BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – On Jan. 23, Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC (BSRO) will celebrate the opening of its 1,500th Firestone Complete Auto Care facility, located in McHenry, Ill.
BSRO operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world, almost 2,100 tire and service centers across the United States, including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, ExpertTire and Wheel Works store locations.
“We are so proud to have achieved this great milestone,” said Larry Magee, chairman, CEO and president of BSRO. “When Harvey S. Firestone opened the first Firestone Service Center in the early 1900s, opening 1,500 stores was only a dream. We’re proud to have turned that dream into a reality.”
To celebrate the opening of the 1,500th Firestone Complete Auto Care location, the automotive service provider will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. The public celebration will continue through Saturday evening with prizes, refreshments and family fun activities. Former Chicago Bear and Super Bowl XX Kicker Kevin Butler will be on hand to sign autographs from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
“Our Firestone Complete Auto Care locations are important parts of their communities,” said Magee. “Our teammates not only care about the safety of our customers on the roads, they care about the communities in which they live and work each day. We’re excited to be celebrating this milestone location in McHenry, Ill.”
BSRO opened 42 new automotive service locations across the country in 2008 and plans to continue its store expansion program in 2009. With each new store opening, about 12 new employment opportunities are created, according to the company.
