the MTD 100 - Modern Tire Dealer

MTD 100
Climbing the ladder
An in-depth look at the MTD 100,
including 35 big gainers
By Mike Manges
D
espite operating in the worst economic environment since the Great Depression, the nation’s
largest independent tire store chains are holding
their own.
Some have even managed to grow their store count,
a remarkable achievement in light of the current credit
situation.
Of the independent tire store chains that appeared
on last year’s Modern Tire Dealer 100, 35 added locations over the last 12 months, including seven out of
this year’s top 10.
Mount Kisco, N.Y.-based Mavis Discount Tire reported
the largest increase, jumping from 56 to 114 stores thanks
to its acquisition of Cole Muffler & Brake during the
fourth quarter of 2008.
Although the Syracuse, N.Y.-based Cole Muffler marketed itself as a muffler shop, it has always carried tires.
The transaction placed Mavis in this year’s top 10, a first
for the family-owned dealership.
Tire Kingdom Inc., number two on the 2009 MTD
100, reported the second largest increase: 55 outlets,
the vast majority of them new stores.
Discount Tire Co. Inc. remains number one on our
list with 744 stores, 46 more than last year.
According to MTD research, 17 dealerships on last
year’s MTD 100 reduced their number of stores. Big 10
Tire Stores Inc. experienced the most significant reduction, dropping from 101 to 83 stores.
Mobile, Ala.-based Big 10, which is owned by Sun
Capital Partners, filed for reorganization under Chapter
11 earlier this year.
The company recently sold its operations to a newly
created entity called New Big 10 Tire Stores Inc.
The vast majority of the rest of the 2009 MTD 100
that have downsized since last year reduced their store
counts by one outlet.
In addition to those chains that boast the same store
count as 12 months ago, five dealerships joined the MTD
100 in 2009. They include Las Vegas, Nev.-based Morpheus Investments, dba Tire Works Total Car Care (13
24
stores); Atlanta, Ga.-based Nextire LLC (13 stores);
Columbia, Mo.-based Bore/MPC LLC, a Big O franchisee (12 stores); Plano, Texas-based RimTyme (11
stores); and Indianapolis, Ind.-based Indy Tire Center
Inc. (11 stores). Indy Tire Centers barely missed the
2008 MTD 100.
Each year for the MTD 100, Modern Tire Dealer asks
dealerships to list the tire brands they carry, both consumer
and commercial.
Seventy-six dealers on the MTD 100 (actually 103
because of a six-way tie for 98th place) sell the Goodyear
brand, making it the most popular brand on the list.
Seventy-five dealers report selling the Michelin brand.
Here’s a breakdown of the five most popular brands
this year:
Top five brands, MTD 100
(as listed by dealers)
Rank Brand
2009
2008
1. Goodyear
76
71
2. Michelin
75
74
3. BFGoodrich
64
61
4. Dunlop
54
52
5. Bridgestone
52
46
In total, 99 different brands appear on the 2009 MTD
100. This year’s list also contains more Chinese-made
brands than previous editions, including names like
Double Coin, Sailun, Techking and others.
In this special section, we will examine the largest
independent tire store chains in the U.S. Our analysis
will include an in-depth look at the top five dealerships,
plus interviews with several top executives, a first for our
MTD 100 coverage.
Dealerships are ranked according to the combined
number of retail-only, commercial-only and combination
retail/commercial outlets.
We also have listed the number of wholesale outlets
per dealer, if available. All information on the list was as
of May 1, 2009. ■
MTD July 2009
B
Discount Tire: 744 and counting
ruce Halle knows what it is like to be a small independent tire dealer trying to survive. He opened his first
store in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1960 with $400 — in
borrowed funds.
His philosophy was to focus on customer satisfaction. His
goal was to sell five tires a day.
Forty-nine years later, Halle’s philosophy may not have
changed, but his business plan sure has. With 744 stores as of
May 1, 2009, the company holds the top spot on the Modern
Tire Dealer 100 list. (The company has since reached the 750store mark.)
Discount Tire Co. Inc. sells close to 54,000 tires a day (not
counting Internet sales on Discount Tire Direct), according
to MTD estimates. Per outlet, that’s 75 tires a day, or 15 times
his original goal.
Only 28 states to go! Idaho is the latest
Aggressive advertising includes race sponsorships
TOTAL
OUTLETS
WHOLESALE
1. Discount Tire Co. Inc.
Scottsdale, Ariz.
744 0
0
744
0
Arizonian, Goodyear, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Continental,
Michelin, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Yokohama, Fisk,
General, Falken, Kumho, Hankook, Nitto, Cooper, others
Bruce Halle, chairman
www.discounttire.com
2. Tire Kingdom Inc.
Juno Beach, Fla.
733 0
0
733
0
BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Sumitomo, Yokohama, Cooper,
Goodyear, Nitto, Pirelli, Sigma, Dunlop, Continental,
Hankook, Sonar
Orland Wolford,
CEO/president
www.tirekingdom.com
3. Les Schwab Tire
Centers Bend, Ore.
0
353
353
0
Dean, Hercules, Multi-Mile, Maxxis, Toyo, Hankook,
Federal, Ohtsu
Dick Borgman, CEO
www.lesschwab.com
4. Monro Muffler Brake Inc. 154 0
Rochester, N.Y.
0
154
0
Firestone, BFGoodrich, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear,
Hankook, Kelly, Michelin, Pirelli, Yokohama, Bridgestone,
others
Robert Gross,
chairman/CEO
www.mrtire.com
5. Somerset Tire Service
Inc., Bound Brook, N.J.
115 0
0
115
8
Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, Toyo, Pirelli,
Michelin, Goodyear, Runway, Falken
Bill Caulin, president
www.ststire.com
6. Mavis Discount Tire
Mount Kisco, N.Y.
114 0
0
114
0
Cooper, Dunlop, Firestone, Kelly, Goodyear, Michelin,
Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Falken, Yokohama, Pirelli,
others
Stephen and David Sorbaro,
owners
www.mavistire.com
7. New Big 10 Tire Stores
Inc., Mobile, Ala.
83
0
0
83
0
Michelin, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Uniroyal,
others
Robert (Don) Kennemer,
CEO/president
www.big10tires.com
8. Belle Tire Distributors
Allen Park, Mich.
72
3
3
78
1
Kelly, Goodyear, Dunlop, Kumho, Firestone, Bridgestone,
American, Michelin, Toyo, General, GITI, BFGoodrich,
Continental, Uniroyal, others
Don Barnes Jr., president
www.belletire.com
www.moderntiredealer.com
COMMERCIAL
RANK/COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS
COMMERCIAL/
RETAIL
In addition to its aggressive television and newspaper advertising, Discount Tire is involved in racing sponsorships. The
company helps support NASCAR Nationwide Series driver
David Ragan and the No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion car.
Discount Tire also is a long-standing North American drift
supporter. The company is not only the “official tire and wheel
retailer” for the 2009 Formula Drift Professional Drifting Championship Series, but also the co-sponsor of the Discount Tire/
Falken Tire Lexus IS350 drift team. ■
RETAIL
Halle is the public persona of the privately held company.
As chairman, he oversees the largest independent tire store
chain in the world.
Discount Tire’s total tire and wheel sales in 2008 were $2.4
billion. It sells 41 tire brands.
The grand opening of its first store in Idaho in May gave the
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company a presence in 22 states. It does
1
business as America’s
Tire Co. in Oregon and
parts of California.
Gary Van Brunt has
been vice chairman of the
company since 2004. At
that time, Tom Englert
replaced him as CEO.
Van Brunt started
working part-time for Discount Tire in Ann Arbor in 1970.
Englert joined the company in June 1975.
In 2008, Forbes listed Discount Tire as the 193rd largest
private company in America.
0
TIRE BRANDS
CHIEF OFFICER/TITLE
WEB SITE
25
MTD 100
Tire Kingdom unveils new format
D
MTD: Have you branched
out into any new markets in
the past year?
Wolford: No. We’re filling
in the markets we’re already
in. Collectively, between our
company-owned retail stores
and Big O stores, we’re in 42
states.
MTD: What’s the concept behind Service Central? Do
you think your stores are simply seen as tire shops, not
places where customers can take their cars for maintenance
or repairs?
Wolford: No. In fact, our service business at NTB and Tire
Kingdom has expanded immensely. It’s to let customers know
that Service Central is a nationwide program. If you have service
work done at a Big O store in San Francisco and for whatever
reason have some work done at an NTB store in Chicago, that
warranty is covered by the national Service Central brand.
MTD: How is the recession affecting your operation? Has
it been difficult to obtain financing for new stores?
Wolford: We have no financing issues. We continue to look
for acquisitions that make sense for us and we’re continuing
our new store program this year without any concerns about
financing.
COMMERCIAL/
RETAIL
71
0
0
10. Pomp’s Tire Service
Green Bay, Wis.
2
28
40
11. Purcell Tire & Rubber
Co., Potosi, Mo.
27
5
12. Sullivan Tire Co. Inc.
Norwell, Mass.
50
13. Rent-A-Wheel/
Rent-A-Tire Inc.
Van Nuys, Calif.
WHOLESALE
COMMERCIAL
9. Town Fair Tire Centers
Inc., East Haven, Conn.
MTD: What mechanisms are in place to prevent TBC
from building stores on top of each other?
Wolford: Tire Kingdom is basically in the south, Merchant’s is
in the mid-Atlantic states, and NTB is in the northeast, midwest
and southwest.
If we’re already in a market under one brand, it only makes
sense to expand that brand. ■
TOTAL
OUTLETS
RANK/COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS
RETAIL
MTD: Will warranties cost extra or are they part of the
Service Central package?
Wolford: Each service will have its own warranty.
26
2
espite the struggling economy, Tire Kingdom Inc. is
on a roll. Part of TBC Retail, the chain added more
than 50 stores over the last 12 months. And this month,
Tire Kingdom is deploying its new Service Central automotive
service program, which encompasses its National Tire & Battery
(NTB) and Merchant’s Tire brand stores, as well as TBC Corp.’s
Big O Tires Inc. franchise store network. “We tried to find a
common name that would draw all the brands together,” says
Tire Kingdom CEO and President Orland Wolford.
TIRE BRANDS
CHIEF OFFICER/TITLE
WEB SITE
71
0
BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear, Dunlop,
Pirelli, Kelly, Firestone, Hankook, others
Neil Mellen, CEO/president
www.townfair.com
70
1
Bridgestone, Firestone, Cordovan, Kelly, Dayton, General, Jim Wochinske, president
Michelin, Yokohama, Goodyear
www.pompstire.com
35
67
4
Dunlop, Goodyear, Kelly, Michelin, Toyo, Yokohama,
Continental, Titan
Robert Purcell, chairman
www.purcelltire.com
14
1
65
7
Goodyear, Firestone, Republic, Bridgestone, General,
Continental, Michelin, Dunlop, Sailun, BFGoodrich,
Uniroyal, Yokohama, Hankook, Pirelli, Kumho, Jetzon,
Titan, Sumitomo, Galaxy, Toyo, Kelly
Robert Sullivan, president
www.sullivantire.com
61
0
0
61
0
Falken, Hankook, Cooper, Nitto, Pirelli, Toyo, Sunny
John Bowlin and Don
Sabino, co-owners
www.rentawheel.com
14. Peerless Tyre Co.
Denver, Colo.
58
0
0
58
0
Bridgestone, Cordovan, Firestone, Hankook, Peerless,
Fuzion
Sam Forbes, president
www.peerlesstyreco.com
15. Tire Discounters Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio
57
0
0
57
0
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Kelly, Toyo, Continental,
General, Pirelli, Capitol, American, Dunlop, Uniroyal,
Mickey Thompson
Chip Wood, president
www.tirediscounters.com
15. VIP Parts, Tires and
Service
Lewiston, Maine
56
1
0
57
5
BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Goodyear, Multi-Mile,
Falken, Michelin, Pirelli, Firestone, Continental, General,
Sumitomo
John Quirk, CEO/president
www.vipauto.com
Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18113
L
Les (as in Schwab) is still more
3
COMMERCIAL
COMMERCIAL/
RETAIL
TOTAL
OUTLETS
17. Kauffman Tire Inc.
Atlanta, Ga.
49
0
4
53
12 Goodyear, Cooper, Pirelli, Dunlop, Continental, General,
Kumho, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Mastercraft, Toyo
Mark Kauffman, president
www.kauffmantire.com
18. Kost Tire/Muffler
Binghamton, N.Y.
52
0
0
52
0
Mike & Erwin Kost, coowners www.kosttire.com
19. Dunlap & Kyle Co.
Inc., dba Gateway Tire &
Service, Batesville, Miss.
51
0
0
51
12 Yokohama, Federal, Toyo, Firestone, Gateway, Kumho,
Maxxis, Wanli, Multi-Mile, BKT, BCT, others
Robert Dunlap,
chairman/CEO
www.dktire.com
20. Plaza Tire Service
Cape Girardeau, Mo.
0
0
50
50
1
Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Pirelli, Yokohama,
Summit, Toyo, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Hankook, Maxxis
Mark Rhodes, president
www.plazatireservice.com
21. Bob Sumerel Tire Co.
Inc., Erlanger, Ky.
30
12
4
46
0
Michelin, Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama, Continental, Bob Sumerel, CEO
General, Cooper, Goodyear
www.bobsumereltire.com
21. Tire Warehouse
Central Inc., Keene, N.H.
46
0
0
46
1
BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Dunlop, Continental, General,
Jim Hannon, CEO
Goodyear, Michelin, Republic, Yokohama, Runway, others www.tirewarehouse.net
23. AKH Co. Inc. dba
Discount Tire Centers
Huntington Beach, Calif.
45
0
0
45
0
Kumho, Dunlop, Goodyear, Pirelli, Michelin, Bridgestone,
General, Continental
Andy Andonian, chairman
www.discounttirecenters.
com
23. Tire Guys Inc./TireRama Inc., Billings, Mont.
0
0
45
45
0
Cooper, Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama
David Wehr, CEO
www.tirerama.com
25. Colony Tire Corp.
Edenton, N.C.
15
8
18
41
2
Cooper, Falken, Mastercraft, Michelin, Multi-Mile, Toyo,
BFGoodrich, Cordovan
Charles Creighton, owner
www.colonytire.com
www.moderntiredealer.com
WHOLESALE
RANK/COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS
RETAIL
ones this year, although that depends a lot on the
es Schwab died in 2007, but the company
timing of the building approval process.
that bears his name lives by the same philosophies he advocated. “We pay enorMTD: How would you describe your overall
mous respect to everything Les developed,” says
sales in May and June compared to last year at
Dick Borgman, CEO of Les Schwab Tire Centers.
the same time?
“The fundamentals he developed got us this far
Borgman: Sales for May were a little soft, but
and they make sense for the future.”
we have been improving so far.
Les Schwab Tire Centers, now based in Bend,
Ore., has grown its store count nearly 20% in the
MTD: Tire aging is a hot-button issue. What
last five years. It posted sales of more than $1.6
is your company’s position on tire aging?
billion last year.
Borgman: On tire aging, we are working with
We caught up with Borgman in early June after Private brand options
the Tire Industry Association to initiate a discushis trip to Washington, D.C., where he testified are important, says
in opposition of trade restrictions on imported Les Schwab Tire CEO sion in the industry about overall tire maintenance
Dick Borgman.
and safety, of which tire aging is only one factor.
passenger and light truck tires from China.
“Consumers are entitled to choices,” he told the U.S. InternaMTD: What’s the biggest challenge facing Les Schwab
tional Trade Commission. “Without Chinese and other foreign
tire brand suppliers, we could not fill our showrooms with private Tire Centers as it moves forward?
Borgman: Probably the biggest challenge we face right now
brand products or satisfy consumer demand.”
is keeping up with all of the regulations affecting our business.
MTD: What is your store count? Do you plan to open Much of the regulations relates to the development of new
stores, but more recently, industry-related proposals such as
more stores this year?
Borgman: We currently have 353 company-owned stores and tire aging, rolling resistance and import restrictions all require
70 member-dealer stores. We hope to open five to seven new more effort. ■
TIRE BRANDS
Yokohama, Pirelli, BFGoodrich, Toyo, Sumitomo
CHIEF OFFICER/TITLE
WEB SITE
27
MTD 100
Monro heads west with 26 new stores
A
t the cut-off date for the 2009 MTD100,
May 1, Monro Muffler Brake Inc. had 154
tire stores. In late June, it added 26 stores
to that total by acquiring the St. Louis, Mo.-based
Autotire Car Care Center chain from American
Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) for $10 million.
“It’s ATD’s philosophy not to compete with their
customers, so they were looking to get rid of a
non-strategic asset,” says Monro Chairman and
CEO Rob Gross. St. Louis is a new market for
Monro, which is based in Rochester, N.Y.
4
MTD: Will you keep the Autotire name
or switch the stores over to your Mr. Tire
brand?
Gross: We’ll keep the Autotire name. It’s a
well-established brand with a lot of equity.
28
RANK/COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS
RETAIL
COMMERCIAL
COMMERCIAL/
RETAIL
TOTAL
OUTLETS
WHOLESALE
MTD: Has your acquisition strategy changed,
especially in relation to the economy?
Gross: Absolutely nothing has changed. We’re
looking to buy reasonably priced assets that either
fill in our markets or are in contiguous markets
“We’ll have $80 million where we can have significant store density and
can get some leverage off of our business model
MTD: What made the Autotire stores attrac- available for acquisitions,” says Monro
with distribution, advertising and store operative to Monro?
tions. Our balance sheet is really strong.
Gross: They have the number three store density CEO Rob Gross.
in the St. Louis market without us doing anything. The stores
MTD: Many retailers are reporting that customers are
are doing $1.2 million in sales per unit, which is a very attractive
flocking to lower-priced tires. Are you seeing this trend
sales run rate that we hope to build on.
at your stores?
Gross: In a bad economy, people trade down. Within catMTD: Is St. Louis as far west as Monro goes?
Gross: That’s as far west as we go and probably as far west egories, our customers are trading down. Maybe they were a
as anyone should expect us to go. We’re interested in filling in high-end, major brand customer... now they may be moving
(the St. Louis market) and that also opens up the possibility down to a private brand tire. They’re trying to save money
where they can. ■
of more stores in Indiana and Illinois.
TIRE BRANDS
26. Snider Tire Inc.
Greensboro, N.C.
0
39
0
39
0
Michelin, Goodyear, Yokohama, Continental, General
John Snider, president
www.snidertire.com
27. Dobbs Tire & Auto
Centers Inc.
High Ridge, Mo.
38
0
0
38
1
Goodyear, Michelin, Cooper, Pirelli, Dunlop, Continental,
BFGoodrich, Cordovan
David Dobbs, president
www.gotodobbs.com
28. Nebraskaland/
Kansasland Tire Group
Lexington, Neb.
13
0
22
35
1
Goodyear, Kelly, Republic, Mastercraft, Titan, Alliance,
Remington
Gary Wright, president
www.thetirestore.com
28. S&S Firestone Inc.
Lexington, Ky.
25
10
0
35
7
Bridgestone, Falken, Firestone, General, Goodyear,
Dayton, Michelin, Yokohama
Paul Swentzel, president
www.sstire.com
30. Fletcher’s Tire & Auto
Service Inc.
Phoenix, Ariz.
34
0
0
34
0
Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Fuzion, Michelin,
BFGoodrich, Continental, General, Goodyear, others
Jerry Fletcher, president
www.fletcherstireandauto.
net
31. Raben Tire Co. Inc.
Evansville, Ind.
5
3
25
33
2
Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal,
Cooper
Thomas Raben, president
www.rabentire.com
32. Commercial Tire Inc.
Meriden, Idaho
5
6
21
32
1
Bridgestone, Yokohama, General, Goodyear, Firestone,
Cooper, Dayton, Fuzion
Bob Schwenkfelder, pres.
www.commercialtire.com
32. Scher Tire Inc.
Riverside, Calif.
32
0
0
32
2
Goodyear, Pirelli, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Dunlop, Bruce Scher, owner
Republic, Bridgestone, Kumho
www.schertire.com
34. Ben Tire Distributors
Ltd., Toledo, Ill.
31
0
0
31
7
Multi-Mile, Cooper, Toyo, Bridgestone, Yokohama,
Sumitomo, Goodyear, Firestone, Hankook
CHIEF OFFICER/TITLE
WEB SITE
Burnham Neal, president
www.bentire.com
MTD July 2009
S
Somerset prefers ‘steady’ growth
MTD: You mentioned that you’re targeting
smaller dealerships for acquisitions...
Caulin: They seem to be the easier ones to do,
although they’re just as time-consuming as the bigger ones from a legal documentation perspective.
But there’s only X amount of the larger chains out
there and we’re competing with the normal cast
of characters for those bigger ones.
We certainly have an appetite for the larger
MTD: You have 115 stores. What has been
“We’ve had a steady chains — larger meaning those north of 10 stores
your ratio of new stores to acquisitions?
Caulin: We’ve done a lot of both over the years. I growth scenario for — but there’s a finite number of those chains and
a number of years,”
would say 50-50. We go through a constant process says STS President a finite number of people competing for them.
I met with my bankers recently, and in their
of adding and closing stores. We refine along the Bill Caulin.
minds we can’t grow fast enough.
way, not just add. We probably have anywhere from
five to 10 (new stores) that are on the drawing board.
MTD: What’s the biggest challenge facing STS as the
MTD: All of your stores are in the New Jersey/New York/ year continues?
Caulin: Well, the economy is what it is. And New Jersey is
Pennsylvania region. Do you have plans to expand out of
probably the least business-friendly state with one of the highest
that area?
Caulin: Yes. We’re running out of territory. If you go east, state taxes. That’s the bad news.
But we always look for the silver lining and that would be
we’re in the Atlantic Ocean, so we have to go west, south or
north. We’re doing a lot more in Pennsylvania. We don’t have the fact that we’re already here and we’re very successful. If any
imminent plans, but I think we’ll be going south toward Delaware other national players want to come here, good luck. There is a
very high cost of entry. ■
and Maryland.
teady, controlled growth has enabled Bound
Brook, N.J.-based Somerset Tire Service Inc.
(STS) to remain “nimble,” says President Bill
Caulin. “The beauty of being privately held is that
we can grow at a pace that’s comfortable.” Caulin
says STS is always on the look-out for expansion
opportunities.
COMMERCIAL/
RETAIL
30
0
0
35. Mountain View Tire &
Service Inc.
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
30
0
0
37. American Tire Depot
Irwindale, Calif.
29
0
37. Black’s Tire & Auto
Service
Whiteville, N.C.
0
37. Everybody’s Oil Corp.
dba Tire Barn
Anderson, Ind.
37. Martino Tire Co.
Miami, Fla.
WHOLESALE
COMMERCIAL
35. Conrad’s Tire Express
& Total Car Care
Cleveland, Ohio
TOTAL
OUTLETS
RANK/COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS
RETAIL
5
TIRE BRANDS
CHIEF OFFICER/TITLE
WEB SITE
30
2
Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Cooper, Michelin, BFGoodrich,
Uniroyal, General, Continental, Bridgestone, Firestone
John Turk, CEO/president
www.econrads.com
30
0
Dunlop, Goodyear, Republic, GeoTrac, Milestar
Nicholas Mitsos,
CEO/president
www.mountainviewtire.com
0
29
0
Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Dunlop, BFGoodrich,
Firestone, Continental, Falken, Hankook, Yokohama ,
Uniroyal, Toyo, Nitto, Pirelli, Kumho, others
Ara Tchaghlassian,
president www.americantiredepot.com
0
29
29
2
Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Republic, Cooper, Dean,
Federal, Falken, Sunny, General, Continental, Michelin,
Hankook, Double Coin, Ohtsu, Roadmaster, others
Ricky Benton, president
www.blackstire.com
29
0
0
29
0
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Kelly, Toyo,
Nexen, Federal, Dunlop, Cooper
Christopher Jones,
CEO/president
www.tirebarnusa.com
27
2
0
29
0
Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Republic, Falken, Continental,
GT, General, others
Andy Martino, president
www.martinotire.com
37. McCarthy Tire Service Inc. 2
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
15
12
29
0
Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Continental, Goodyear,
Yokohama, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Kelly, Dunlop, others
John McCarthy Jr.,president
www.mccarthytire.com
42. Dunn Tire LLC
Buffalo, N.Y.
0
0
28
3
Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal,
Bridgestone, Firestone, Kumho, Falken, Dean, Hankook.
Mastercraft, Continental, General, Yokohama, others
Randall Clark, chairman
www.dunntire.com
28
www.moderntiredealer.com
29
COMMERCIAL/
RETAIL
1
1
25
43. Graham Tire Co.
Sioux Falls, S.D.
7
3
17
43. Grismer Tire Co.
Dayton, Ohio
23
2
43. T.O. Haas Tire Co. Inc.
Lincoln, Neb.
27
43. Vespia’s Tire & Auto
Service Centers Inc.
South River, N.J.
WHOLESALE
COMMERCIAL
43. Bauer Built Inc.
Durand, Wis.
TOTAL
OUTLETS
RANK/COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS
RETAIL
MTD 100
TIRE BRANDS
CHIEF OFFICER/TITLE
WEB SITE
27
1
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Kumho,
Hercules, Maxxis, Titan, Carlisle, Tireco
Jerry Bauer, president
www.bauerbuilt.com
27
0
Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Cooper, Hankook, Titan, General
Bob and Tom Graham, owners www.grahamtire.com
2
27
0
Michelin, Dayton, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Firestone,
Nokian, General, Continental, Uniroyal, Carlisle
Charles Marshall, president
www.grismertire.com
0
0
27
0
BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Kumho, Uniroyal
George Hoellen, president
www.tohaastire.com
27
0
0
27
0
Kelly, Goodyear, Dunlop
Phil Vespia, president
www.vespiatires.com
48. Cross-Midwest Tire
Kansas City, Mo.
0
13
13
26
0
Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, BFGoodrich,
Continental, General, Yokohama, GT Radial
Greg Trum, president
www.crossmidwest.com
48. Service Tire Truck
Centers, Bethlehem, Pa.
0
24
2
26
0
Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Cooper,
Yokohama
Ronald Bennett, CEO/president www.sttc.com
50. Express Tire Auto
Service Center
Escondido, Calif.
25
0
0
25
0
Cooper, Goodyear, Toyo, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal,
Kelly, Dunlop
John Marchioni, president
www.expresstire.com
50. Hennelly Tire & Auto
Inc. dba The Tire Choice
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
25
0
0
25
0
Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, Goodyear, Yokohama,
Pirelli
Daniel and Diane Hennelly,
owners
www.thetirechoice.com
50. Jack Williams Tire Co.
Moosic, Pa.
25
0
0
25
4
Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Republic, Michelin,
BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Toyo, Kumho, Mastercraft,
Yokohama, American, Nokian, Continental
Bill Williams, CEO
www.jackwilliams.com
53. Appalachian Tire
Products Inc.
Charleston, W.Va.
8
1
14
23
1
Goodyear, Kelly, Cordovan, Dunlop, Toyo, Michelin,
Super Grip, others
Jennifer Dial, president
www.apptire.com
54. Allen Tire Co.
Lakewood, Calif.
22
0
0
22
0
Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Toyo,
Nexen, GITI
Fred Allen, president
www.allentire.com
54. Kramer Tire
Norfolk, Va.
20
2
0
22
2
Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Toyo, Pirelli, Yokohama,
Continental, General, Bridgestone, Michelin
Ronald Kramer, president
www.kramertire.com
56. Action-Gator Tire
Stores, Orlando, Fla.
21
0
0
21
0
Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Michelin, Continental, Falken,
BFGoodrich, Cooper, General
Fred Christensen, president
www.actiongatortire.com
56. C.S.B. Partnership
Capistrano Beach, Calif.
21
0
0
21
0
Big O, Fulda, Pirelli, Yokohama, BFGoodrich, Dunlop,
Michelin, Goodyear, Uniroyal
Christopher Phillips, owner
www.bigo.com
56. Enger Automotive Inc.
Euclid, Ohio
21
0
0
21
3
Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, BFGoodrich,
Uniroyal, Firestone, Kumho, Kenda
Jim Enger, owner
www.enger-tire.com
56. Flynn’s Tire & Auto
Service
Hermitage, Pa.
19
2
0
21
4
Yokohama, Vanderbilt, Sailun, Vogue, Vredestein,
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Kelly, Republic,
Goodyear, Dunlop, Continental, General, Tireco
Joe Flynn, president
www.flynnstire.com
56. Jensen Tire & Auto
Omaha, Neb.
20
1
0
21
0
BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Goodyear, Kelly, Michelin, Toyo,
Cordovan, Cooper
Matthew Jensen, president
www.jensentireandauto.
com
56. Tredroc Tire Services
Antioch, Ill.
0
0
21
21
0
Bridestone, Firestone, Michelin, Continental, General,
Toyo, Titan, Hankook, Wanli, Armour, Sunny, Techking
John Lavelle, CEO
www.tredroctire.com
56. Ziegler Tire & Oil Co.
Massillon, Ohio
4
15
2
21
2
Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Michelin, BFGoodrich,
Continental, General, Delta, GT, Gladiator
William Ziegler, president
www.zieglertire.com
7
9
20
3
Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama, Dayton, General,
Michelin, Uniroyal, Mastercraft, Carlisle, Titan
Paul Weaver, president
www.southernindianatire.com
63. Southern Indiana Tire Inc. 4
Princeton, Ind.
30
MTD July 2009
COMMERCIAL/
RETAIL
TOTAL
OUTLETS
WHOLESALE
63. Western Tire Centers Inc. 19
Tucson, Ariz.
0
1
20
1
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Riken, Cooper, Dean,
Continental, General, Hankook, Yokohama,
Diamondback, Mickey Thompson, Dirt Gripz
Jack Furrier, president
www.jackfurriers.com
65. Royal Tire Inc.
St. Cloud, Minn.
8
9
2
19
1
Aurora, Bridgetone, Firestone, Mastercraft, Michelin,
Toyo, Goodyear, BFGoodrich
Patrick Duininck, president
www.royaltire.com
65. Valley Tire Co. Inc.
Charleroi, Pa.
3
12
4
19
0
Michelin, Bridgestone, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Yokohama, James Stankiewicz, presiSumitomo, General, Continental
dent www.valleytireco.com
67. A to Z Tire & Battery
Inc., Amarillo, Texas
0
0
18
18
4
Toyo, Cooper, Summit, Westlake, Rotalla, Samson,
Advance, Durun, Unicorn, Neptune, Carlisle, Firestone
Philip Nussbaum, president
www.atoztire.com
67. Evans Tire & Service
Center Inc.
Escondido, Calif.
18
0
0
18
0
Goodyear, Pirelli, Falken, Michelin, Nankang
John Andonian, president
www.evanstire.com
67. Steve Shannon Tire &
Auto Centers
Bloomsburg, Pa.
10
0
8
18
1
Bridgestone, Delta, Firestone, Kumho, Nankang
Steve Shannon,
CEO/president
www.steveshannon.com
70. Certified Tire & Service 0
Centers, Riverside, Calif.
0
17
17
0
Goodyear, Republic, Dunlop, Falken, Hercules, Sunny
Jeff Darrow, president
www.certifiedtire.com
71. Clark Tire & Auto
Hickory, N.C.
14
2
0
16
2
Dunlop, Goodyear, GT, Hankook, Kelly, Michelin
John Clark, owner/CEO
www.clarktire.com
71. Ken Towery’s AutoCare 16
SuperCenters
Louisville, Ky.
0
0
16
1
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Bridgestone,
Pirelli, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Kumho,
Hankook
Ken Towery, president
www.kentowery.com
71. McGee Tire Stores
Eaton Park, Fla.
11
2
3
16
0
Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Hankook
Mike McGee, president
www.mcgeetire.com
71. Northwest Tire and
Service, Flint, Mich.
16
0
0
16
0
Goodyear, Firestone, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Michelin,
General, Uniroyal, Dunlop
A.J. Faught, president
www.northwesttire.com
71. Pete’s Tire Barns Inc.
Orange, Mass.
0
1
15
16
1
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone,
Goodyear, Continental, General, Cooper, Yokohama, Carlisle, Dayton, Denman, Titan, Watts, BKT, Kleber, Nokian
Peter Gerry, president
www.petestire.com
76. Big Brand Tire Co.
Bakersfield, Calif.
15
0
0
15
0
Cooper, Pirelli, Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich,
Kumho, Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, Sumitomo,
Yokohama
Greg Robinson, president
www.bigbrand.com
76. Cassidy Tire & Service
Chicago, Ill.
0
0
15
15
0
Toyo, Continental, General, Nexen, Cooper, Mastercraft
John Ahern, owner
www.cassidytire.com
76. F & F’s Tire World
Janesville, Wis.
15
0
0
15
0
Michelin, Goodyear, Hankook, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal,
others
Jeff DeVries, president
www.tiredeals.com
76. Ted Wiens Tire & Auto
Centers, Las Vegas, Nev.
12
3
0
15
1
Bridgestone, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Michelin,
Continental, General, Uniroyal, Hankook, Solideal
Ted Wiens, president
www.tedwiens.com
76. Tireman Auto Service
Centers, Toledo, Ohio
15
0
0
15
0
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Kumho,
Multi-Mile
Randy Jones, president
www.thetireman.com
81. Advanced Auto Service 14
& Tire Center, Mesa, Ariz.
0
0
14
1
Continental, General, Goodyear, Republic, Sumitomo,
Toyo, Dunlop
Paul Couture, owner
www.advancedauto.com
81. Delta World Tire Co.
New Orleans, La.
11
0
3
14
0
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Riken, Cooper, Delta
Kevin Cates, president
www.deltaworldtire.com
81. Jennings Tire Co./
American Tire Co.
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
10
0
4
14
0
Dunlop, Goodyear, Kelly, Steelmark, Michelin, Uniroyal,
BFGoodrich, Republic
H. B. Willis, CEO
www.jenningstire.com
81. Lamb’s Tire & Automo- 14
tive Center, Austin, Texas
0
0
14
0
Goodyear, Dunlop, Republic
Ron Meredeith, CEO
www.lambstire.com
RANK/COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS
32
RETAIL
COMMERCIAL
MTD 100
TIRE BRANDS
CHIEF OFFICER/TITLE
WEB SITE
MTD July 2009
34
RETAIL
COMMERCIAL
COMMERCIAL/
RETAIL
TOTAL
OUTLETS
WHOLESALE
MTD 100
0
14
0
14
0
BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dayton, Firestone, Jim Parkhouse, CEO
General, Michelin, Yokohama
www.parkhousetire.com
81. Ramona Tire & Service 14
Centers, Hemet, Calif.
0
0
14
0
Bridgestone, Continental, Firestone, Hankook
Don Digby, CEO
www.ramonatire.com
81. Warren Tire Service
Center Inc.
Queensbury, N.Y.
12
0
2
14
0
Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Republic, Michelin, Pirelli
Robert Kellogg, president
www.warrentiresvc.com
88. Alton’s Tire & Automotive, Spokane, Wash.
13
0
0
13
0
Hankook, Bridgestone, Nexen, Dayton, others
Duane Alton, owner
www.altonstire.com
88. Chabill’s Tire Service Inc. 12
Morgan City, La.
1
0
13
0
BFGoodrich, Cooper, Michelin, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Kelly
Charles Gowland and
William Parker, owners
www.chabillstire.com
88. Daniel’s Tire Service Inc. 13
Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
0
0
13
0
Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Cooper, Republic, Michelin,
BFGoodrich, Yokohama, others
Douglas Daniels, president
www.danielstireservice.
com
88. Free Service Tire Co. Inc. 11
Johnson City, Tenn.
2
0
13
5
Continental, General, Yokohama, Michelin, BFGoodrich,
Uniroyal, Procomp, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Pirelli,
Cooper, Double Coin, Prometer, Runway
Lewis Wexler Sr.,
chairman/CEO
www.freeservicetire.com
88. Morpheus Investments 13
dba Tire Works Total Car
Care, Las Vegas, Nev.
0
0
13
0
Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama, Pirelli, Continental,
Dayton, Fuzion, General, Falken, others
Roshie and Jeffrey
Weightman, owners
www.tireworkstcc.com
88. Nextire LLC
Atlanta, Ga.
13
0
0
13
0
Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop
Richard Ehler,
CEO/president
94. Bore/MPC LLC (Big O
Tires), Columbia, Mo.
12
0
0
12
0
Big O, Sumitomo, Yokohama, Michelin, BFGoodrich,
Uniroyal, Falken, Continental, General
Jerome Taylor, president
www.mobigotires.com
94. Bruneel Tire Factory
Boise, Idaho
11
1
0
12
1
Cooper, Hankook, Mastercraft, Kelly, Kumho, Goodyear,
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Dunlop
Craig Bruneel, president
www.bruneel.com
94. Mock Beroth Tire &
Automotive
Winston-Salem, N.C.
12
0
0
12
0
Bridgestone, Dayton, Firestone, Kumho, Michelin,
BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear
Floyd Mock and Tom
Beroth, owners
www.mocktire.com
94. Stratham Tire
Brentwood, N.H.
10
2
0
12
2
Bridgestone, Michelin, Toyo, Hankook, Yokohama,
Double Coin, Summit, Goodyear, Kelly, Uniroyal,
BFGoodrich
Lional LaBonte, president
www.strathamtire.com
98. Action Tire Co.
Forest Park, Ga.
1
0
10
11
0
Toyo, Ohtsu, Hercules, Akuret, Roadmaster, Cooper,
Goodyear, Bridgestone, Double Coin
Rick Stewart, president
www.actiontireco.com
98. Associated Tire Stores
Inc./Plains Tire Co.
Logan, Utah
11
0
0
11
0
Goodyear, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Toyo, Nitto, Continental,
American
Christie Stock, president
www.plainstire.com
98. Indy Tire Center Inc.
Indianapolis, Ind.
9
0
2
11
1
Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Continental, General,
Goodyear, Mastercraft, Kumho, Michelin
Dennis Dickson, president
www.indytire.com
98. Moore’s Retread & Tire 5
Co., Shreveport, La.
4
2
11
0
Goodyear, Michelin, Dunlop, Titan, Hankook, Nokian,
BFGoodrich, Kelly
Daniel Hutchison, president
www.mooresgoodyear.com
98. P.R. Walker Inc./Tire
Tracks, Joliet, Ill.
11
0
0
11
1
Bridgestone, Firestone, Goodyear, Dunlop, others
Frank Shipla, president
www.tiretracksinc.com
98. RimTyme
Plano, Texas
11
0
0
11
0
Nitto, Kumho, Falken, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Sumitomo
Bob Bloom, CEO
www.rimtyme.com
RANK/COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS
81. Parkhouse Tire Inc.
Bell Gardens, Calif.
TIRE BRANDS
CHIEF OFFICER/TITLE
WEB SITE
MTD July 2009