Franchise Equity Partners to Acquire IMO Car Wash from Driven Brands

Core Insights - Franchise Equity Partners (FEP) has announced its first international acquisition by purchasing IMO Car Wash, the largest tunnel car wash operator globally, which has 720 locations primarily in the UK and Germany [1][2]. Company Overview - IMO Car Wash has been in operation for 60 years and is recognized as a trusted car wash brand, serving millions of customers annually through a high-volume model [2]. - The company boasts a diversified operational footprint and is supported by a management team with extensive experience in the car wash industry [2]. Strategic Goals - FEP views the acquisition of IMO as a unique opportunity to acquire a market-leading brand with a strong operational team and a defensible market position [3]. - The firm aims to optimize and enhance performance across IMO's existing portfolio, leveraging its established customer base and retail partnerships to drive organic growth [3][4]. - Under FEP's ownership, IMO plans to focus on increasing wash volumes, improving customer experience, and enhancing strategic retail partnerships [3]. Market Positioning - The acquisition aligns with FEP's strategy of partnering with leading operators in resilient industries, where scale, brand recognition, and operational efficiency provide sustainable competitive advantages [4].