MFA Oil buys Big O interest in partnership

COLUMBIA, Mo. (July 6, 2015) — MFA Oil Co. has purchased Big O Tires' interest in a partnership the companies formed seven years ago.

BORE/MPC L.L.C., a joint venture between MFA and TBC Corp.'s Big O Tires subsidiary, was formed in 1998, with that franchisee owning and operating 14 Big O Tires stores in Camdenton, Columbia, Hollister, Jefferson City, Nixa, Osage Beach, Rolla, Springfield and St. Roberts, Mo., along with outlets in Bentonville and Springdale, Ark.

MFA said it planned to open new stores in Branson, Mo., and Fayetteville, Ark., this year. It did not provide details about the deal's purchase price.

Rusty Coats, MFA Oil director of retail tire operations, called it “a good deal” for the company. “Not only was the cost of the buyout favorable, but the single company ownership will allow us to be quicker and more flexible in our business decisions.”

“As Big O Tires continues to look for opportunities to expand, this purchase will make that process, and others, more efficient,” added Mark Fenner, MFA Oil president and CEO. “And we're very fortunate to have Rusty leading the Big O Tires team with his 40-plus years of experience in the tire and automotive repair business.”

In 2008 BORE/MPC was among three Big O Tires Inc. franchisees in Tire Business' ranking of the top 100 retail dealerships in the nation.