Take 5 Oil Change to add 'dozens' of stores in 2018

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Driven Brand Inc. plans to open "dozens" of Take 5 Oil Change locations in 2018, expanding its network of nearly 300 fast-lube stores in 16 states.

The new stores are in addition to 50-plus former Lube Stop locations in Northeastern Ohio that were converted to Take 5 Oil last year. Driven Brands acquired the Lube Stop business in October 2016.

Among new stores opened recently are three in the Tulsa, Okla., market, where Driven Brands is publicizing the openings by sponsoring NASCAR and Sprint Car driver Kasey Kahne for the 2018 Chili Bowl Nationals at the Tulsa Expo Raceway, running Jan. 8-13.

Mr. Kahne's No. 67 race car will carry the Take 5 Oil Change logo on the side of the car for the week's races. Mr. Kahne, a 17-time NASCAR Cup winner, also will appear at one of the Tulsa Take 5 locations at Jan. 13 to greet customers and fans.

Take 5 Oil Change also will exhibit in the Chili Bowl Nationals Trade Show at the raceway.

Summer Nunn, vice president of marketing for Take 5 Oil Change, said, "We're excited to expand our brand in the Tulsa market and be associated with one of the region's most popular events. It will be great to meet the fans at the race, see the Take 5 Oil Change logo racing under the lights and hopefully have Kasey Kahne take it to victory lane."

The Take 5 brand is concentrated in the South, with stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Texas and Virginia, along with the stores in Ohio and now Oklahoma. The first store opened in Metairie, La., in 1984.

Driven Brands also operates 80-plus Econo Lube N'Tune & Brakes locations across the country and franchises the Pro Oil Change business in Canada.