Big O Tires Inc. opened its 500th store today; the Salt Lake City, Utah, outlet "marks an impressive milestone for the company," say Big O officials.
The Englewood, Colo.-based distribution group originally wanted to open 41 stores during 2001 and met that goal before last June.
Big O projects it will have added 60 new stores by Jan. 1, 2002.
Conversions accounted for half of the company's store openings this year; the rest were new franchises.
Big O is the third largest tire distribution group in North America, according to Modern Tire Dealer statistics.
"We're looking forward to continued growth in 2002 through attracting new franchisees to the system, expansion among existing Big O dealers and converting independent (tire) dealers to Big O," says David Boeke, Big O's vice president of business development.
