TAMPA, Fla.—The number of franchised RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheel locations could more than double by 2018 to 250, according to new agreements signed with existing and new franchisees, the Tampa-based franchisor dis-closed recently.
Three existing franchise owners—Shannon Strunk in the Southeast, David David in Indiana and the Rose family in Virginia—have agreed to add 75 stores in the next 10 years to their existing multi-unit franchise agreements, according to Larry Sutton, founder and CEO of RNR.
“It makes me feel good to know that our system is growing by ensuring that our existing owners can continue to expand their stores into new areas,” Mr. Sutton said.
“We are on track to have between 95 and 100 stores opened at the end of 2016,” RNR Vice President Vince Ficarrotta said. “We have had enormous interest from investors who want to get into the business, and I would suspect that we continue to grow at a significant rate over the next five years.”
Mr. Strunk, who owns a dozen stores throughout the Southeast, has agreed to add 58 locations, RNR said. Mr. David plans to add five locations in Indiana to the two already open there. The Rose Family plans to add a dozen stores in Virginia to the seven operating there now, according to RNR.
Messrs. Sutton and Ficarrotta did not mention another growth area, Kansas, where a business partnership involving rent-- to-own industry veteran Tim Daniel and existing RNR franchise partner Geron Vail reportedly is planning to open 13 stores in the Jayhawk state. A store in Wichita, Kan., opened earlier this year.
RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels—with locations in 22 states—offers retail, lease-to-own and other payment options to tire and/or wheel buyers who need to keep their cash or desire to customize their vehicle.
“In today's economy, purchasing a new set of tires has become prohibitive for many consumers,” Mr. Sutton said, “and RNR provides options that make the transaction affordable.”
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