Question 1

What is the NDA process and why is it required?

Accepted Answer

Before we release any financial detail on a listing, we ask prospective buyers to sign a non-disclosure agreement. The NDA is a downloadable printable document you review and return. It protects the seller's confidential information, including revenue, customer data, and staff details, and it allows us to share the deal sheet with qualified buyers only.

Question 2

How do you protect confidentiality during a sale?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is the foundation of every engagement. We do not list business names publicly, we qualify buyers before sharing financials, and we coordinate site visits outside of operating hours when needed. Staff and customers are typically unaware a sale is in progress until after closing.

Question 3

What financing options are available for buyers?

Accepted Answer

Buyers commonly use a combination of SBA 7(a) loans, conventional bank financing, seller notes, and private equity. We work with your lender to provide the documentation they need and can introduce lenders familiar with car wash transactions. We do not provide financing directly and do not offer an in-house calculator, but we are happy to discuss typical structures.

Question 4

What does due diligence typically involve?

Accepted Answer

Due diligence usually covers financial review (tax returns, P&L, POS reports), equipment condition, environmental review, lease and real estate review, and staff structure. We coordinate the process and help you assemble the right specialists. Most diligence windows run two to four weeks for a single site and longer for multi-location portfolios.

Question 5

How long does a typical transaction take?

Accepted Answer

A single-site sale often closes in 60 to 120 days from listing. Multi-location portfolios and private equity platform deals can take four to nine months depending on scope, financing, and environmental review. We set a timeline at the start of every engagement and keep closings on schedule through proactive coordination.

Question 6

How do you value a car wash?

Accepted Answer

We value car washes using a combination of trailing twelve-month cash flow, EBITDA multiples, asset value, real estate value, and volume trends. We adjust for one-time expenses and seasonality. Our valuations are grounded in four decades of closed transactions across the Southwest.

Question 7

What are the engagement terms for expert witness work?

Accepted Answer

We engage through a written agreement that defines scope, hourly rate, estimated hours, and deliverables. We typically require a retainer before work begins. The engagement letter outlines confidentiality, billing cadence, and the conditions under which the engagement can be terminated by either party.

Question 8

Is a retainer required and how is it applied?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a retainer is required before any expert work begins. The retainer is held against billings and replenished as drawn down. Unused retainer balances are returned at the conclusion of the engagement. We provide monthly billing statements showing hours, tasks, and remaining retainer.

Question 9

What scope of work do you cover as an expert witness?

Accepted Answer

We provide expert opinions on car wash valuation, deal structure, industry custom and practice, due diligence standards, and operational matters. We do not opine on legal questions, which remain the province of counsel. Scope is defined in the engagement letter and revised only by written agreement.

Question 10

What is your conflict of interest policy?

Accepted Answer

We screen every engagement for conflicts before accepting. If we have advised either party on a related transaction, or if a current or recent client relationship creates a conflict, we decline the engagement or disclose the conflict in writing. We do not work both sides of a dispute and we will not accept an engagement that compromises a prior client's confidentiality.

Answers for Buyers, Sellers, and Counsel

Buying or Selling a Car Wash

Expert Witness Engagements

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