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Our Story

The predecessor to Campus Clean Cars was started in a two bedroom apartment across the street from Eastern Illinois University's campus in Charleston, IL in the Spring of 2010 by company founder, Matt Pardue. With Summer fast approaching and job prospects in short supply because of lingering effects of the 2008 Financial Crisis, Matt decided to start his own mobile auto detailing business. This new venture utilized the skills he learned while working at local car wash in high school and the first two summers of college selling and performing detailing services.

Customers were quick to book appointments, thanks to the convenience of the service coming to their location and the competitive prices that were offered. Matt quickly realized that he would need help to meet the demand for his mobile detailing services, so he recruited a team of friends from high school and college to work in the business.

Over the next three Summers, Matt and his crew consistently grew the new business and built out the systems that are the backbone of Campus Clean Cars. Matt wound down the operations of the original business to pursue a career outside of auto detailing and start a family, but knew in the future he wanted to take the systems and lessons learned and make them available to a broader group of student business owners, eventually leading to the launch of Campus Clean Cars.

The Campus Clean Cars Difference

Campus Clean Cars stands apart from traditional franchise models by eliminating the financial barriers that often prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from starting their own businesses. Unlike other franchises that demand costly investments in equipment, large upfront franchise fees, and additional charges for training, Campus Clean Cars offers a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. Student owners are not required to provide significant upfront capital—instead, the business covers the cost of necessary equipment once revenue begins to flow. This innovative approach allows students to invest their time, energy, and creativity—what we call sweat equity—to grow the business, gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience, and develop critical management skills, all without the financial burdens typical of other franchise opportunities.