Club Car Wash was already expanding when Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce became involved with the business. The company began in Columbia, Missouri, in 2006 as the family-owned Tiger Express Car Wash, then built its presence across Missouri before rebranding as Club Car Wash in 2019. That year, it entered Kansas and Illinois, while a partnership with Wildcat Capital gave the company more room to grow. But questions have now emerged about how the company handled promises made to its employees.

A 28-year-old former employee from Converse, Texas, Tristan Cole Reeves, filed the lawsuit on May 27, 2026, in Bexar County District Court. As per the complaint, Reeves claimed that he entered into a written employment agreement that promised a performance-based bonus if certain conditions were fulfilled. He further claimed that his bonus was around $29,028. It was payable in March 2026. But his account received a credit of only $7,257. That’s about 25% of the exact amount, leaving a balance of $21,771. 

The case drew local attention when the San Antonio Express-News reported on June 15 that Reeves was seeking more than $2 million in damages and other relief on behalf of a proposed class of roughly 100 current and former employees. At the time of the report, Club Car Wash had not responded to the newspaper’s requests for comment.

As per a report by the San Antonio Express-News, the company’s managers informed the employees through a Microsoft Teams meeting on April 28 that only 25% of the bonus would be provided, as per their individual employment agreements. When Reeves tried to retrieve the employment agreement, he couldn’t access it.

On April 29, Reeves’ attorney sent a preservation letter to the Club Car Wash, and six days later, counsel contacted Patrick Spellman, the vice president of operations for the car wash company. The counsel requested a discussion about the bonus. Furthermore, Reeves alleged that about two hours later, the company terminated him for a pretextual policy violation. 

For now, the case hinges on class certification. Under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 42, the plaintiff will have to successfully establish stringent requirements like numerosity, common questions, typicality, and adequate representation. If the court certifies the class, it will then decide whether group treatment is superior to individual suits.

The allegations come as Club Car Wash continues to build its national presence. In 2022, the company partnered with Rapid Express Car Wash, acquired Speedy Splash and added 11 locations. It also expanded into Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin, reaching nine states and opening its 100th location.

That growth included Texas, where Reeves later worked and filed his lawsuit in Bexar County.

Club Car Wash maintained that pace in 2023. The company entered Tennessee, expanded its operations to 10 states, and opened its 130th location. It was also named an emerging partner of Children’s Miracle Network that year.

But it’s not the only legal complication that the company has dealt with. Back in 2024, Club Car Wash faced a federal lawsuit in Missouri. That’s when the maintenance technicians alleged the company improperly classified some workers as exempt from overtime requirements. After denying liability, Club Car Wash agreed to settle the case for $600,000. As per the settlement filings, about 52 technicians could have been eligible for overtime payments. 

The current lawsuit has a much larger liability. But what will be the impact on the tight end?

How does the lawsuit affect Travis Kelce?

The short answer is that the lawsuit against Club Car Wash does not mean it directly concerns Kelce. The Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end is strictly a minority investor in the company. Unless a plaintiff can explicitly prove that an investor exercised direct, day-to-day control over employment decisions, minority stakeholders like Kelce remain legally insulated from these types of corporate lawsuits. 

Since he joined in 2020, the exact amount he invested in it still remains a mystery. However, it’s worth noting that following Kelce’s financial backing, the car wash expanded its footprint. Since 2021, Club Car Wash has established itself in over 200 locations in the USA. In 2025, the company launched its mobile app, entered Mississippi, expanded its footprint to 13 states, and opened its 250th location.

“After learning about the trajectory of the industry and knowing my partners have significant knowledge and experience in the space, I thought Club Car Wash was a fantastic opportunity, and I’m excited to be on board,” Kelce proudly stated after investing five years ago.

A major reason the company attracted so much positive attention is its involvement in local charitable acts. Every Tuesday, the car wash offers a $25 wash for just $10 on Tuesdays. And for every single wash (MVP wash), the company donates $1 to Children’s Miracle Network. That’s something that the tight end proudly promotes. 

The outcome could reshape how car-wash franchises structure employee bonuses for Kelce and his investment in Club Car Wash. And we’ll have to see what the court decides in the near future.