Gary Skidmore is a longtime tire industry leader whose career began in his father’s independent shop and eventually grew into franchise ownership and executive roles within Big O Tires. With experience spanning the sales counter, the service bays, and corporate leadership, Gary brings a rare, full-circle view of what makes tire dealers successful. Today, he helps guide one of the most recognized dealer networks in the country, applying decades of hands-on operational knowledge, market strategy, and people development to support franchise growth across 466 locations.

In this episode…

Understanding how to scale a tire business begins with learning from someone who’s lived every level of it. In this conversation, Gary walks through his early shop experiences, the lessons learned from becoming a franchise owner, and the leadership principles that shaped his approach to growth. He explains how Big O Tires expanded to 466 stores, why intentional market selection matters, and what franchisees truly receive beyond brand recognition.

Gary also breaks down the two traits he believes predict franchise success better than any other metric; insights gained from decades of watching operators thrive or struggle. From the realities of franchise renewals to how often field consultants actually visit stores, he gives a transparent look into how a major tire network supports its people.

This episode is packed with clarity and real-world wisdom for anyone interested in scaling a tire business the right way, through smart operations, strong leadership, and steady, intentional growth.

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

[01:04] Who Gary Skidmore is and how he entered the tire business

[01:29] Why snow days meant shop days growing up

[02:59] From part-time college job to Big O franchise owner

[05:57] How Big O Tires grew to 466 locations

[07:35] What really happens after 10 years: franchise renewal insights

[08:33] What Big O franchisees receive and how support is structured

[10:40] Why consultant visits vary by store size and operational needs

[11:54] Where new franchisees typically come from

[14:56] The two traits that reliably predict franchise success

[22:50] Work stories that shaped Gary’s leadership style

[26:55] A memorable day at the counter and its lesson

[28:10] Gary’s favorite movie and a childhood story that still inspires him

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Tread Partners
• Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
• Gain Traction Podcast Website
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Gary Skidmore
• Big O Tires’ LinkedIn
• Big O Tires’ Website

Quotable Moments:

• “Growth only works when the support behind it works, too.”
• “You can’t fake integrity. It shows up in every decision you make.”
• “The strongest operators are proactive, not reactive.”
• “Franchise systems thrive when people feel supported, not managed.”

Action Steps:

1. Evaluate your growth strategy: Is your expansion structured and intentional?
2. Strengthen your support systems: Ensure operators receive meaningful field guidance.
3. Develop leadership habits: Accountability and integrity set the tone for every store.
4. Define the ideal franchisee: Identify traits that align with long-term success.
5. Review your store culture: Strong values drive consistent performance and customer trust.