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Re:Why Are There Suddenly So Many Car Washes? by speakfreely on Sunday March 17, 2024 @11:53PM (#39740383)
The answer is private equity "roll-up" strategies of "boring businesses". You're going to see this accelerate in tons of other things that PE thinks can be easily consolidated, the gold rush has already started for dental practices, primary care providers, coin laundry, HVAC companies, landscaping, etc.

American small businesses are disappearing because that's what consumers want (what they vote for with their dollars, as opposed to what they say in polls).

Re:Why Are There Suddenly So Many Car Washes? by etc-hosts on Sunday March 17, 2024 @11:55PM (#39740389)
Veterinary care choices are simultaneously shrinking and skyrocketing in price.
Re:Why Are There Suddenly So Many Car Washes? by supportengineer on Monday March 18, 2024 @12:05AM (#39740425)
Ours turned into a subscription service.
Re:Why Are There Suddenly So Many Car Washes? by derbOac on Monday March 18, 2024 @09:47AM (#39744457)
I don't think it's necessarily what consumers want. Sometimes it's what business owners want (eg when they retire and sell), and consolidation gives the new owner the benefit of local monopoly or decreased competiton.

Absolutely no one in my area likes trends in veterinary care, for example, but there are only so many options.

Re:Why Are There Suddenly So Many Car Washes? by TecoAndJix on Tuesday March 19, 2024 @07:59PM (#39761597)
What are some of the negative trends you are seeing in veterinary care?
Re:Why Are There Suddenly So Many Car Washes? by donedeals on Tuesday March 19, 2024 @12:21AM (#39752918)
PCP and dental practices are much harder to roll up. The doctors start a competitor, and bring their patients, the second the non-compete ends wiping the practice that was bought