NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bridgestone Retail Operations is planning to open 50 company-owned retail tire stores this year, after a year when the company's store network reported a net gain of about 23 stores.
The business, which operates under the Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works brands, opened 36 stores last year across the U.S., while also pulling out of 13 store leases in the Salt Lake City area.
Bridgestone did not disclose where the new stores opened nor which brands are represented among the 36 new locations.
As such, the company said its store count stood at 2,185 locations at year-end 2019. The 36 stores that opened represent 334 new employees.
Of the 50 new stores Bridgestone plans to open this year, 20 are slated to open before the end of March.
"We hope to continue the success we had in 2019 this year as we work toward our goal of being the most trusted provider of tire and automotive service in every neighborhood we serve," Marko Ibrahim, vice president of stores, Bridgestone Retail Operations, said, noting that the business generated record sales in 2019.