Skip to main content

For accurate pricing and the best experience, please enter your ZIP code.

Tire Discounters Continues Aggressive Southern Growth

Posted on

Tire Discounters, the country’s largest 100% family-owned and operated tire and service provider, announced expansion into new markets this week.

Among the newest additions to the growing Tire Discounters family are best-in-class and family-owned Bulldog Tire and Lightning Auto Glass—both located in greater Atlanta—and Tire Outfitters in Winchester, Va. The company also opened a new store in Lawrenceville, Ga.

According to Jamie Ward, president and CEO of Tire Discounters, Tire Discounters is in the unique position to help family-owned operators like Bulldog Tire, Lightning Auto Glass, and Tire Outfitters grow their businesses. The company specializes in bringing employee support, nationally recognized expertise, and business infrastructure to partnerships with great family-owned operators that have poured their hearts and souls into their businesses. 

“We’re not striving to be the biggest. Our goal continues to be the best. We have been recognized as the best in the markets where we have stores. We will continue to open in really terrific markets where we see an opportunity to grow,” Ward said. 

These recent developments contribute to the company’s potential of opening 60 locations in 2022 through acquisitions and organic growth, which would bring the total number of Tire Discounters stores in the U.S. to well over 200 locations. 

“We are actively looking for family-owned businesses like Bulldog Tire, Lightning Auto Glass, and Tire Outfitters that want to protect their legacy but know that operating an automotive business in today’s world has become more and more challenging,” Ward said. “This is a unique offering and one we are proud to provide. We look forward to welcoming other businesses to the Tire Discounters family with the same commitment.” 

Ga. Market Acquisitions and Expansion

The greater Atlanta acquisitions are a purposeful move. In December of 2020, Tire Discounters added Porterfield Tires’ two retail stores and a commercial outlet and warehouse—which holds a distribution center and has accelerated the company’s expansion in southern states—to the company’s roster. Tire Discounters anticipates adding 30 greater Atlanta locations in 2022. 

“Our excitement for the Atlanta area is huge,” said Ward. “Porterfield has been a fantastic addition to the Tire Discounters family, and we’re excited to add Bulldog Tire, Lightning Auto Glass, and additional family-run stores, which are the heart and soul of the tire business.”

With Bulldog Tire’s acquisition, Tire Discounters adds store locations in suburban Atlanta: Covington, Monroe, and Snellville. Bulldog Tire stores are full-service operations with a focus on new tires, tire services, and auto repair services. Tire Discounters has also acquired Bulldog Tires’ wholesale store, located in Monroe, which will serve as another distribution warehouse for Tire Discounters—the company’s fourth distribution warehouse overall.  

Founded in 1973, the company is a natural addition under the Tire Discounters umbrella because of its commitment to the same family values held by the Cincinnati-based company, as well as its dedication to serving its local communities. 

“Bulldog Tire is a proud brand and business, having served our customers well for many years. Tire Discounters is a fantastic partner for us as we look to strengthen our value proposition with customers and our employees. We look forward to a bright future of continuing to exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Ronnie Ward, Bulldog Tire owner and operator.

Tire Discounters has also added an auto glass company to its roster, Lightning Auto Glass in Chamblee, Ga. A leader in the auto glass industry, the addition doubles Tire Discounters’ auto glass repair and installation business. Tire Discounters currently has a mobile glass and ADAS fleet in its northern markets and a glass store in its hometown of Cincinnati. In mid-November, a mobile glass and ADAS fleet will be rolled out in Tenn. 

“Providing glass and ADAS services is an important initiative to the company. Our expansion with a Georgia-based glass business will only further position Tire Discounters for growth in this area,” said Ward.

“We’re delighted to be entering this new phase with Tire Discounters. Lightning Auto Glass is a family-owned and operated business with a history of great customer service. We are proud to now be a part of another strong family-owned and operated business, with the infrastructure and support systems to really help Lightning take our services to the next level.  We’re excited for the future,” said Dan Keiser, Lightning Auto Glass owner and operator.

Finally, Tire Discounters added a new retail location after renovating a former Tires Plus store in Lawrenceville, Ga., an Atlanta suburb. The store joins Tire Discounters locations in Oglethorpe, Dalton, Watkinsville, and Athens, Ga.

“The Atlanta area is constantly growing and evolving,” said Charles Curlee, vice president of retail sales. “With that comes the growth and evolution of the surrounding areas, like Lawrenceville. We see a market that is primed for the outstanding levels of customer service that only a family-owned business can provide. Tire Discounters is excited to be the ones to provide that level of service and commitment.”

According to Ward, the company is growing quickly and adding stores in areas that don’t currently have access to a Tire Discounters location, noting that the company’s success is tied directly to how it treats customers. 

“As a family-owned and operated business, we treat our customers like family,” he said. “We give our customers the value and quality service they deserve. It’s that simple.”  He continued, “We’re excited to show the growing Georgia market what this means.”

The speed rating of a tire is based on U.S. Government standards for reaching and sustaining a specified speed. Typically, a tire with a higher speed rating results in better handling. Speed ratings apply only to the tire itself, and not to a particular vehicle. Putting a tire rated for a certain speed on a vehicle does not mean that the vehicle can be safely operated at the tire's rated speed.

Tire Load Range refers to the maximum weight a tire can safely support at a specified tire pressure. For Light Trucks and SUVs, ranges are usually expressed using SL (Standard Load) and XL (Extra Load or Reinforced). It can also be represented by letters (e.g., C, D, E), which indicate the tire's ply rating, which traditionally referred to the number of layers of material within the tire.

A higher load range indicates a tire designed to carry heavier loads. For example, a tire with a Load Range E can support more weight than one with a Load Range C. The correct load range is critical for vehicle safety and performance, especially for trucks, trailers, and commercial vehicles.

Tread depth is the distance between the top of the tread rubber to the bottom of the tire's deepest grooves.  In the United States, tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch.

A tire’s maximum load is the maximum amount of weight the tire is designed to hold. The tire’s load carrying capacity is directly related to the tire’s size and amount of inflation pressure that is actually used. Each load range has a assigned air pressure identified in pounds per square inch (psi) at which the tire's maximum load is rated.

A tire’s maximum inflation pressure (PSI) is the highest "cold" inflation pressure that the tire is designed to contain. When measuring a tire’s max PSI, it is important the tire is "cold," because warmer temperatures can cause the tire pressure to temporarily increase resulting with inaccurate readings. This measurement should only be used when called for on the vehicle’s tire placard or in the vehicle’s owners manual.

The mileage warranty of a tire indicates the number of miles that a tire is estimated to last. If a tire fails to last for the number of miles indicated by the warranty, the customer will be given credit from the tire manufacturer toward a new tire based on how many miles short of the estimate the tire fell. Some restrictions apply. 

The total width of the tire, including any raised features on the sidewall. 

This is how many layers of rubber and other materials are in the tire.  

The represents the smallest and widest size wheels that are recommended by the tire manufacturer for the tire to be mounted on. 

 

 

The measurement, in inches, from rim flange to the other rim flange. 

The maximum width of a wheel that a tire can be put onto. 

The minimum width of a wheel that a tire can be put onto.  

A tire's section width (also called "cross section width") is the measurement of the tire's width from its inner sidewall to its outer sidewall (excluding any protective ribs, decorations or raised letters) at the widest point. 

What makes up a tire; each ply, the sidewall, the tread, and bead.  

This number will tell you how well the tire will disperse heat buildup. 

This is how much weight a tire is rated to hold.

Mounting and Balancing – up to $159.96 pending wheel diameter

Lifetime Rotation – $299.90 

Lifetime Balancing – $449.90 

Lifetime Tire Pressure Adjustments – $16 

Rubber Valve Stems – $8

Tire Repair** – $140

Total = $1,073.76


*Estimate based on 4-tire purchase of 60,000-mile tires. 

**Excludes: Under 40 series, run-flats, mud tires, trailer tires, off-road vehicles, and any tire over six (6) years old.  Other exclusions may apply.

TD will repair flat tires as long as it can be done safely in accordance with Tire Industry Association (TIA) Guidelines.  Excludes: Under 40 series, run-flats, mud tires, trailer tires, off-road vehicles, and any tire over six (6) years old.  Other exclusions may apply.  See store for details.  

National accounts and local fleet not included.

Free Alignment with 4-Tire Purchase

National accounts not included.  Other exclusions may apply.

Mounting & Balancing  $76

Lifetime Tire Pressure Adjustments $16

Rubber Valve Stems $8

Lifetime Rotation $240

Total = $340

*Estimate based on 4-tire purchase of 60,000 mile tires. 

Our Nationwide Worry Free Guarantee offers FREE unlimited Tire Repairs for the entire life of your tires. If your tire can't be fixed and is over 3/32" tread, no worries, we will give you a replacement tire at any time, up to 3 years. We'll even help get your tire changed by including reimbursement for Roadside Assistance (up to $75) for the first 12 months at no additional cost. Effective: August 24, 2017. For complete details, see our warranty at any Tire Discounters location.

Components of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor wears over time.

A TPMS Service Kit is suggested each time a tire/wheel is serviced. If left unchanged, over time, these components of the TPMS may corrode, leak or fail.

Tire/wheel service is defined as when tire is removed from the wheel.