Point S Eyes Expansion, Growth in 2026

Excitement filled the air as Point S USA leaders, owners, families and vendors celebrated another year of growth and announced their 2026 strategy during the group's annual Owners Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz.

At the event, the company announced it added 80 stores this past year to its network, bringing the current number of locations to 464 across 39 states, putting Point S closer to reaching its 500-store target in 50 states within five years.

The company also touted its amplified digital marketing program – which officials said earned Point S over 28 million organic impressions online last year – as well as its effort to grow the Master Shop program and Point S Training Academy for members.

“While some industries slowed down this year, we really hit the gas and kept on moving,” said Walter Lybeck, CEO of Point S USA.

The group laid out its top priorities for this year, including a full-year national partner promotional calendar, enhanced training initiatives and strengthened marketing strategies.

With a renewed focus on branded tire partnerships, the company says it has worked with its Platinum Partners – Hankook Tire America Corp., Dunlop Tires North America (formerly Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc.), Nokian Tyres and Nexen Tire America Inc. – to roll out a promotions plan that will include exclusive offers and will help Point S members reach more customers and drive profits.

“Our owners compete every day on trust and credibility,” said Lybeck. “These partnerships give them the ability to showcase relationships with tier-one and tier-two tire brands in a way that feels intentional and professional.”

While elevating its training efforts, Point S USA is also launching a full calendar of in-person and virtual Point S Training Academy and Master Shop program events. These are exclusive to its members and provide stores with training sessions in areas such as safety and tire construction, tire condition analysis, tire pressure monitoring system basics and customer education.

The Master Shop program is concentrated on teaching owners how to build on business and leadership performance, while the Training Academy is tailored to customer-facing staff members, service advisors and technicians.

“There are a lot of training options in this industry,” said Tony Obillovich, master shop business coach for Point S USA. “What sets these programs apart is that they are built specifically for independent owners. Every training is tied to real operational decisions and real profitability outcomes.”

This year's Point S USA event, which took place February 5-7, also featured several sales and marketing meetings, a vendor show with a wide range of tire, auto and equipment suppliers and entertainment activities such as a golf tournament and racetrack experiences.

As Point S moves ahead this year with a continued effort to support its members, Lybeck said making sure members have the resources, knowledge and partners needed to grow will continue to be the primary goal of the organization.

“The growth we saw in 2025 confirms that independent owners are looking for a cooperative that delivers real value,” said Lybeck. “Our focus in 2026 is to scale that value responsibly and keep the owner at the center of every decision.”