Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) plans to open 30 more tire and automotive service centers by year’s end, bringing the total number of locations to more than 2,250. The projection is in addition to 15 locations that already have been opened thus far in 2013.
Since 2008, BSRO has opened nearly 300 stores. The 15 opened this year are located in Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida and Maryland. Those projected for the remainder of the year are scheduled to open in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado, California, Nevada and Washington.
“We started strong in the first quarter and into the second, and our plans are to keep that momentum going through the rest of 2013,” said Jim Blecha, vice president of real estate and assets, BSRO. “In terms of company-owned tire and automotive service centers, we’re the largest in our industry, and in the world. It’s important to us to expand our network, but even more important that we do it strategically, in a way that makes sense for our business and that will best serve the needs of our customers.”
All locations will offer a variety of automotive services and products, including new tires and batteries, vehicle inspections, oil changes, alignments, A/C services, brake work, engine repair and tune-up, transmission service and more, BSRO added.