TBC predicts 1,400 Midas locations by 2018

TBC Corp. says its Midas International Corp. subsidiary is on pace to open 25 locations in 2014 and has had 13 consecutive months of same-store sales increases and 4.6% year-to-date sales growth.

TBC and Midas executives discussed plans to grow the business during the company’s 2014 convention. They also reviewed results of a campaign to relaunch the “Midas touch” brand identity that began in 2013. More than 550 Midas franchisees, employees, leadership, and business partners attended the four-day gathering in Las Vegas.

TBC’s President and CEO Erik Olsen discussed the company’s commitment to growing Midas’  retail footprint. The brand, which has 1,300 locations in 50 states and nine Canadian provinces, is on pace to open 25 service centers during 2014. TBC says the growth is part of a plan to have 1,400 locations throughout North America by 2018.

TBC says it is driving the Midas expansion in three ways:

* building new greenfield locations;

* reopening closed locations; and

* recruiting independent operators.

“Midas is very focused on growth and we are excited to partner with entrepreneurs who are ready to build or expand their business,” says Brant Wilson, senior vice president of TBC Franchise. 

TBC says convention attendees received an update on the Midas tire program, which is a key initiative for the brand.

The brand’s 2015 integrated marketing plan will feature six flights of national TV advertising, expanded communications with customers, multiple digital marketing initiatives, a greater presence in social media and a soon-to-launch Intranet upgrade. TBC says the website improvements will give Midas franchisees the ability to monitor online consumer reviews as well as continue their ability to manage their local marketing.

Midas Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Gould announced the brand’s customer-focused culture by introducing the five Midas core values:

* build trust;

* be driven to win;

* create an excellent customer experience;

* pursue and invest in strong relations; and

* be proud of Midas’ past and prepare for the future.

The company also announced “Drive out Hunger,” a North America-wide initiative to support local food banks. The food drive will start Nov. 1 with a “Gift a Meal” campaign on FaceBook in which Midas will donate one meal for every “like” on the page during November and December.      

Midas is one of the world’s largest providers of automotive services, offering brake, maintenance, tires, exhaust, steering and suspension services at more than 2,100 franchised, licensed and company-owned Midas shops in 14 countries, including nearly 1,300 in the United States and Canada. Midas also owns the SpeeDee Oil Change business, with 149 auto service centers in the United States and Mexico.

Midas became a wholly owned subsidiary of TBC Corp. on April 30, 2012.

Headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., TBC is one of the nation's largest marketers of automotive replacement tires and is No. 2 on the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list of the nation’s largest independent dealers.