Veteran shop owner and co-founding partner to guide operations, field leadership development, and growth in Straightaway’s next phase of expansion
Charlotte, N.C.—Straightaway Tire & Auto has announced the appointment of Brian Bates as chief operating officer (COO). Bates, a longtime independent shop owner, co-founding partner of Straightaway, and U.S. Army veteran, will oversee operations, field leadership development, and growth strategy as the company continues to expand its footprint nationwide.
After serving in the U.S. Army from 1991 to 1996, he pursued a degree in Business Management while earning his ASE L1 Master Technician certification. In 2004, he opened his first shop and grew it into EAS Tire & Auto, a multi-location operation in Colorado. This led him to co-found Straightaway in 2023.
“Brian is passionate about Straightaway and about building something truly distinct in the automotive industry,” said John Teddy, CEO of Straightaway. “He grew up in auto repair, starting on the shop floor, making him uniquely aware of what matters most to our customers, what our front-line team members need to thrive, and what our brand leaders require to scale and innovate. And perhaps most telling, his peers wanted him in this role. Titles don’t define true leaders — they rise naturally to the occasion, and Brian is a perfect example of that.”
“It is gratifying and humbling to step into this role,” said Bates. “I started as a shop owner answering phones, selling jobs, and turning wrenches, and those experiences will always shape how I lead. My priorities as COO are clear: build scalable systems and processes, invest in our people, and ensure every shop feels fully part of the Straightaway family. At the end of the day, if we get those fundamentals right, we’ll build a distinct and winning business obsessed with delivering exceptional customer experiences and superior financial results.”
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