International Carwash Association (ICA) President and Benny’s Car Wash co-owner Justin Alford. Alford spoke at the Car Wash Operators of New Jersey’s (CWONJ) Fall Membership Meeting.
It was an honor to have Justin come to New Jersey and share his family’s incredible and successful car washing story,” said CWONJ President Dino Nicoletta.
Before the annual membership meeting, Alford visited some washes in the state. “What a great day,” said Alford. “We were able to visit so many really interesting washes and spend time with some of my car wash friends old and new,” he said. “What a great group of operators.”
Alford, whose grandfather started in the industry in 1951, owns nine Benny’s car washes in the Baton Rouge, LA, market with his father Ben and brother Jason. They run successful conveyor locations with full service, express, oil changes, gas, detail, and c-stores. Benny’s and Innovative Control Systems (ICS), Bethlehem, PA, the event’s hors d’oeuvre sponsor, were instrumental in launching the first express car wash in the US in 2001.
Alford shared his company’s growth and evolution and educated the group on all things Baton Rouge complete with Mardi Gras beads that featured the wash’s mascot. “What a great meeting,” added Nicoletta. “Justin is a true professional and a really outstanding guy.”
During the meeting Princeton Public Affairs Group (PPAG) lobbyist Sam Weinstein updated attendees on the two-year efforts to push legislation through the state that would deem carwashes “essential” if COVID or another similar epidemic shuts down businesses. “Sam and the team at PPAG are pushing hard on our behalf and with a little more effort we hope to get to the finish line,” said Nicoletta.