Meineke did not say whether it will operate these centers as corporate stores or seek to franchise them.
With the purchase, Meineke will have 36 locations in Georgia, including 31 in the Atlanta metro area and, all told, more than 890 locations in the U.S., in 47 states, 51 in Canada and 24 in Mexico.
The company did not provide information as to how many locations are franchised vs. corporate controlled.
Mr. Sands and his wife Sherri founded America's Service Station in 2001, starting with four former Mobile Car Care locations they purchased from Mr. Sands' previous employer, according to information posted on the firm's website.
Mr. Sands has worked in the auto service and repair industry since 1993, including time with Mobile Car Care as a store manager in Houston.
Converting the CAA Car Care Centres in Ontario to Meineke Car Care Centres will expand the Meineke network in Canada to 51 stores, primarily in Ontario, Driven Brands said.
CAA South Central Ontario said it exited the automotive repair business in order to focus on the products and services its members value most—namely roadside assistance, travel and insurance. The auto club put the centers up for sale last September.
The centers will be operated by three existing franchisees, Meineke said, including former Toronto Maple Leafs hockey great Wendel Clark, who will take over three locations. Mr. Clark, who played in the National Hockey League from 1985 to 2000, opened his first Meineke center last year in Vaughan, Ontario, and earned “Garage of the Year” from Service Station Garage Management in the first year of business.
Mr. Clark, who scored 367 goals and made 266 assists during his 15-year career, primarily with Toronto Maple Leafs, also is a spokesman for Meineke Canada, appearing in video commercials.