Franchise Equity Partners Acquires IMO Car Wash from Driven Brands in Major Deal

Franchise Equity Partners Acquires IMO Car Wash

In a landmark move, Franchise Equity Partners, LP (FEP), a private investment firm focused on forming long-lasting partnerships, has announced its acquisition of IMO Car Wash from Driven Brands (NASDAQ: DRVN). This acquisition marks FEP's first venture outside of the United States and involves IMO's substantial network of 720 automated car wash locations primarily in the UK and Germany, as well as in nine additional European nations and Australia.

Founded over 60 years ago, IMO Car Wash has become one of the most recognized and trusted car wash brands worldwide. The company serves millions of customers each year with its efficient, high-volume service model. IMO's operational prowess is complemented by a management team with deep expertise in car wash operations.

Scott Romanoff, Co-Managing Partner at FEP, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "We believe IMO represents a rare opportunity to acquire a leading market brand known for its long-standing tradition and defendable market position. Our goal is to help optimize and enhance the performance of the existing portfolio. With an established customer base, retail partnerships, and experienced management, we foresee significant opportunities for organic growth and brand strengthening."

Mike Esposito, also Co-Managing Partner at FEP, added, "This investment in IMO is our first transaction outside of the U.S., and it lays the groundwork for expanding our retail presence from the United States to the UK, Europe, and beyond."

Under FEP’s guidance, IMO is set to focus on increasing wash volume, enhancing customer experience, and leveraging strategic retail partnerships. The company has built strong relationships with retailers in the UK and EU, utilizing on-site car washes to drive foot traffic for both IMO and its retail partners.

Adam Green, President of IMO Car Wash, remarked on this significant milestone, emphasizing that FEP understands both the tradition and potential of the brand. "Their long-term approach, commitment to operational excellence, and extensive experience with multi-unit business models make them the ideal partner as we aim to unlock greater value from our existing network. We are excited to collaborate with FEP to strengthen our market position and continue serving our customers effectively."

This acquisition aligns with FEP's strategy to partner with leading operators in resilient sectors where size, brand recognition, and operational efficiency create sustainable competitive advantages.

For more information on Franchise Equity Partners, visit FEP’s official website.

About Franchise Equity Partners

Franchise Equity Partners is a private investment firm specializing in providing capital to franchise businesses and their owners. FEP’s differentiated approach combines extensive corporate finance and operational expertise with an initial target portfolio size of $1 billion to enable growth, simplify ownership, succession planning, and strategic business opportunities. To learn more, visit www.fep-us.com or follow FEP on LinkedIn.