Since it was launched more than a year ago, the Goodyear Tire & Service Network has grown considerably. And with its recent launch into Canada, TSN officials feel the retail tire operation is well on its way to meeting its goals.

Combining elements of Goodyear’s former Gemini company-owned stores and independent dealer identification, the Tire & Service Network can best be described as a tire-oriented retail store format and concept.

A year ago, the T&SN boasted 1,873 locations; as of late April 2012 there were 2,293 locations in the system, supported by 350 distribution centers, according to Cary Budzinski, general manager for dealer development.

The program launched in Canada earlier this year, and Budzinski said the tiremaker expects to have 300 retail locations on board by mid-2012.

Long-term, he said, “We don’t have a magic number of retail stores they we’re chasing. It’s not how many dealers or stores. We are more interested in having right dealers participating.”