Remember 1991? The Silence of the Lambs and Beauty and the Beast topped the box office, while Dances with Wolves won Best Picture of the Year. Gas cost $1.12 per gallon, and the average monthly rent was only $495.00. The internet was made unrestricted, and the number of users reached one million! And very important to the Mark Brooks family of Carrollton, Big Daddy Car Wash opened to serve customers. Thirty years later they are making some adjustments, as growing businesses must, to accommodate changing realities.
The first major adjustment came in 2016, when the family infused an additional $500,000 into their property to keep up with the anticipated changes in the market. “Our biggest challenge was finding quality and dependable employees, so we knew we had to make some changes,” Brooks said.
In 2020 they are dealing, as we all are, with the Covid-19 Pandemic. Mark continued, “The Pandemic has forced us to suspend our Full-Service options. We have moved to the Express Car Wash only, offering customers the free use of vacuums to spruce up the inside as well. This is a permanent change for our business as we don’t plan on offering Full Service in the future.”
They have also been changing oil for 25 years and are excited to now offer “drive-thru” service, allowing customers to remain in their cars during the entire oil change process. The feedback from customers has been outstanding. No appointment is necessary, prices start at $39.95, and customers get a $5.00 off coupon for any car wash package they choose. “Mark Boleman, our lube manager, has worked for us for more than 17 years, with a total of 25 years’ experience in the field,” Mark Brooks said.
The most beneficial change, he says, is the addition of Unlimited Car Wash Clubs. They start as low as $24.95/month and allow the customer to wash their vehicle as often as once per day (if needed) for the entire month. Packages may include Polish Wax, Sealer Wax, RainX and Tire Shine.
Mark gives much of the credit of the success of their business to Manager Marsha Bradley, who has been with the company for 11 years. Her warm personality, caring attitude, and professionalism endear her to the customers and staff alike.
Mark thanks everyone for supporting their business for 30 years and looks forward to many more years of serving his community.
To see the full length video of Big Daddy Car Wash and Oil Change from 30 years ago, click here
