Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC (BSRO) projects it will open 45 new tire and automotive service centers across the United States this year. It currently owns and operates 2,222 stores.
Since 2008, BSRO has opened nearly 300 stores. This year it has opened 15 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.
Each store employs an average of 10 people in management, sales, automotive service and general service.
“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,” says 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, the company reports.
The service centers across the U.S. include Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, ExpertTire and Wheel Works store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care operations are also part of BSRO. It is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.
