The economy may be teetering on the edge of a recession - depending on who you talk to - but you wouldn’t know it based on the number of independent tire dealerships that have added stores over the past several months.
Whether expansion has come through greenfield builds or acquisitions, it’s been full speed ahead for the owners of these dealerships, as they seek to not only grow their physical horizons but also their share of business in existing and new markets.
Let’s look at some independent tire dealerships that have added brand new stores since October 2024.
Cassidy Tire & Service recently opened its 18th store, a location in its longtime hometown of Chicago, Ill.
Chapel Hill Tire opened its 12th location, the third Chapel Hill Tire outlet in the Durham, N.C., market.
Tire Discounters Inc. opened a concept store near its Cincinnati, Ohio, base that offers a full range of electric and hybrid vehicle services.
High Ridge, Mo.-based Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers opened a store in O’Fallon, Mo., just a few weeks after opening an outlet in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.
Tampa, Fla.-based RNR Tire Express announced the opening of its 200th franchise location, a store in Schenectady, N.Y.
North Salt Lake, Utah based Burt Brothers Tire & Service Inc. opened its 29th location, a store in Pleasant View, Utah.
Norwell, Mass.-based Sullivan Tire Co Inc. opened its 83rd retail location, a former Country Tire store in Rochester, N.H.
Auburn, Maine-based VIP Tires & Service opened its 74th store, a new outlet in Barre, Vt.
And by no means is this a complete list!
Some tire dealerships elected to expand through acquisitions. Here’s a look at some of the deals that were finalized during the first quarter of 2025.
Based on number of stores, the biggest was the acquisition of Cleveland, Ohio-based Conrad’s Tire Express and Total Car Care, which has 39 locations, by Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers, which also picked up five Complete Custom Automotive stores 6 in Missouri.
The Conrad’s Tire purchase also marked Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers’ entry into Ohio.
Byron Center, Mich.-based Wonderland Tire Co. acquired two Ray’s Tire outlets in Wisconsin.
Bloomsburg, Pa.-based Steve Shannon Tire Co. extended its reach by acquiring three retail stores operated by Albany, N.Y. based The Tire Warehouse Inc.
Bend, Ore.-based Les Schwab Tire Centers Inc. enlarged its presence in southern California by acquiring commercial tire dealership Pete’s Road Service, which has 10 outlets, one retread plant and one distribution center. Les Schwab Tire Centers also entered the Nebraska market through the acquisition of Modern Tire Pros in Platte.
Telle Tire & Auto Centers, based in Webster Groves, Mo., extended its footprint to 30 stores via the acquisition of Shore Tire in Lenexa, Kan., and Miller Tire, a dealership headquartered in Mexico, Mo.
VIP Tires & Service acquired Tires International in Manchester, Conn., and Wallingford Tire & Auto in Wallingford, Conn.
Straightaway Tire & Auto, which is owned by private equity group 02 Investment Partners, grew its network as one of its brands, EAS Tire & Auto, acquired four Integrity Tire stores in the Denver, Colo., market, plus two more stores.
Straightaway Tire & Auto’s Victory Tire & Auto chain also acquired Burnsville Auto Repair in Minneapolis, Minn.
As we move through the rest of 2025, there will be plenty of opportunities for expansion-minded tire dealerships — even in the face of economic headwinds, says Cole Strandberg, MTD’s monthly Mergers and Acquisitions columnist and managing director at Focus Investment Banking.
“Evergreen businesses like tire dealerships are very attractive for capital,” he says. “We made it through 2008-2009 and we made it through COVID-19. This industry isn’t going anywhere. It’s generating cash flow and there’s a ton of cash on the side, whether it’s private equity or in family businesses. This creates incredible opportunities for the future.
“You can’t drive without tires, even in a bad economy,” he says. “New cars are expensive. As much as keeping a car running safely and efficiently can cost, it still costs less than buying a new car.
“In this industry, fortune often favors the bold. It’s an exciting time to be in the tire industry. We think tire dealerships are positioned really well.”
Are you planning to build or acquire a new location? Let MTD know. We’d love to report on it!
Questions? Comments? Please email me at [email protected].
