RNR Tire Express Named to Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 List

RNR Tire Express was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list, a comprehensive franchise ranking. RNR ranked at 170 for its performance in key areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability and brand power.

Entrepreneur also announced 2023 as their inaugural Franchise 500 Hall of Fame feature, recognizing those that have ranked in the Franchise 500 a minimum of 25 consecutive years. The RNR team was also mentioned in that feature this year as a member of the Consecutive Club, celebrating the 10-plus consecutive years that the franchise has been on the list, the company said.

Over its 44 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. RNR said its position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise, its growing clout in the automotive retail space and the continued popularity of the unique value and affordability it offers consumers at each of the brand’s 180 nationwide locations.

Edwin Goudswaard is now officially serving as the head of research and development at Continental Tires. He succeeds Dr. Boris Mergell who took over as head of the user experience business area at Continental Automotive, also on September 1, 2023.

Goudswaard began his career at Continental in 2006, shortly after completing his mechanical engineering studies, the company said. Following an international R&D trainee program, he worked in virtual development and product development for original equipment tires. Between 2013 and 2021, Goudswaard assumed various management roles in R&D and in the production facilities for two-wheeler and passenger car tires in Europe and Asia. In 2021, he was appointed head of the two-wheel tire business area. He was most recently responsible for Continental’s global research and development activities in the passenger car tire replacement business.