At this year’s Big O Tires Convention & Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky, Big O leadership and franchisees gathered to discuss the company’s growth, franchise strategy and long-term goals for the dealer network. The event featured more than 60 vendors and brought together franchisees from across Big O’s more than 470 locations.

In this episode of What’s Treading, we speak with Big O Tires COO Gary Skidmore about balancing new store growth with same-store sales growth as the franchise network continues expanding.

Growth and Franchise Alignment

Big O added 14 stores in 2025, a record for the company. But, according to Skidmore, growth only works if franchisees and corporate leadership remain aligned on long-term goals and operational strategy.

He explains that Big O’s focus is not simply on opening more locations, but finding franchisees that fit the company’s culture and structure as the network grows.