Straightaway Tire & Auto Names COO

Straightaway Tire & Auto has named Brian Bates as its chief operating officer.

Bates, a co-founding partner of Straightaway Tire & Auto, will oversee the company's operations, field leadership development and growth strategy "as the company continues to expand its footprint nationwide," according to Straightaway Tire & Auto officials.

An ASE L1 Master Technician, Bates opened his first shop in 2004 and grew it into EAS Tire & Auto, a thriving, multi-location operation in Colorado. "This led him to co-found Straightaway in 2023, helping to establish the company as one of the fastest-growing automotive repair platforms in the country."

"Brian is passionate about Straightaway and about building something truly distinct in the automotive industry," said John Teddy, CEO of Straightaway Tire & Auto. "He grew up in auto repair, starting on the shop floor, making him uniquely aware of what matters most to our customers, what our front-line team members need to thrive and what our brand leaders require to scale and innovate. And perhaps most telling, his peers wanted him in this role. Titles don't define true leaders. They rise naturally to the occasion and Brian is a perfect example of that."

"It is gratifying and humbling to step into this role," says Bates. "I started as a shop owner - answering phones, selling jobs and turning wrenches - and those experiences will always shape how I lead. My priorities as COO are clear: build scalable systems and processes, invest in our people and ensure every shop feels fully part of the Straightaway family."