Gerald's Tires & Brakes

What Gerald's Tires & Brakes does

Gerald's Tires & Brakes is a privately held, regional automotive service retailer founded in 1975 (originally under the name Gerald's Recaps) and headquartered in the Charleston, South Carolina metro area. It operates seven physical retail and service locations spanning West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston (three sites), and Summerville (two sites), offering a unified suite of tire sales across 35+ brands (including authorized Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Uniroyal distribution), tire installation, wheel alignment and balancing, TPMS service, and full-scope automotive repair - brakes, oil changes, AC, batteries, belts, cooling, drivetrain, differentials, exhaust, hoses, suspension, lift kits, check-engine diagnostics, and preventive maintenance - performed by ASE-certified technicians.

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) one-time retail tire sales priced per unit with installation included, (2) per-job auto repair services priced at the time of estimate, and (3) contracted fleet maintenance services through the wholly-owned GTB Commercial division led by Commercial Sales Manager Earl Wigger. Gerald's is a certified NAPA Auto Care Center, which provides customers with a 24-month/24,000-mile parts-and-labor warranty extendable to 36 months/36,000 miles via the NAPA Synchrony credit card, honored at 14,000+ NAPA locations nationwide. GTB Commercial holds preferred-vendor status with major fleet management companies including Leaseplan, Enterprise Fleet, GSA Fleet, Emkay, Donlen, Holman, Element, Fleetio, Merchant, and Mike Albert.

The technology stack is intentionally lean: no proprietary platform is described. The company uses standard automotive diagnostic equipment and integrates a third-party Tire Connect widget on its website (covering five of seven locations) for online tire search by size and appointment booking. Distribution is exclusively through the seven physical service centers and the GTB commercial sales channel; no e-commerce shipping or remote service delivery model exists. There is no disclosed revenue, no institutional or PE/VC backing, and no parent company. The business is recognized locally as Charleston's #1 choice for tires, oil changes, and car repairs through the Charleston Choice Awards and Best of Charleston.

Name

Gerald's Tires & Brakes

Legal name

Gerald's Tires & Brakes

Website

https://geraldstires.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gerald's Tires & Brakes operates seven retail/service locations in the Charleston, SC metro, selling tires across 35+ brands and providing full-service automotive repair, oil changes, brakes, alignments, and fleet maintenance through its GTB Commercial division and NAPA-backed warranty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Repair and Tire Services

NAICS

Tire Dealers (441340)

SIC

Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLAKADAA

Retail Tire Sales & Installation (Consumer)

Transportation & Logistics/Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance, Repair & Services (MRO)/Tire Services (Sales, Repair, Retreading)

SECONDARYTLAKAAAD

Tire & Wheel Services (Mount/Balance/Alignment)

Transportation & Logistics/Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance, Repair & Services (MRO)/Automotive Repair & Maintenance (Light-Duty Vehicles)

SECONDARYTLABAIAH

Tire Management Programs (Procurement, Monitoring, Retreads)

Transportation & Logistics/Fleet Leasing, Rental & Management/Fleet Management Services (Lifecycle, Compliance, Safety, Driver Programs)

Keywords

• Tire sales and installation
• Automotive repair services
• Wheel alignment services
• Commercial fleet maintenance
• Oil change services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Pleasant

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tire Sales: Retail sale of new tires across 35+ major tire brands (Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Bridgestone, etc.) for cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. Customers purchase tires at retail locations with installation included.
2. Auto Repair Services: A broad range of automotive repair and maintenance services including brake repair, oil changes, wheel alignments, battery replacement, AC repair, suspension repair, exhaust repair, cooling system service, differential repair, drivetrain service, belt replacement, and more. Services are priced per job and performed at physical service locations.
3. Fleet Maintenance Services (GTB Commercial): Contracted fleet maintenance and repair services for commercial fleet operators. Services include preventive maintenance, tire services, brake repair, suspension repair, and full vehicle management for business fleets. Revenue is generated through service agreements with fleet management companies.
4. NAPA Warranty & Financing: The company offers NAPA Auto Care Peace of Mind Warranty (24-month/24,000-mile coverage, extendable to 36-month/36,000-mile with NAPA Synchrony Credit Card). Financing promotions such as '6 months same as cash' on purchases over $199 drive customer conversion and may generate referral/financing income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gerald's Tires & Brakes is an independent automotive service company that sells new tires from 35+ brands (including authorized Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Uniroyal) and provides a comprehensive range of tire and auto repair services — installation, balancing, alignment, rotation, TPMS, brake repair, oil change, AC, battery, suspension, exhaust, drivetrain, cooling, and preventive maintenance — across 7 physical locations in the Charleston, SC metro area. A dedicated GTB Commercial division serves commercial and government fleet customers under contracted maintenance agreements with major fleet management companies.

Product overview

Gerald's Tires & Brakes operates as a regional automotive service center network (7 locations) in the Charleston, SC area offering a unified suite of tire sales, installation, and automotive repair services under one roof. The core product portfolio centers on tire services (sales, installation, rotation, balancing, alignment, TPMS, and repair) and auto repair (brake service, oil changes, AC repair, battery replacement, belt replacement, cooling system, drivetrain, differential, exhaust, hose replacement, suspension, lift kits, check engine diagnostics, and preventive maintenance). The company is an authorized dealer of Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Uniroyal tire brands, carrying tires from over 30 total brands. Service offerings are augmented by GTB Commercial fleet services for commercial customers, the NAPA Peace of Mind Warranty (24-36 month/24,000-36,000 mile coverage), NAPA Synchrony credit card financing, and online appointment booking. Services are performed by ASE-certified technicians and backed by industry affiliations including NAPA Auto Care, TIA, BBB, ASA, ASE, and Technet.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tire Sales
• Tire Installation Professional tire mounting, balancing, and safety checks performed by ASE-certified technicians at all 7 service locations.
• Wheel Alignment Precision wheel alignment services to ensure proper tire wear and vehicle handling.
• Wheel Balancing Wheel balancing services to ensure a smooth ride and prevent uneven tire wear.
• Tire Repair Flat tire repair services including inspection, patching, or replacement.
• TPMS Service Tire Pressure Monitoring System service to help extend tire life and improve vehicle handling.
• Brake Repair Comprehensive brake services including inspection, pad replacement, rotor service, caliper service, and brake fluid flush.
• Oil Change Service Oil and filter change services using conventional, synthetic-blend, or full-synthetic oils.
• AC Repair Air conditioning diagnostic, repair, and maintenance services including coolant refill, leak repair, and compressor service.
• Battery Replacement Starting and charging system services including battery testing, replacement, alternator overhaul, and starter motor replacement.
• Belt Replacement Serpentine belt and timing belt inspection, diagnosis, and replacement services.
• Cooling System Repair Radiator and cooling system services including coolant check, pressure testing, water pump service, and thermostat replacement.
• Drivetrain Service Transmission, driveshaft, and drivetrain component inspection, maintenance, and repair.
• Differential Repair Front and rear differential inspection, fluid service, and repair for standard and limited-slip differentials.
• Exhaust Repair Exhaust system diagnostics, repair, and replacement including catalytic converter and oxygen sensor services.
• Hose Replacement Coolant hose, oil hose, and power steering hose inspection and replacement services.
• Suspension Repair Steering and suspension system diagnostics, repair, and replacement of shocks, struts, springs, and related components.
• Lift Kits Suspension lift kit installation services for enhanced ground clearance, off-road performance, and aesthetic customization.
• Check Engine Light Diagnostics Advanced diagnostic services to interpret check engine light codes and identify root causes.
• Preventive Maintenance Comprehensive maintenance check-ups including tune-ups, electrical system checks, and cooling system service.
• GTB Commercial Fleet Services Commercial fleet maintenance and management services for cars, vans, and light trucks, including preventive maintenance, tire services, and diagnostic and repair services for company vehicles. Delivered under contract by a dedicated Commercial Sales Manager (Earl Wigger).

Quantifiable outcome

• NAPA warranty honored at 14,000+ locations nationwide

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• LeaseplancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for Leaseplan fleet management services, providing preventive maintenance, tire services, brake repair, and full vehicle repair for Leaseplan-managed commercial fleets across the Charleston area.
• Enterprise FleetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for Enterprise Fleet, delivering fleet maintenance and repair services to Enterprise-managed vehicle fleets.
• EmkaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for Emkay fleet management services, providing comprehensive vehicle maintenance for Emkay client fleets.
• GSA FleetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for GSA (General Services Administration) Fleet, providing automotive maintenance and repair services for U.S. government vehicle fleets.
• Donlen FleetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for Donlen Fleet management services, providing tire and auto repair services for Donlen-managed fleets.
• Mike Albert FleetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for Mike Albert Fleet, providing fleet maintenance and repair services to commercial fleets managed by Mike Albert.
• Holman FleetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for Holman Fleet, delivering automotive maintenance and repair services for Holman-managed commercial fleets.
• Element FleetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for Element Fleet, providing comprehensive fleet maintenance and repair solutions for Element's client fleets.
• Fleetio FleetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for Fleetio fleet management services, providing tire and auto repair services integrated with Fleetio fleet tracking and management platforms.
• Merchant FleetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is a preferred vendor for Merchant Fleet, delivering automotive maintenance and repair services to Merchant-managed commercial fleets.
• NAPA Auto CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerald's Tires & Brakes is a certified NAPA Auto Care Center, offering the NAPA Peace of Mind Warranty (24-month/24,000-mile coverage, extendable to 36 months/36,000 miles with NAPA Synchrony Credit Card). This partnership provides national warranty backing honored at 14,000+ NAPA locations.
• Michelin (Authorized Dealer)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerald's Tires & Brakes is an authorized dealer of Michelin tires, offering Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Uniroyal tire brands alongside 35+ other tire brands.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NTB (National Tire & Battery): Big-box-style tire and automotive service center chain owned by TBC Corporation; directly competes with Gerald's in tire sales/installation plus full-service auto repair under one roof.
• Discount Tire (America's Tire): Largest U.S. consumer retail tire chain with 1,100+ storefronts; directly comparable operating model to Gerald's in selling and installing new tires across multiple brands to walk-in and appointment-based consumers.
• Midas: Franchised auto service chain specializing in brakes, tires, oil changes, alignments, and suspension — overlaps almost one-for-one with Gerald's core auto repair service categories under a multi-store franchise model.
• Christian Brothers Automotive: Franchised full-service auto repair chain focused on light-duty mechanical work, brakes, and maintenance; comparable to Gerald's in trusted, full-service auto repair positioning though lighter on retail tire sales.
• Pep Boys: Iconic national auto service and tire retailer offering tires, brakes, alignments, oil changes, and general repair — direct competitor to Gerald's retail/service center model with broader geographic footprint.
• Firestone Complete Auto Care: Bridgestone-owned national chain combining retail tire sales with full automotive service; comparable to Gerald's as an authorized dealer-tied service center with manufacturer warranty backing.
• Monro Auto Service and Tire Centers: Public multi-brand auto service and tire retailer operating ~1,300 stores under Monro, Tire Warehouse, Mr. Tire, and Autotire brands; directly comparable as a multi-store regional/national tire and repair operator.
• Valvoline Instant Oil Change: Largest quick-service oil change and light-maintenance chain in North America; competes with Gerald's specifically in oil-change and preventive-maintenance categories that are highlighted as award-winning services.

Others

• Tire Rack: Largest U.S. online tire and wheel retailer delivering direct-to-consumer with installer network fulfillment; competes with Gerald's for tire purchase consideration but does not own physical service centers, functioning as an adjacent channel rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company: Global tire manufacturer that also owns/operates ~600 retail service centers under Goodyear and Just Tires banners; comparable as both a tire supplier to Gerald's and a broad incumbent competing in retail tire and auto service.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/geraldstires

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gerald's Tires & Brakes