Larry Sutton, RNR find success in family

TAMPA, Fla. — When Larry Sutton, founder and CEO of RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels (RNR), speaks in his deep, smooth Southern drawl, he comes off more like a longtime friend than the leader of one of the fastest-growing tire and custom wheel franchise programs in the country.

His down-to-earth nature, according to his son and RNR Executive Vice President Adam Sutton, is his greatest attribute and an important key to the company's growth.

"One of the reasons we've had success is because he cares for the (employees and franchisees). It's always been a family environment," Adam Sutton said. "It's about empowering our people to rise."

RNR opened its first location in 2000 in Tampa under "Rent-n-Roll" signage. Mr. Sutton, who prior to that had a long career in the rent-to-own industry, looked to apply the same model to wheels, and eventually tires.

An acquaintance of Mr. Sutton's, Mike Kent, wanted to open a business using the same model.

"So, I said, 'Sure,' and I gave him the paperwork and materials to get going," Mr. Sutton said. "But he said, 'No, I don't want to do something like what you're doing. I want to do the exact same thing.' "

Mr. Sutton laughs when he talks about it. He was just happy to help out a friend. Instead, in 2003, Mr. Sutton's franchise program was born.

Today, there are 125 RNR locations operating in 24 states, with more on the way. Mr. Sutton said the goal is to have 25 units open a year.

"We've had rapid growth in the last three to five years," Adam Sutton said. He said he believes the pay-as-you-go model will continue to grow in popularity.

"If you think about the economy, not everyone can afford (new wheels and tires). We are literally the perfect solution."

"Family" is a word both men use often when talking about RNR. According to the company, more than half of the brand's franchisees are father-son business partnerships.

"The better portion of franchisees are family," Larry Sutton said.

"I think you have a lot of fathers who want to invest in something in the future and find something to leave behind. And that's attracting people to (RNR)."

So, it comes as no surprise that, in 2017, Larry reached out to his son to rejoin the business full time.

"I really needed some help, and I needed a serious player," the elder Mr. Sutton said. So, he invited Adam out to lunch and presented him with an offer.

At the time, Adam had recently left a career in marketing — which included managing brands like Microsoft, Disney, Under Armour and Oprah — because he wanted to spend more time with his wife and three children.

"It was a God moment, …" the younger Mr. Sutton said on the offer from his father. "Returning to work with my father was a childhood dream — to be back working with my mentor.

"We've always had a unique relationship," Adam said. "Even before I was working with him, people would say, 'You are more than father and son; you are friends.'"

Though Adam was off forging his own path, he said he was never too far away from the company. He was there at the start, and in later years, Larry described his son as "an unpaid board member."

The elder Mr. Sutton said they complement each other well because of their differing set of skills.

"We certainly don't agree on everything," Adam Sutton said, "but neither of us have the type of ego to let it interfere in our relationship.

"And that's the great thing about my father. … He cares about people, and it's his entrepreneurial spirit to want people to succeed."

Adam said RNR gives franchisees the formula and guidance to be successful, but there is a lot of freedom.

"We'll be as hands on or hands off as they want. … And that flexibility has become the reason for some of our greatest success."