Tire Discounters Continues Aggressive Southern Growth

This entry was posted on Dec 2, 2021 by Tire Discounters.

Tire Discounters, the country’s largest 100% family-owned and operated tire and service provider, announced expansion into new markets this week. Among the newest additions to the growing Tire Discounters family are best-in-class and family-owned Bulldog Tire and Lightning Auto Glass—both located in greater Atlanta—and Tire Outfitters in Winchester, Va. The company also opened a new store in Lawrenceville, Ga.

According to Jamie Ward, president and CEO of Tire Discounters, Tire Discounters is in the unique position to help family-owned operators like Bulldog Tire, Lightning Auto Glass and Tire Outfitters grow their businesses. The company specializes in bringing employee support, nationally recognized expertise, and business infrastructure to partnerships with great family-owned operators that have poured their hearts and souls into their businesses. 

“We’re not striving to be the biggest. Our goal continues to be the best. We have been recognized the best in the markets where we have stores. We will continue to open in really terrific markets where we see an opportunity to grow,” Ward said. 

These recent developments contribute to the company’s potential of opening 60 locations in 2022 through acquisitions and organic growth, which would bring the total number of Tire Discounters stores in the U.S. to well over 200 locations. 

“We are actively looking for family-owned businesses like Bulldog Tire, Lightning Auto Glass and Tire Outfitters that want to protect their legacy but know that operating an automotive business in today’s world has become more and more challenging,” Ward said. “This is a unique offering and one we are proud to provide. We look forward to welcoming other businesses to the Tire Discounters family with the same commitment.” 

Ga. Market Acquisitions and Expansion

The greater Atlanta acquisitions are a purposeful move. In December of 2020, Tire Discounters added Porterfield Tires’ two retail stores and a commercial outlet and warehouse—which holds a distribution center and has accelerated the company’s expansion in southern states—to the company’s roster. Tire Discounters anticipates adding 30 greater Atlanta locations in 2022. 

“Our excitement for the Atlanta area is huge,” said Ward. “Porterfield has been a fantastic addition to the Tire Discounters family, and we’re excited to add Bulldog Tire, Lightning Auto Glass and additional family-run stores, which are the heart and soul of the tire business.”

With Bulldog Tire’s acquisition, Tire Discounters adds store locations in suburban Atlanta: Covington, Monroe and Snellville. Bulldog Tire stores are full-service operations with a focus on new tires, tire services and auto repair services. Tire Discounters has also acquired Bulldog Tires’ wholesale store, located in Monroe, which will serve as another distribution warehouse for Tire Discounters—the company’s fourth distribution warehouse overall.  

Founded in 1973, the company is a natural addition under the Tire Discounters umbrella because of its commitment to the same family values held by the Cincinnati-based company, as well as its dedication to serving its local communities. 

“Bulldog Tire is a proud brand and business, having served our customers well for many years. Tire Discounters is a fantastic partner for us as we look to strengthen our value proposition with customers and our employees. We look forward to a bright future of continuing to exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Ronnie Ward, Bulldog Tire owner and operator.

Tire Discounters has also added an auto glass company to its roster, Lightning Auto Glass in Chamblee, Ga. A leader in the auto glass industry, the addition doubles Tire Discounters’ auto glass repair and installation business. Tire Discounters currently has a mobile glass and ADAS fleet in its northern markets and a glass store in its hometown of Cincinnati. In mid-November, a mobile glass and ADAS fleet will be rolled out in Tenn. 

“Providing glass and ADAS services is an important initiative to the company. Our expansion with a Georgia-based glass business will only further position Tire Discounters for growth in this area,” said Ward.

“We’re delighted to be entering this new phase with Tire Discounters. Lightning Auto Glass is a family-owned and operated business with a history of great customer service. We are proud to now be a part of another strong family-owned and operated business, with the infrastructure and support systems to really help Lightning take our services to the next level.  We’re excited for the future,” said Dan Keiser, Lightning Auto Glass owner and operator.

Finally, Tire Discounters added a new retail location after renovating a former Tires Plus store in Lawrenceville, Ga., an Atlanta suburb. The store joins Tire Discounters locations in Oglethorpe, Dalton, Watkinsville and Athens, Ga.

“The Atlanta area is constantly growing and evolving,” said Charles Curlee, vice president of retail sales. “With that comes the growth and evolution of the surrounding areas, like Lawrenceville. We see a market that is primed for the outstanding levels of customer service that only a family-owned business can provide. Tire Discounters is excited to be the ones to provide that level of service and commitment.”

According to Ward, the company is growing quickly and adding stores in areas that don’t currently have access to a Tire Discounters location, noting that the company’s success is tied directly to how it treats customers. 

“As a family-owned and operated business, we treat our customers like family,” he said. “We give our customers the value and quality service they deserve. It’s that simple.”

He continued, “We’re excited to show the growing Georgia market what this means.”