LWG acquires three Big Os, expands into Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa — Leeds West Groups (LWG) is extending its Big O Tires footprint into the state of Iowa.

The Greenwood Village, Colo.-based franchise enterprise recently acquired three Big O Tire locations in Iowa — in Altoona, Ankeny and Urbandale — from Willis Automotive Group, based in Clive.

The acquisitions bring to 38 the number of Big O-branded auto service outlets operated by LWG. All told, LWG now runs 120 Big O, Midas and Speedee Oil Change auto service shops in 18 states.

"Acquisitions are always our No. 1 strategy for growth and we are excited about entering a new market with these Big O Tires locations," Derek Wessels, LWG's COO and president of automotive, said.

"We look forward to continued growth across Iowa and this acquisition does just that."

Willis Automotive is a new and used car dealership with 11 sales/service outlets throughout the greater Des Moines metropolitan area. Willis Automotive has operated the Big O stores since 2019.

LWG owns and operates 13 Midas locations in Iowa, and the transaction brings to 16 the number of LWG locations in the state.

LWG said this is the third state for the firm to have both the Midas and Big O brands within the same markets, joining Colorado and Oklahoma.

LWG Founder and CEO Judd Shader told Tire Business earlier this summer that the group wouldn't stand pat.

"You are going to see us get really aggressive," Shader said. "We've always been aggressive, but ... we're going to accelerate our growth even faster."

Shader said that growth will come by one of three ways:

• Buying out existing Big O or Midas franchisees;
• Purchasing automotive properties that tenants are leaving, then rebranding them as a Big O or Midas outlet; or
• Building from the ground up.