Expand and deliver

'More stores!' say the top dealers in the U.S.

By: Bob Ulrich

Belle Tire Distributors (79 stores, 9th) is constructing two new stores in Michigan, one in Hartland and one in Okemos, and has other properties under contract.

Two-thirds of the respondents to our Modern Tire Dealer 100 survey say they plan to increase their store count this year. Two-thirds.

Forget about the recession, or tariffs on Chinese imports. The largest independent tire dealers in the United States are proactively seeking out growth opportunities.

Leading the way is perennial leader Discount Tire Co. Inc. With 775 stores, Discount Tire is number one on the MTD 100.

“We’re planning on reaching 800 by the end of the year,” says Gary Van Brunt, vice chairman.

Earlier this year, Discount Tire celebrated its 50th anniversary in style, with founder and Chairman Bruce Halle hosting a party of 500 people at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Ariz. The company is based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Eight hundred stores in 50 years averages out to 16 stores a year. The number it opens in just one year is enough to put Discount Tire in a tie for 71st place on our list (for the complete list, see http://www.moderntiredealer.com/Stats/Viewer.aspx?file=http%3a%2f%2fwww.moderntiredealer.com%2ffiles%2fstats%2fMTD-100.pdf.)

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Related Topics: Modern Tire Dealer 100, MTD 100, Top dealers

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