Car wash owners Mike and Katie Opitz of Washington state make waves and satisfy customers by focusing on customer service, employees, and the environment.

“We’re not just any old car wash,” the retired Army lieutenant colonel said. “We want to take care of our customers, and we want to take care of our employees, too.” [more...]

Katie Opitz says she rewards employees for dedication by getting them gym memberships. In addition to taking good care of employees and customers, the Optizes also purchase their car wash soap from a Portland chemical dealer, Kaady Chemicals, who sells only biodegradable soaps. Though using biodegradable soaps ultimately means that the Opitz’s cost per wash is higher than many carwashes, they also can attract environmentally sensitive customers. By using recycled water in the prerinse cycles, the Wave Car Wash, conserves water as well. Katie Opitz is quick to point out that their car wash is more enviromentally sensitive than washing by hand because of the amount of water it saves.

Due to the success of their car wash, the Opitzes hope to eventually own five more carwashes.

Though their website is not up and running yet, it will eventually be found at: http://www.wavewash.com/