Hard work pays off at Autobell Car Wash. The Charlotte-based company is awarding $150,000 in academic scholarships to 182 team members across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, helping students take the next step in their educational journeys for the 2026-27 academic year.
The Autobell Car Wash Scholarship Program has been making that investment since 2000, putting more than $2.6 million into the hands of over 2,400 team members who have demonstrated the desire and dedication to pursue higher education.
“Our team members show up every day with energy, purpose, and a genuine commitment to their communities,” said Katie Sens, Autobell Vice President of Human Resources. “Helping them reach their academic goals is something we’re proud to do and a reflection of who we are as a company.
“Working at Autobell also means gaining real-world skills that will serve them for life. From communication and teamwork to time management and hands-on experience, our team members are building an essential professional foundation every day. With flexible scheduling designed around students’ lives, Autobell is a place where working and learning truly go hand in hand,” Sens concluded.
Recipients are selected through a competitive process that weighs academic achievement, extracurricular participation, community involvement, and leadership qualities. Candidates also provide letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, and community leaders, and submit an original essay drawing on their experience working at Autobell.
In addition to the Autobell scholarship winners, four Autobell team members also received $2,500 scholarships awarded by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association:
- Ethan Pazdzior, working in Durham, NC, will attend North Carolina State University
- Peyton Mahaffe, Mooresville, NC — Mitchell Community College
- Jacob Cowley, Durham, NC — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Caden Smith, Shelby, NC — Gaston College
ABOUT AUTOBELL CAR WASH
For 57 years, Autobell Car Wash has been a trusted name in car care and a Charlotte, NC-based institution. Founded in 1969 by Charles “Charlie” Howard Sr. and proudly family-owned across subsequent generations, Autobell currently operates 91 conveyorized car wash locations in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, with consistent expansion.
Customers enjoy fast, professional exterior and interior cleaning completed in minutes; flexible Premier Unlimited℠ monthly wash memberships; and the Autobell® App for prepaid washes, skip-the-line convenience, and loyalty perks through My Autobell® Rewards.
Beyond the wash bay, Autobell invests deeply in team member training and development, community involvement, and its scholarship and fundraising programs.
Environmental responsibility is built into every wash. All locations treat 100% of water used and recycle up to 100% through innovative, eco-friendly systems, because the Autobell® team believes caring for cars and the world they drive through go hand in hand.
For more information, visit autobell.com.
