Is Big O Tires right for you?
Established Scale
461 franchised locations with 454 stores reporting full-year 2025 data in the the financial-performance disclosure.
Supplier Integration
Franchisees purchase 80 percent or more of tires and related products through Big O and approved suppliers, creating volume-based rebates and program support.
Protected Trade Area
Non-exclusive territory with a limit of one additional Big O store per 50,000 residents and a protected 2-mile radius.
About Big O Tires
Big O Tires, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of TBC Corporation and has offered retail tire and automotive service franchises since 1980. Headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the brand operates 461 franchised stores across 24 states as of year-end 2025. Franchisees sell and service Big O branded tires plus major national brands while providing related maintenance and repair services through a network supported by regional distribution centers.
Franchisees operate 4,000 to 10,000 square foot retail stores focused on tire sales, wheel alignment, brakes, suspension, and general automotive service. The model requires a minimum inventory of 700 tire units with the majority being Big O or designated exclusive brands sourced primarily through the franchisor. Stores benefit from national fleet account programs, warranty offerings, and marketing funds that support both local and national advertising.
TBC Corporation is a Delaware corporation that markets and distributes tires and other products for the automotive replacement market and sells products and supplies services to Big O franchisees. Big O Tires, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary through TBC Shared Services, LLC.
The business model
How a Big O Tires territory actually makes money at the unit level.
Initial Franchise Fee
Standard fee is $17,500. Qualifying existing franchisees, full-time employees, veterans and first responders may qualify for reduced or waived fees. A $10,000 deposit is due with the franchise application.
Ongoing Fees
Royalty ranges from 3.5 percent to 5.0 percent of Adjusted Gross Sales based on the royalty matrix, with lower rates of 2 percent on national accounts, farm tires and excess service sales. Marketing contribution is a minimum of 4 percent of Gross Sales, currently reduced to 3.6 percent plus 0.9 percent National Marketing Fee under certain programs.
Investment Range
Total initial investment ranges from $543,500 to $2,738,000. Major components include real estate leases or purchases, equipment, leasehold improvements, opening inventory, signs, computer systems and working capital. Estimates assume a prototypical 7,253 square foot store.
Supply Chain Control
Franchisees must purchase Big O private brand tires and a majority of inventory exclusively through Big O or approved suppliers. The franchisor earns revenue from product sales, rebates, and volume incentives disclosed in the the filed disclosures.
Financial Performance Representation
the financial-performance disclosure discloses average annual gross revenues and detailed income statement data for qualifying stores. 41.9 percent of the 454 stores exceeded the reported average gross revenue.
System Stability
Net unit change was positive 26 stores in 2023, positive 2 in 2024, and negative 1 in 2025. All company-owned outlets have been closed.
Quick facts
Initial franchise fee
$17,500
Total investment range
$543,500 to $2,738,000
Royalty
3.50% of gross revenue
Marketing fund
4.00% of gross revenue
Founded
1982
Headquarters
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Active US franchisees
60
Total US units
69
Training & support
What the franchisor + parent platform provide. And what they don't.
What's provided
- +16 hours of online training completed at the franchisee's chosen location
- +60 hours of facilitated classroom training at a location designated by the franchisor
- +140 hours of field training and certification at an operating Big O store
- +Access to the operations manual, recommended pricing, vendor programs and online learning management system
- +Ongoing regional training, field support and marketing programs available, some for additional fees
Honest disclosure: what's NOT provided
Big O does not provide training on real estate selection, construction management or lease negotiation beyond general guidance. Advanced or specialized technical training beyond the initial program is available only for a fee.
Multi-unit growth path
Existing franchisees may qualify for a reduced $10,000 initial franchise fee on additional stores. Market reservation agreements are available for a fee between $2,500 and $6,000 to secure option rights on future locations. Multi-unit operators benefit from economies in purchasing, shared staff training and centralized accounting. The the filed disclosures does not disclose specific multi-unit ownership statistics.
Capital + financing paths
Most operators use one of these four paths to fund the initial investment.
SBA 7(a) Loan Program
Many Big O franchisees utilize SBA-backed loans for equipment, leasehold improvements and working capital. The brand is eligible under standard SBA franchise lender guidelines.
Equipment and Inventory Financing
TBC Corporation and approved suppliers may offer financing or leasing programs for tires, equipment and point-of-sale systems. Third-party lenders are commonly used for vehicle lifts and alignment equipment.
Veterans and First Responders Incentives
Qualifying veterans and first responders receive a full waiver of the initial franchise fee, reducing upfront cash requirements.
Conventional Bank and Alternative Lenders
Franchisees with strong personal credit and liquidity typically secure conventional loans or lines of credit. Real estate purchase may be financed separately through commercial mortgage lenders.
Process timeline: inquiry → grand opening
Typical 12-16 week path from first call to launching your first customer route.
Application and Qualification
Submit application with $10,000 deposit. Big O reviews financial qualifications, experience and credit.
Discovery and Validation
Attend discovery day, review the filed disclosures in detail, speak with existing franchisees and visit operating stores.
Franchise Agreement Execution
Sign franchise agreement, pay remaining initial franchise fee, and secure market reservation if applicable.
Site Selection and Buildout
Identify and secure location within the approved trade area. Complete construction, remodeling, signage and initial inventory ordering.
Training and Certification
Complete 16 hours online, 60 hours facilitated and 140 hours field training. Install POS system and prepare for opening.
Grand Opening and Launch
Execute grand opening marketing program. Begin operations with ongoing field support from Big O.
Ongoing Operations
Utilize national accounts, marketing funds, warranty programs and regional distribution support to drive sales.
Match assessment
Are you a Big O Tires match?
12 questions. Math-first. No high-pressure sales call afterwards. Just your match assessment and the reasoning behind it.
Start nowCommon questions
How much does a Big O Tires franchise cost?
Total initial investment ranges from $543,500 to $2,738,000 according to the investment disclosure of the 2025 the filed disclosures. The standard franchise fee is $17,500.
What is the Big O Tires franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $17,500. Qualifying veterans, first responders, existing franchisees and certain employees may receive reduced or waived fees.
Does Big O Tires provide financial performance representations?
Yes. the financial-performance disclosure discloses average gross revenues for 454 stores and detailed income statement data for 288 stores for calendar year 2025. 41.9 percent of stores exceeded the average gross revenue.
What is the royalty fee for Big O Tires?
Royalty is based on a matrix currently ranging from 3.5 percent to 5.0 percent of Adjusted Gross Sales. Reduced rates of 2 percent apply to national accounts, farm tires and excess service sales.
How many Big O Tires locations are there?
There were 461 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. All company-owned stores have been closed.
Does Big O Tires offer exclusive territory rights?
Territories are non-exclusive. The franchisor will not open or franchise more than one additional store per 50,000 residents within the defined trade area. A 2-mile protected radius is granted with approval.
What training does Big O Tires provide?
Initial training consists of 16 hours online, 60 hours facilitated classroom and 140 hours of field training at an operating store. Ongoing support and optional training are available, some for additional fees.
Big O Tires vs. other tire franchises: how do they compare?
Big O emphasizes private brand tire sales through its parent TBC Corporation supply chain. The model includes national fleet programs and a disclosed the financial-performance disclosure with 454 stores reporting 2025 results. Competitors vary in royalty structure, supplier requirements and financial disclosure detail.
Are Big O Tires franchisees required to buy products from the franchisor?
Yes. Franchisees must purchase Big O branded tires and a majority of inventory from Big O or approved suppliers. Approximately 80 percent of tire purchases flow through the franchisor network.
How profitable are Big O Tires franchises?
the financial-performance disclosure reports average gross revenues, gross profit, operating expenses and net income from operations for qualifying stores. Individual results vary significantly by location, management and local market conditions. The the filed disclosures cautions that there is no assurance a new franchisee will achieve similar results.
Can I open multiple Big O Tires locations?
Yes. Existing franchisees may qualify for reduced initial fees on additional stores. Market reservation agreements are available to secure development rights in defined areas.
What is the average revenue of a Big O Tires store?
the financial-performance disclosure of the the filed disclosures discloses average annual gross revenues for 454 qualifying stores open at least 12 months in 2025. 41.9 percent of those stores exceeded the reported average.
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