition of Service and Support

ZIPS’ partnership with Folds of Honor spans multiple years and continues to grow stronger. The company encourages customers to participate year-round through donation programs, promotional events, and community ceremonies. Every dollar raised helps fund life-changing scholarships, turning routine car washes into opportunities to uplift American families.

This year’s contribution pushes ZIPS’ total giving to new heights, reflecting not just financial generosity but also a deep cultural commitment embedded in the company’s identity.

Free Washes for Veterans Nationwide

In keeping with its mission to honor those who serve, ZIPS Car Wash will offer free top-tier washes to all veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11. Participants can redeem their free wash by entering code “VETS” at checkout at any ZIPS Car Wash, Jet Brite Car Wash, or Rocket Express Car Wash location across the United States.

This gesture of gratitude, while simple, reflects the company’s belief that appreciation should be both visible and tangible. For many veterans, it’s a moment of recognition from a brand that understands the power of community and the importance of service.

A Lasting Partnership

ZIPS’ collaboration with Folds of Honor represents a growing movement among businesses to align philanthropy with purpose. By connecting everyday consumer choices—like getting a car wash—to a mission that changes lives, ZIPS bridges the gap between commerce and compassion.

As Lt. Col. Rooney noted during the ceremony, the ripple effect of such partnerships extends far beyond a single donation. Each scholarship recipient represents a future leader, teacher, engineer, or innovator empowered through education—an enduring legacy of gratitude that honors the sacrifices of those who protect the nation.

A Shared Mission of Gratitude

As the American flag waved high over Frisco, the symbolism was clear: this wasn’t just a corporate event—it was a celebration of unity, service, and shared purpose. For ZIPS, giving back isn’t a marketing campaign; it’s a reflection of what the brand stands for.

By raising $170,000 for Folds of Honor and offering free washes to veterans, ZIPS Car Wash continues to prove that patriotism can be expressed through action—one wash, one scholarship, and one grateful community at a time.

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. To learn more visit www.zipscarwash.com.

About Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 62,000 scholarships totaling about $290 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. A total of 91 percent of expenses fund our mission of providing educational scholarships to the families of our nation’s heroes. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. 

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