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The Economics of Everyday Things

21. Car Washes

The Economics of Everyday Things

Freakonomics Network

Business

4.81.2K Ratings

🗓️ 16 October 2023

⏱️ 17 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the hood.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hey everyone, it's Zachary.

0:05.0

Before we start, I just want to share some big news with you.

0:11.0

We've launched a membership program. It's called Freakonomics Radio Plus. As a member,

0:17.0

you'll get exclusive member-only episodes of Freakonomics Radio every Friday.

0:22.8

Plus, you'll get ad-free versions of every show

0:26.4

in the Freakonomics Radio Network,

0:28.3

including the Economics of Everyday Things.

0:31.8

If you don't sign up, you'll still get every regular Freakonomics

0:35.2

radio episode each week, just as you always have. But we really hope you'll consider becoming

0:41.0

a member to help support the work you love. To sign up for Freakonomics

0:45.5

Radio Plus, visit the show page for the Economics of Everyday Things on Apple Podcasts or go to Freakonomics.com slash plus. Thanks for listening.

0:57.0

In the TV drama Breaking Bad, Walter White is a high school chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin.

1:10.0

And he needs a business to launder his drug money, something that won't attract

1:15.2

attention but still brings in large amounts of cash every day. He considers a

1:21.2

laser tag facility, a nail salon, but ultimately he and his wife Skyler

1:27.4

settle on the most boring enterprise they can find.

1:31.4

You want to buy my car wash? I do and I am prepared to talk

1:35.3

numbers right now if you'd like. You think this is an easy job? You are willing to

1:41.8

get down on your hands and knees and scrub like a housemaid with all the chemicals eating into your nice skin and stinging in your eyes.

1:53.0

There's nothing glamorous about a car wash.

1:56.0

Their scene is outdated and labor intensive.

1:59.0

Customers worry about scratchy bristles and harsh detergents. But folks in the industry

...

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