Big O Tires is growing again, this time expanding its footprint across Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri thanks to Western Automotive Ventures. The expanding partnership with Mark Rhee and Western Automotive Ventures is adding 44 locations – all former NTB Tire & Service locations – to the Big O franchise. Rhee, an existing franchisee of the Big O Tires brand with 12 locations in Nevada, now owns and operates 56 locations with this move.
“We are super excited about our expansion with Big O Tires,” said Rhee, president of Western Automotive Ventures. “The opportunity to grow our respective companies through this partnership was one that just felt right in all aspects and all of our company family team members and I are looking forward to bringing the Western Automotive Ventures mark of excellence to the people of Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.”
John Kairys, vice president and general manager for Big O Tires, shares in Rhee’s enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “We’re excited about our expansion and the opportunity to partner with Mark and his team again…. Mark is an exceptional businessman and industry leader and we’re fortunate to expand the brand with him.”
Big O Tires, founded in 1962, is one of the largest retail tire franchisors with nearly 400 locations across nineteen states.
In a statement from Erik Olsen, president of TBC Corporation, parent company of both NTB Tire & Service and Big O Tires, the switch to Big O from NTB in this agreement seemed to make sense.
“After careful consideration, we believe that this agreement is an exciting way for TBC to leverage an asset that will provide significant growth to Big O Tires; and will prove to be beneficial to our associates, consumers, franchises and corporation as a whole for years to come,” Olsen said.
