EY US celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs shaping the future of business
Southfield, MI – May 5th, 2026 – Jon Zimmerman, CEO of Jax Kar Wash, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations drive economic growth and help shape the future of business.
An independent panel of judges selected Jon Zimmerman among 34 finalists representing 31 companies based on their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.
“I’m honored to be recognized alongside so many inspiring leaders,” said Zimmerman. “What makes this especially meaningful is the journey behind it. Since 1953, we’ve been focused on delivering a great experience for our customers, and today Jax has grown to more than 55 locations across Michigan and Indiana. That growth is driven by an incredible team and a constant commitment to innovation – always looking for new ways to improve our technology and elevate the car wash experience.”
Under Zimmerman’s leadership, Jax Kar Wash has continued to grow across Michigan and Indiana, alongside its sister brand, Jilly’s Car Wash in Wisconsin. Zimmerman, who joined Jax through the acquisition of Jilly’s Car Wash, now leads both brands as CEO. Together, the brands operate more than 65 locations across the Midwest while continuing to invest in advanced wash technology and a consistent, high-quality customer experience at scale. Known for its signature hand towel drying and customer-first approach, Jax has built a loyal and growing membership base through its Unlimited Club program.
Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory, and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.
This year’s Michigan and Northwest Ohio finalists represent all industries, including technology, consumer products, manufacturing, finance and more.
Regional award winners will be announced on June 17 during a special celebration in Detroit and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, where high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives and investors converge to shape the future of business.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, SAP and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In Michigan and Northwest Ohio,sponsors also include regional Gold sponsor Full View Productions and regional Silver sponsors KLA Laboratories Inc., P.I.E. Management L.L.C., Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications, Varnum LLP and ADP.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year® has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.
The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November where national finalists and award winners are announced. The national overall winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year® competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.
About EY
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.
Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.
EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.
All in to shape the future with confidence.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
About Jax Kar Wash
Committed to clean since 1953, Jax Kar Wash is the largest car wash operator in Michigan, with more than 55 locations across Michigan and Indiana. Jax is known for delivering a high-quality wash experience, including hand towel drying at every location, and for its Unlimited Club program, which offers customers convenient, cost-effective access to clean vehicles year-round.
