Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: RNR Tire Express combines tire and wheel retail with flexible payment options, multiple revenue streams and comprehensive franchisee support.
RNR Tire Express is a national retail franchise specializing in safe, quality tires and custom wheels. Known for its flexible, affordable payment options, the brand accommodates a wide range of budgets by offering rent-to-own and pay-as-you-go programs alongside standard retail purchasing.
RNR Tire Express was founded in Tampa, Florida, in 2000 by Larry Sutton. After selling his successful rent-to-own TV and appliance business in 1997, Sutton realized he could apply his flexible-payment expertise to the automotive sector so that everyday consumers could afford safe, quality tires and custom wheels. Since its founding, RNR Tire Express has grown into one of the largest retail tire chains in the United States.
Mission: To be the best tire and wheel concept in America by delivering quality products, exceptional customer care, and flexible payment options that meet customers' needs.
Vision: "Changed Lives, Changing Lives." To make a meaningful difference in the lives of our customers, team members, and communities by creating opportunities, building lasting relationships, and helping families stay safely on the road.
RNR Tire Express offers franchise opportunities in select markets nationwide, with previously identified expansion targets including Denver, Las Vegas, Nashville, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Pennsylvania and the Northeast.
Current availability can be confirmed directly through the RNR franchise development team or by contacting [email protected].
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of an RNR Tire Express franchise ranges from $718,561 to $1,787,275. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Location Study/Demographic Analysis Fee | $500 | $500 |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Rent (3 Months) | $15,000 | $45,000 |
| Security Deposits | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $100,000 | $400,000 |
| Shop Equipment | $11,000 | $200,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Décor | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Vehicle (3 Months) | $2,100 | $2,700 |
| Computer Hardware & Software | $5,186 | $28,800 |
| Initial Inventory | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| Blueprints, Licenses & Permits | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Signage | $20,000 | $60,000 |
| Insurance Annual Premium | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $36,000 | $102,000 |
| Change Fund | $300 | $300 |
| Professional Fees | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Travel Expenses for Training | $15,400 | $22,400 |
| Salaries for Training & Pre-Opening | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Tire Industry Association (TIA) Membership | $180 | $180 |
| Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) Membership | $395 | $395 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $300,000 | $600,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial fee for an RNR Tire Express location is $45,000, which is due upon signing the franchise agreement.
Eligible franchisees may sign a multi-unit development agreement. Under this agreement, RNR Tire Express charges a development fee of $45,000 for the first store, $40,000 each for the second and third stores, $30,000 each for the fourth and fifth stores and $20,000 for each additional store. The full development fee is due when the agreement is signed and is applied toward the initial franchise fees for each location.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, RNR Tire Express franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross revenue/month |
| Local Advertising | 5% of gross revenue/month |
| Software Support Fee | $1,000/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 176 franchises operating for the entirety of 2025 reported the following annual gross revenue:
Average | Median | High | Low |
$1,826,212 | $1,716,836 | $4,600,995 | $631,638 |
RNR Tire Express assists new franchisees with site selection, demographic analysis, location evaluations, lease reviews and store layout. The corporate team also provides zoning and permitting assistance, along with customized marketing plans and advertising materials for each location's soft opening and grand opening.
RNR UNIVERSITY provides comprehensive training designed for franchisees with or without previous automotive industry experience. The program combines hands-on training at company-owned stores with online instructional videos and resources covering the brand's automotive and lease-purchase business model. Digital training resources are also available for new employees.
RNR provides ongoing operational guidance through its corporate support team, helping franchisees manage store performance, financial operations and strategic planning. Franchisees also benefit from established relationships with national tire manufacturers, ongoing coaching and corporate marketing support, including advertising campaigns and social media strategies.
RNR provides franchisees with access to digital training resources, marketing tools and customer relationship management resources. Its digital Resource Center allows franchisees to customize and order local marketing materials, while its online training platform includes course materials, quizzes and progress-tracking features. The brand also provides an online tire and wheel shopping experience that connects customers with local stores for quotes.
No previous automotive, retail or lease-purchase experience is required. RNR seeks candidates with entrepreneurial drive, leadership qualities and a willingness to learn.
RNR Tire Express offers semi-absentee and absentee ownership opportunities, allowing franchisees to hire management teams to oversee daily store operations. Owners remain responsible for their businesses, including financial performance, staffing and adherence to brand standards. Franchisees must also complete the required training program and ensure their stores follow RNR's operating procedures. The brand supports this ownership model through ongoing operational guidance, management training and corporate resources.
“I came across a few different tire franchise opportunities and visited several websites. Lease-purchase was a key differentiator for me.”
- Jeff Leland, Franchisee — Queensbury, New York
“Our margins are higher than a typical tire store. It’s a good, solid business model that works and produces solid results.”
- David Harrison, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Arkansas
“Over 90% of our customers return within three years. Our return rate is high because they know and trust us.”
- Larry Carrico, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Illinois
Visit the RNR Tire Express franchise website for more franchisee testimonials and success stories.
The U.S. tire market is projected to grow from $25.8 billion in 2024 to $31.8 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%, with the aftermarket accounting for the largest share of revenue. Replacement tires remain a significant source of demand, with an estimated 218.3 million passenger replacement tires and 37.1 million light truck replacement tires expected to ship in 2026. However, those figures represent a 1.6% decline from 2025 in both categories, pointing to softer near-term demand despite the industry's longer-term growth projections. Longer-term demand is supported by an aging vehicle fleet and the ongoing need for maintenance, with the broader U.S. automotive aftermarket projected to grow from $85 billion in 2025 to $98.3 billion by 2033.
RNR Tire Express’ primary competitors include RAW Wheels + Tires (Rent A Wheel), RimTyme Custom Wheels and Tires, Tire Agent, Rent-A-Center and independent rent-to-own tire retailers.
RNR Tire Express combines flexible lease-purchase options with a wide selection of name-brand tires and custom wheels, giving customers access to products they might otherwise struggle to afford. The brand also differentiates itself through its Premium Customer Care Package, which includes complimentary lifetime tire rotations, balancing, flat repairs and alignment checks, along with professional installation and 12 months of roadside assistance. This combination of flexible payments and ongoing customer benefits helps RNR compete with other rent-to-own tire retailers.
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