Big O Tires
Encyclopedia
Big O Tires, LLC. is North America
's largest franchiser
of tire
retailers. It is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado
, and has more than 540 franchises in 21 U.S. state
s and Canada
. It sells its own Big O private brand
tires and other brands. In addition to selling and servicing tires, wheels, and alignments, Big O Tires provides basic maintenance and replacement services such as oil changes, battery replacement, struts installation, and brake service. Because Big O Tires is a wholly owned subsidiary
of TBC Corporation
, its franchisees are located in markets not served by the TBC-owned Tire Kingdom, NTB
, and Merchant Tire chains.
, which also owns Tire Kingdom, NTB
, and Merchant Tire. In 2006, TBC was acquired by Sumitomo Corporation
of America. Big O Tires remains a wholly owned subsidiary
of TBC Corporation.
In a landmark case in 1977, Big O Tires was awarded $19.6 million from Goodyear
over Goodyear's use of the name "bigfoot" tires. The amount equaled 25% of Goodyear's advertising budget in the states where Big O operated. The amount was reduced on appeal and the case was later settled.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
's largest franchiser
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
of tire
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
retailers. It is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado
Centennial, Colorado
The city of Centennial is a Home Rule City located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States, and part of the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area. The city was to have a total population of 100,377 in 2010 census. Centennial is the tenth-most populous municipality in the state of Colorado and its...
, and has more than 540 franchises in 21 U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
s and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It sells its own Big O private brand
Private brand
Private branding is when a large distribution channel member , buys from a manufacturer in bulk and puts its own name on the product. This strategy is, with some exceptions, generally only practical when the retailer does very high levels of volume...
tires and other brands. In addition to selling and servicing tires, wheels, and alignments, Big O Tires provides basic maintenance and replacement services such as oil changes, battery replacement, struts installation, and brake service. Because Big O Tires is a wholly owned subsidiary
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
of TBC Corporation
TBC Corporation
The TBC Corporation, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida was a publicly-traded corporation from 1983 to its purchase by the Sumitomo Corporation in 2005...
, its franchisees are located in markets not served by the TBC-owned Tire Kingdom, NTB
National Tire and Battery
National Tire and Battery is an American brand of auto service centers. It was formerly owned by Sears until it was spun off in 2003.Sears created the brand in 1997 by consolidating the Tire America and National Tire Warehouse brands, adding the "B" to include its DieHard brand of batteries...
, and Merchant Tire chains.
History
The company was founded in 1962, when it split from OK Tires. In 1996, it was acquired by TBC CorporationTBC Corporation
The TBC Corporation, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida was a publicly-traded corporation from 1983 to its purchase by the Sumitomo Corporation in 2005...
, which also owns Tire Kingdom, NTB
National Tire and Battery
National Tire and Battery is an American brand of auto service centers. It was formerly owned by Sears until it was spun off in 2003.Sears created the brand in 1997 by consolidating the Tire America and National Tire Warehouse brands, adding the "B" to include its DieHard brand of batteries...
, and Merchant Tire. In 2006, TBC was acquired by Sumitomo Corporation
Sumitomo Corporation
Sumitomo Corporation is one of the largest worldwide trading company , and is a diversified corporation. Sumitomo is headquartered in the Harumi Island Triton Square Office Tower Y in Chūō, Tokyo, Japan...
of America. Big O Tires remains a wholly owned subsidiary
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
of TBC Corporation.
In a landmark case in 1977, Big O Tires was awarded $19.6 million from Goodyear
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling. Goodyear manufactures tires for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, SUVs, race cars, airplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery....
over Goodyear's use of the name "bigfoot" tires. The amount equaled 25% of Goodyear's advertising budget in the states where Big O operated. The amount was reduced on appeal and the case was later settled.