ATLANTA (June 15, 2006) — TBC Corp. has taken over three former Great American Tire Co. stores in the Atlanta area and converted them to a new format, NTB Rapid Lube, which offers a “24 Guaranteed” program covering 24 automotive services in 24 minutes for $24.
TBC/National Tire & Battery is using the “Rapid Lube” name with permission of Shell Oil Co., which coined it several years ago for its own quick lube outlets. TBC is featuring Pennzoil lubrication products at the NTB Rapid Lube stores. Pennzoil is a Shell brand.
The three stores – in Alpharetta, Cumming and Roswell, Ga. — each have four service bays dedicated to the quick lube business along with eight bays reserved for traditional auto and tire service, according to Bob Crostarosa, vice president of marketing.
The new service was born out of the understanding that car owners need comprehensive maintenance services made more convenient and affordable,” according to Mr. Crostarosa, who said the new concept will allow NTB to expand its service offerings into other maintenance areas.
The Great American Tire stores had been closed for several months, Mr. Crostarosa said, before TBC took them over and rebadged them. They opened for business June 9.
The new stores will be open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are not needed for service.
TBC also took over a Great American Tire store in McKinney, Texas, and intends to reopen it as an NTB Rapid Lube location.
As former Great American Tire stores, each location is sited adjacent to a Shell Oil service station. This was the Great American Tire concept launched five years ago with financial backing from Shell Oil.
Two other Great American Tire locations, in Hunters Hill and Oakbrook, Colo., were bought by Vince Pridemore, who operates them now as Pride Auto Care.