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Carnett's in the news! Take some time to read through press coverage of Carnett's Car Washes, its people and the company's public efforts.
Wash owner looks to clean up
By Eddie Stowe
Gainesville Times
June 4, 2005
Pat McCabe, managing partner of a $2.5 million car wash under construction in Gainesville, wants to offer something different to customers who get their cars cleaned at his new McEver Road business.
So, while customers are waiting, McCabe plans to provide free shuttle service to and from nearby stores and restaurants.
"There are several major stores just up the road from our location, which will be next door to Sherwin Williams paint store," he said. "If our customers want to go have lunch or shop at the Village Shoppes of Gainesville, we will take them there and go back and pick them up."
Carnett's Car Washes will offer most full-service vehicle washes in less than 15 minutes, but customers who want other services may have a longer wait and can spend that time visiting nearby shopping centers.
The new car wash will have self-service, full-service, buff and shine, oil changes, vacuum service and full-detailed car service at the 1.7 acre facility.
Opening is scheduled for mid- to late-August, and McCabe said the buildings are modular in construction, being built offsite and transported to the McEver Road location.
The facility will have a large lobby and waiting area, three bay areas for oil changes, four bays for buff and shine and a 100-foot long tunnel where the car washing will take place. The tunnel can handle as many as 100 cars an hour, McCabe added.
The vacuum stations will provide self-service and there will be two lanes for cars to enter and leave the location, he said.
Customers can get $4 express washes with free vacuums, as well as more costly full-detailed services.
The business also has a commitment to the environment, with 95 percent of all water used recycled. This will allow the company to wash a car with about nine gallons of water compared to what a customer might use at home, which typically is about 150 gallons, McCabe said.
"It has been scientifically proven that a Carnett's Car Washes is safer for your car than washing it at home," McCabe said. "That's because when you hand wash you put more pressure on the wash cloth than the car wash does resulting in less paint damage," he said.
McCabe has more than 20 years of business experience and knows the importance of customer service, so the car wash will work to maintain the reputation of 14 other locations in neighboring Gwinnett County. "These locations have received a vote of 'The Best of Gwinnett,' and we will work to provide superior service to our Hall County customers as well," he said.
The Braselton resident is majority owner of the car wash, while his partner, Barrow County orthopedic surgeon Rhett Rainey, owns 40 percent.
Bruce Arnett Sr., chief executive officer of Carnett's, is the franchiser and has the 14 locations in the Atlanta area. He is a member of the International Car Wash Association Board and has the 20th largest car wash chain in the United States.
McCabe said the Gainesville location would have 30 to 50 employees, "and our commitment to our employees is with a vision that every associate is a key member of the Carnett's family," he said.
