American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) doesn't own any retail stores. But it does own one heck of a retail tire dealer franchise program.
The Tire Pros program, along with AM-PAC Tire Distributors Inc., was purchased by ATD from Itochu Corp. in December 2008. There are 272 individual Tire Pros franchisees representing 348 locations.
Under ATD, the program has grown considerably. In 2009, 53 locations were added. Last year, the store count grew by 138 stores.
In 2011 to date, another 26 have been enrolled in the program.
Modern Tire Dealer Editor Bob Ulrich was in attendance at the 2011 Tire Pros Business Conference, being held in Miami, Fla. To find out more about what's going on with ATD and Tire Pros, check out his on-site blog, "ATD doesn't believe in the 'hurry up and wait' concept of tire distribution.
What do you think about ATD and its growth plans, not only for its distribution network but also its Tire Pros franchise program? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment!
And for more on ATD's purchase of Tire Pros, check out these news items:
* "ATD acquires AMPAC/Tire Pros."
* "More on the purchase of AM-PAC, straight from ATD's executives."
