Big O Tires hosted more than 700 franchise owners, managers, corporate associates and suppliers in San Diego, Calif., during the annual Big O Tires Convention on April 21.

A subsidiary of TBC Corp., Big O Tires operates 395 franchisee-owned and two company-owned stores throughout the western and midwestern United States. Big O also distributes tires and other automotive service products to associate dealers in western Canada.

Keeping in the theme, “Catch the Wave,” the event included franchisee panel discussions, executive presentations, keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and a trade show.

Event Highlights

Big O reported that 2016 was a huge success, with the company consistently exceeding goals. Big O franchisees increased same store total retail, service and tire unit sales, as well as car count. All these metrics outpaced industry performance, Big O said.

Additionally, one new store joined the $6 Million Club and one joined the $7 Million Club. Others moved up to the next level of annual sales. Celebrating the growth of Big O locations, the group welcomed 19 new stores in 2016 compared to the 14 stores in 2015.

Keynote speakers included Mark Eaton, NBA all star and team building expert, and Dave Anderson, president of international sales and leadership training and consulting company LearnToLead. Eaton discussed uncovering your best talents and cultivating those abilities to achieve long-term success, while Anderson taught franchisees how to develop a winning team of “game changers.”

Convention attendees also had the opportunity to raise funds for the Big O Tires Scholarship Fund. This year, event participants raised $83,500.

Awards

During the annual “Best of the Best” awards ceremony, Big O presented awards to franchisees and associates to honor their hard work and achievements.

Franchisees and corporate associates who went above and beyond to support Big O were awarded the Standing “O” Award. This year’s winners included: Matthew Greco, co-owner of more than 20 stores in California and Colorado; Mitch Beranek, co-owner of 10 stores across Colorado and New Mexico; Rodger Anderson, Real Estate Development Manager at TBC Corp.; Darrell Jackson, Field Training Manager at TBC Corporation; Ferdie Brown, Franchise Business Consultant for Big O Tires’ East Division.

Tony Williams, owner of seven stores in the Phoenix, Ariz., received The Point of Light Award, which recognizes extraordinary franchisees that have contributed to the Big O organization with their knowledge, expertise, and dedication. Williams has been a franchisee since 2006 and is a member of Big O’s Franchise Advisory Council as well as a leader in his local dealer group.

Now in its second year, the Franchisee of the Year award was presented to Jerry Tidwell, store owner in Phoenix; Bruce Cherry, Hall of Fame member and multi-store owner in California; and Jeff Schwab, multi-store store owner in Iowa and Nebraska.

Big O also inducted Kevin Kormondy, who has worked with Big O since 1981, into its Hall of Fame. Kormondy retired in late 2016.