Anthony Warren
Founder & CEO · Wash Launch Group · Charlotte, NC
Background
Anthony Warren is the founder and CEO of Wash Launch Group. He came up through the operations side of the car wash industry, Autobell, Sam's Xpress, and Fins Car Wash (the express car wash subsidiary of AAA Carolinas, later sold to Whistle Express). He spent 2021–2024 leading development at Sam's Xpress, then served as Chief Development Officer at Links Car Wash, where he ran a 40+ location pipeline executing on the company's strategy of 50 new sites annually.
Across his career, Anthony has been involved in 60+ site deliveries and $200M+ in closed transactions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Areas of expertise
- Car wash development
- Express tunnel car wash projects
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Site selection and underwriting
- Operations consulting
- Equipment specification
- OPW/Belanger tunnel systems
- Trident chemistry
- ICS point-of-sale systems
- Membership program economics
- Pro forma modeling
- Construction project management
Career history
- 2026–Founder & CEO, Wash Launch Group (Charlotte, NC)
- 2024–25Chief Development Officer, Links Car Wash (40+ location pipeline executing on 50 new sites annually)
- 2021–24Development leadership, Sam's Xpress Car Wash
- EarlierOperations roles at Autobell, Sam's Xpress, and Fins Car Wash (express car wash subsidiary of AAA Carolinas, later sold to Whistle Express)
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Articles and insights authored by Anthony Warren
- 9 min read · 2026-05-26
The 8 Non-Negotiables of Car Wash Site Selection in 2026
Eight variables that decide whether a car wash site succeeds, in order of how much they actually move the needle. Built from 60+ developed sites and standard industry benchmarking.
- 12 min read · 2026-05-26
How to Underwrite a Car Wash Acquisition in 2026: An IC-Grade Framework
Six numbers that decide whether a deal works, five red flags that should make you walk, and the IC memo structure we use on every transaction. Anchored to current 2025-26 market comparables including the publicly announced Whistle Express acquisition of Take 5, Mister Car Wash's announced take-private, and the ZIPS Chapter 11 filing.
- 11 min read · 2026-05-26
What a Realistic Greenfield Car Wash Pro Forma Actually Looks Like in 2026
Year 1 through Year 5 numbers, realistic ramp curves, cost structure, and returns for express tunnel car wash development in 2026. Built from public operator disclosures, industry benchmarking, and our team's operating data across 60+ developed sites.
- 13 min read · 2026-05-26
Choosing Tunnel Equipment in 2026: An Operator's Honest Take on OPW/Belanger, Trident, and ICS
An operator's comparison of the OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions family (PDQ, Belanger, ICS), Trident Wash Systems, and the rest of the 2026 express tunnel equipment market. Includes disclosure of our distribution relationships.
- 12 min read · 2026-05-26
Car Wash Membership Economics in 2026: The Math That Actually Matters
Penetration, ARPM, churn, lifetime value, acquisition cost, and the pay station conversion funnel that decide whether a car wash membership program works. Built from Mister Car Wash public disclosures, Rinsed industry benchmarks, and ICA reports.
Industry press & podcast appearances
S2E5: Interview with Joe Teague and Anthony Warren
Talk to Anthony directly
Every engagement at Wash Launch Group is led by Anthony personally. The first conversation is free.