Chip Burton
Owner
Top Shelf
Car Wash
Deltona And Titusville, Florida
Q: Tell us about your business.
A: Top Shelf Car Wash has flex serve locations in East Central Florida. These locations were built and are operated on 30 years of experience in the car care industry and provide the most professional, enjoyable, complete vehicle cleaning experience available today.
Q: How did you get into the car wash business?
A: While developing real estate in the Orlando market in the mid-80s, I recognized a distinct lack of professional car washes in that metro area. I traveled to Texas and California visiting successful locations and returned to plan and build Shiner’s Car Wash. Shiner’s grew to five locations through the 90s and was sold in 2005-06. After a little break, I drew on that experience to develop the Top Shelf brand beginning in 2009.
Q: What do you love about the car wash industry?
A: Two things stand out. I love the excitement of planning and building new locations and watching them come to life and grow within their market – attracting and serving thousands of satisfied, loyal customers.
Second, I would not have had the success in this industry without the amazingly generous sharing of experience and ideas by the many, many friends I have made in the car wash business. There are so many passionate car wash operators who love this industry, and I am so proud to be one as well.
Q: What innovations are you most interested in bringing to car washes?
A: Always interested in getting a cleaner, drier vehicle with minimum labor cost.
We also always strive to design facilities that provide our customer with the most comfortable, enjoyable experience possible.
Q: What’s your advice for successful hiring?
A: Provide a safe, attractive workplace, and encourage your stronger associates to recommend your business to their friends as a great place to work.
Q: What’s your secret to excellent customer service?
A: We have a “Top Shelf” attitude. Our DNA is to consistently train our associates to deliver a highly professional, respectful service to our customers. They pay the bills!
Additionally, our facilities are maintained at the highest level every hour of every day.
