Discount Tire

Discount Tire was founded in 1960, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, by Bruce T. Halle. After a couple of false starts in other businesses, Halle decided to go into business on his own. He rented an old plumbing supply building on Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor.[4] Halle tidied up the place and hung a sign outside that displayed his stock of six tires (two new and four retreads), and waited for new business. It took three days before Halle received his first customer, and four more before he sold his first tire. Halle admitted to having no real business plan in place when he first opened his doors.[5]

The company grew to over 200 stores by 1990 and opened its 500th store in 2002. On September 10, 2018, Discount Tire opened its 1000th store, a location in Phoenix, AZ.[6] Discount Tire entered the northeast market with a location in Pittsburgh, PA in February 2020.

Discount Tire grew from a one-man operation into the largest retailer of tires and wheels in the world.[7][8] Its growth has been largely attributed to the company's focus on reasonable prices, customer service, and its satisfaction guarantee.[9] Halle understood that for a company to excel in a commodity market, product differentiation was a non-starter and that improving the customer experience could greatly improve the brand's value to consumers.[10]

Halle attributed the company's overall growth and success to its employees, for exhibiting the founder's philosophy: treat people with respect and fairness, always do what is right, care for those in need, work hard, be responsible and have fun.[11] The company built its philosophy around its employees rather than its customers because, as they see it, happy employees make happy customers, not the other way around. Halle taught that success comes from focusing on what each person owes to his family, to future employees and to the next customer coming in the door. Everyone has an unbreakable contract to pay forward to the next customer, the next employee and the next generation.[10] For this reason, Halle promised his employees, "Do a good job, and I’ll provide lifelong opportunity for you."[10]

Discount Tire is no longer owned by Bruce Halle but is owned by Reinalt-Thomas Corp.[12] Halle was the first CEO, followed by Tom Englert, followed by Michael Zuieback, who assumed the CEO position in January 2015.

In the Spring of 2021, Discount Tire started selling Trico windshield wiper blades, its first product sold other than tires or wheels.

Discount Tire announced its acquisition of Tire Rack in December 2021.[3]

In 2005, Discount Tire's "Thank You" commercial entered the Guinness World Records as longest continuously running TV commercial.[13][14] This commercial depicts an old woman played by Maxine Olmstead[15] hurling a tire through a Discount Tire store window as the voice-over says, "If ever you’re not satisfied with one of our tires, please feel free to bring it back. Thank you."[16] The ad first aired in 1975.

Discount Tire sponsors the No. 2 Ford Mustang for Brad Keselowski in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the No. 22 Mustang for Austin Cindric in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Team Penske. It also sponsors Monster Energy AMA Supercross.[17]

Discount Tire is known as America's Tire in Northern and Central California, along with the Greater Los Angeles Area and the Coachella Valley. In Southern California this name is used because of the pre-existence of an unrelated 36-store Discount Tire & Service Centers chain. In the Bay Area, America's Tire is used because of the pre-existence of an independent tire shop known as Discount Tire suburb of Concord. In San Diego County, they operate as Discount Tire.

The company also operates as Discount Tire in Ohio and surrounding states despite the existence of the rival Tire Discounters chain. Despite the similar names, the two chains are unrelated.

• Bruce T. Halle Library