HOUSTON — RNR Tire Express continues to grow its presence in the Lone Star State.
The national franchisor of the RNR Tire rent-to-own tires and custom wheels retail concept has struck deals with franchisees in Texas to open several locations, including one in Houston and six in the Fort Worth market.
According to RNR, local entrepreneurs Taos Ford and Benito Olson will own and operate the new Houston location, which will be open to the public in early 2023.
Meanwhile the Clarke family — the family has declined to disclose their first names — will open six locations over the coming five years. The first store is expected to open no later than May 2023.
The new stores will complement 16 RNR Tire Express stores open already in Texas,
While financial details were not disclosed, RNR said the average cost for franchisees to get up and running with the brand is between $500,000 and $1 million. When the locations open, there will be 173 RNR franchises in the U.S. in 27 states, including 22 operated by RNR Tire itself.
According to RNR, the Clarkes have 15 years of experience in the franchise sector.
Business owners Ford and Olson are passionate about the automotive industry, RNR said, and when one of Ford's employees introduced him to the RNR franchise concept, Ford approached Olson about investing in the brand together.
RNR said the pair visited several existing locations and after meeting with the RNR executive team in Tampa, "were equally impressed with and enamored by the professionalism, culture, commitment, look and design that the franchise displayed."
Ford said the partners are thrilled to bring "affordable luxury" for tires and wheels to Houston.
"We were looking to get involved with a business that makes their franchisees feel like family," Ford said. "When we met with RNR's executive team, they exceeded our expectations and truly made us feel like we belonged."
Meanwhile the Clarke family plans to open six franchises around Fort Worth, with the first one set to open at a location currently being remodeled in Arlington, Texas.
Between six and 10 employees will be hired at each location.
"To bring the first ever RNR Tire Express to Dallas/Fort Worth means the world to us, as residents will finally have a place to go for quality, accessibility and affordability," the Clarkes said in a statement.
"When we first spoke with the team at RNR, we were sold on its structure and dedication toward franchisees, which will translate into providing our local community with an unforgettable experience."
RNR said it was important to open the franchises in and around Fort Worth because it is "a leading market in the Southwest, and growing fast. Being able to plant roots in the area is crucial not just in a business and visibility sense, but in being able to live up to our brand ethos of positively impacting as many people and communities as we can."
"As the RNR brand continues to grow within the market over the coming years, we fully expect to shift the public's standards for excellence in our field," RNR Tire Express CEO and founder Sutton said. "More still, the success that the Clarke family achieves with these initial RNR venues will prime the surrounding areas for further investment down the road."
RNR was founded in 2000 by rent-to-own veteran Larry Sutton. The entity offers customers a no hassle payment plans that fit each's budget in a growing market of underserved consumers.
The brand ranked No. 237 in Franchise Times' Top 500 list for 2022 and was also recognized by Inc. magazine as one of America's fastest-growing private companies. Most recently, RNR was ranked No. 133 in Entrepreneur Magazine's 2021 Franchise 500 ranking and No. 1 in the tires and wheels category.
