Big O Tires, one of North America’s largest retail tire franchisors with more than 400 independently-owned and operated locations in 23 states, expanded its brand in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri in partnership with Mark Rhee and Western Automotive Ventures. Rhee, an existing franchisee of the Big O Tires brand with 12 locations in Nevada, now owns and operates 56 locations.

“We’re excited about our expansion and the opportunity to partner with Mark and his team again to bring ‘the team you trust’ to Minnesota and to serve even more customers in Iowa, Kansas and Missouri,” recognized John Kairys, vice president and general manager of Big O Tires. “Mark is an exceptional businessman and industry leader and we’re fortunate to expand the brand with him.”

The locations were formerly NTB Tire & Service Center locations.

“After careful consideration, we believe that this agreement is an exciting way for TBC to leverage an asset that will provide significant growth to Big O Tires; and will prove to be beneficial to our associates, consumers, franchises and corporation as a whole for years to come,” said Erik Olsen, president and CEO, TBC Corp.

“The growth of the Big O Tires brand continues as we evaluate opportunities, including multi-unit agreements with franchisees to develop territories over several years that will expand dramatically our footprint and unit counts in the future, all in the best interest of the brand,” said Lenny Valentino, vice president of franchise development for TBC Corp. “Over the past two years, we have opened more than 75 stores and expanded the Big O Tires brand into three new states with both new and existing franchisees.”

“This opportunity was a unique one for us in that we had an existing franchisee, who has experienced much success with the Big O brand, interested in growing his portfolio,” said Brant Wilson, senior vice president of franchise operations for TBC Corp.

“We are super excited about our expansion with Big O Tires,” said Rhee, president of Western Automotive Ventures. “The opportunity to grow our respective companies through this partnership was one that just felt right in all aspects and all of our company family team members and I are looking forward to bringing the Western Automotive Ventures mark of excellence to the people of Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.”