TBC seeks to expand franchise reach

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (April 9, 2013) — TBC Retail Group, claiming the North American automotive aftermarket is "ripe" for small business owners, has launched an incentive-based initiative to expand its Big O Tires, Midas and SpeeDee Oil Change & Tune-Up brands in the U.S. and Canada to meet the needs of motorists in emerging markets.

To get the inititative rolling, TBC is offering potential franchisees to any of the three brand programs a $10,000 discount on the initial franchise fee and an undisclosed discounted royalty fee for the first two years of operation.

The program applies to any locations opened on or after Feb. 1, 2013, TBC said. The franchise agreement must be signed by March 31, 2014, and the store must be opened by March 31, 2015.

The company also is offering several financial incentives to new and existing franchisees.

TBC Retail's franchise business encompasses 1,841 locations in the U.S. and Canada, but the company did not say how many new franchisees or franchised locations it expects the incentives to generate.

"These are exciting times for our franchise system," said Bill Ketchem, vice president of franchise development.

"The market is ripe for today's small business owner. Our franchises provide the freedom of being an independent operator of a highly recognized brand with the support of a multi-billion operation. Not only are we poised for growth, we are well positioned to support that growth."

TBC supports new franchisees with business aspects such as site selection, financing, construction, national marketing support, training and grand opening execution, as well as protected market areas.

To put the incentives into perspective, the franchise fee for the Big O, Midas and SpeeDee brands is $30,000, according to TBC and various franchising infromation sites, while royalties vary from 2 to 6 percent.

Franchises and incentives are not available in all states.

TBC's Big O Tires L.L.C. unit oversees more than 400 franchised and company-owned stores, located primarily in the Western and Midwestern U.S., along with 29 associate dealer locations in western Canada.

TBC counts nearly 1,400 franchised, licensed and company-owned Midas-brand stores in the U.S. and Canada, along with about 850 locations in a dozen other countries. TBC acquired the former Midas Inc. last April in a $310 million deal.

TBC also franchises 160 SpeeDee Oil Change and Tune-Up stores in the U.S. and Mexico, offering fast oil changes and a range of automotive maintenance and repair services. SpeeDee became part of TBC last April as part of the Midas deal.

TBC Retail also operates 922 company-owned retail outlets under the Tire Kingdom, NTB-National Tire & Battery and Merchant's Tire & Auto brands, as well as some company-owned Big O and Midas locations.

For more information on franchise opportunities, contact Mr. Ketchem at [email protected] or 561-383-3100 ext 4322.