Baltimore-born entrepreneurs Joe and Fred Tomarchio, the founders of Mr. Tire, are returning to the industry with a new concept designed to redefine the customer experience, company officials stated in a press release.
The brothers opened their first tire shop in West Baltimore in 1970 at just 14 and 20 years old, building what would become a 26-location tire chain with over 300 employees before selling the company to Monro Inc. in 2004. Following the sale, Joe Tomarchio remained on as executive vice president of operations, overseeing more than 7,000 employees and 1,300 stores across 32 states before transitioning to a part-time role focused on acquisitions in 2014 and retiring in 2023. Joe and Fred Tomarchio are no longer affiliated with Mr. Tire or its current operations, noted the release.
Now, more than two decades later, Joe, 70, and Fred, 76, are launching Tires Only!, a first-of-its-kind concept store focused on speed, transparency and a completely reimagined approach to tire service.
“This has been a long-held vision,” said Joe Tomarchio. “We’ve seen the industry from every angle, and we knew there was a better way to do it.”
Reimagining Traditional Shops With Pit Crew Speed Lanes
Inspired by Formula One pit crews, Tires Only! introduces high-speed service lanes designed to get customers in and out efficiently, while maintaining precision and quality. The store also features 360-degree live camera systems, allowing customers to watch their vehicle being serviced in real time, creating a new level of transparency rarely seen in the automotive space, the company said.
Unlike traditional shops, Tires Only! says it focuses strictly on tires, alignments and custom wheels, eliminating unnecessary upselling and simplifying the customer experience. The business operates under a true owner-operated model, with experienced leadership in-store daily and the founders remaining actively involved in oversight and decision-making.
Tires Only! will host a grand opening event on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Finksburg location. The business will be open during the event for tire, alignment and wheel services.
“We’re not just opening another tire store,” said Fred Tomarchio. “We’re introducing a completely different way of doing business.”