Brian Bates is the President and Founder of EAS Tire & Auto, a growing chain of auto repair shops with 21 locations in the Denver metro area. After serving in the military, Brian entered the automotive industry, eventually opening his first shop in 2004. His company has expanded rapidly through strategic acquisitions and a partnership with Straightaway, a group that empowers shop owners to scale while retaining operational control. With a passion for people development and leadership, Brian is focused on building a company culture rooted in growth, excellence, and support.

In this episode…

The auto repair industry is undergoing rapid consolidation, leaving many independent shop owners wondering how to grow or exit successfully. As lending tightens and operational demands rise, new partnership models offer a path forward for owners who aren’t ready to walk away. How can independent shop owners grow strategically while protecting their financial futures?

According to Brian Bates of EAS Tire & Auto, the key lies in building partnerships that provide resources without stripping autonomy. Through his collaboration with Straightaway, Brian has scaled his operations significantly while maintaining influence over day-to-day decisions. This hybrid approach allows owners to retain equity, reduce risk, and gain access to shared expertise and better buying power.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Brian for a conversation about military discipline, business growth, partnering with Straightaway, and the art of betting on yourself. Brian shares how his team evaluates acquisitions, why leadership development matters, and how he uses subtle cues such as paint quality to decide which cars are worth working on.

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

• [01:37] Brian Bates’ military background and how it set the foundation for his career
• [05:46] Transitioning from the military to auto repair and dealership work
• [07:50] Growing from one shop to 21 stores in under 20 years
• [08:13] How Straightaway helps shop owners stay active in their businesses
• [13:09] Why strength in numbers matters in the tire and auto repair industry
• [16:45] Options for shop owners to take chips off the table without fully exiting
• [24:17] Brian’s favorite hobbies and lifestyle in Colorado
• [34:00] Using paint quality as a success indicator for filtering out unprofitable repairs

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Brian Bates on LinkedIn
• EAS Tire & Auto
• Straightaway Tire & Auto
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments: 

• “Success is never owned, it’s rented — and the rent is due daily.”
• “The best tenant I ever had was me — I always paid the rent and fixed things on time.”
• “Straightaway isn’t about pushing owners out — it’s about giving them more support to grow.”
• “Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn, but both are part of the fun.”
• “The bus really has an unlimited amount of seats, especially if I do my job right.”

Action Steps: 

1. Explore partnership models: Shop owners should investigate opportunities that allow for shared growth and retained control.
2. Reevaluate your lending strategy: Understand your borrowing limits with banks and SBA and consider private capital alternatives.
3. Create a system to identify unprofitable work: Use simple heuristics such as paint quality and vehicle condition to avoid jobs that drain resources.
4. Develop internal leadership pipelines: Invest in training and growth opportunities for younger team members to future-proof your business.
5. Bet on yourself: When making big decisions, trust your instincts and experience to drive your next phase of growth.

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners. 

At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops. 

By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays.

We’ve helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer’s Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Visit www.treadpartners.com or email [email protected] to learn more.