The Real Issues Independent Tire Dealers Are Facing in 2026

Jeff Webster is the owner of Take Ten Tire Service, with nearly three decades in the tire industry. He has expanded his operations beyond Oklahoma through recent acquisitions and is an active member of the Independent Tire Dealers Group, where he values long-term relationships and peer collaboration.

Josh Porter is the owner of Lex Brodie’s Tire Company on the Big Island of Hawaii, where he operates multiple retail locations alongside commercial tire centers, car washes, and service businesses. With over 20 years in the industry, he focuses on staying relevant in a geographically isolated market through diversification and industry connections.

Ryan Anderson is the president and owner of Montana Tire Distributors Inc., a business that combines wholesale distribution with retail operations. Having grown up in the industry, he emphasizes the financial and competitive advantages of group buying power and has helped lead the company through continued expansion.

Katie Youngblood is a third-generation owner of Youngblood Auto & Tire based in Texas, overseeing both retail locations and a large-scale mobile commercial service operation. Her business primarily serves commercial clients, with a strong focus on roadside service and fleet support across a wide regional footprint.

Jay Baxter is the president of Delaware Tire Centers, where he operates a smaller independent dealership. With decades of experience, he highlights the challenges faced by independent operators and the importance of joining networks like ITDG to remain competitive.

Peter Greenberg is the owner of City Tire Company and serves as chairman of the Independent Tire Dealers Group. Coming from a multi-generational business, he focuses on helping independent dealers compete against large chains through private brands, collective buying power, and shared strategies.

Rick Benton II is the president of Black’s Tire Service, a long-standing family-owned company known for its strong community involvement and internal culture. He advocates for collaboration among independent dealers and emphasizes adapting to industry changes while maintaining core values.

EPISODE SPONSOR

This episode of the Gain Traction Podcast is sponsored by Cosmo Tires. Cosmo Tires offers a wide range of tire solutions designed for durability, reliability, and performance across multiple vehicle segments. Learn more at https://www.cosmotires.com

In this episode…

Independent tire shop owners are losing margin in places they don’t even see, buried in pricing, sourcing, and deals that were never built for them to win. The big chains aren’t just bigger; they’re buying better, negotiating harder, and moving faster. That advantage shows up every single time a customer says yes to a quote.

The operators in this conversation aren’t guessing what’s wrong. They’re seeing it firsthand: the cost of staying independent without leverage is rising, and it’s showing up in tighter profits, tougher competition, and slower growth. Meanwhile, shops that have aligned themselves with groups like ITDG are playing a different game: better pricing, stronger supplier relationships, and a seat at the table they didn’t have before.

This is the shift most shop owners feel but haven’t fully defined yet. The shops that recognize it are already adjusting how they buy, how they price, and how they scale. The rest are still trying to outwork a system that was never built in their favor.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[01:11] Jeff Webster on ITDG value and industry relationships

[06:23] Josh Porter on ITDG benefits and business expansion

[12:43] Ryan Anderson on buying power and profit impact

[17:36] Katie Youngblood on commercial operations and scale

[25:10] Jay Baxter on challenges facing independent dealers

[28:59] Peter Greenberg on competition and private label strategy

[37:21] Rick Benton II on culture and industry evolution

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• ITDG (Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC)
• Jeff Webster LinkedIn
• Take Ten Tire & Service
• Lex Brodie’s Tire Company
• Montana Tire Distributors Inc.
• Youngblood Auto & Tire
• Jay Baxter LinkedIn
• Delaware Tire Centers
• City Tire Company
• Rick Benton II LinkedIn
• Black’s Tire Service
• Tread Partners
• Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
• Gain Traction Podcast Website
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn

Quotable Moments:

• “You just never know where you’re gonna run across the same people, it’s a great family of people.”
• “It’s the difference between competing and succeeding and thriving.”
• “When we come together, we’re a really big fish; it’s hard to beat us.”
• “As an independent, you’re faced with private equity getting bigger, how do you compete?”
• “It’s not just about making a living, it’s about making a difference.”

Action Steps:

1. Join or evaluate a dealer network to immediately increase buying power and reduce cost per tire, independent tire shop owners who stay isolated are overpaying.
2. Audit your current supplier pricing and compare it against group purchasing benchmarks to identify margin leakage.
3. Diversify revenue streams by adding commercial services, mobile support, or complementary automotive offerings to stabilize cash flow.
4. Build relationships with other operators in your market or network to share strategies, vendors, and operational efficiencies.
5. Develop a private label or alternative tire strategy to regain pricing control and protect margins from manufacturer restrictions.