O2 Investment Partners (www.o2investment.com) is pleased to announce that Straightaway Tire & Auto (www.gostraightaway.com), a leading independent automotive repair and service platform, has appointed Brian Bates as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Brian, a longtime independent shop owner and co-founding partner of Straightaway will oversee operations, field leadership development, and growth strategy as the company continues to expand its footprint nationwide.

Brian’s 20+ year automotive repair career has allowed him to develop deep technical expertise, business acumen, and the strategic mindset to succeed in the industry. In 2004, he opened his first shop and grew it into EAS Tire & Auto, a thriving, multi-location operation in Colorado. This led him to partnering with O2 and becoming a founding member of Straightaway in 2023, helping to establish the company as one of the fastest-growing automotive repair platforms in the country.

“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. Perhaps most telling, his peers wanted him in this role. Titles do not 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 Brian Bates, COO of Straightaway. “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 will build a distinct and winning business obsessed with delivering exceptional customer experiences and superior financial results.”

“Since the inception of the Straightaway platform, Brian has been a trusted and integral partner,” said Andrew Faubel, Partner at O2. “His leadership, operational acumen, and deep industry experience have been instrumental to the company’s success. As COO, he will continue to drive operational excellence and long-term value creation.”

About Straightaway Tire & Auto

Straightaway Tire & Auto is a leading independent, full-service aftermarket automotive repair and service platform with more than 70 locations across Colorado, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. Straightaway focuses on building strong local brands by partnering with established automotive repair businesses to provide resources and operational expertise that drive growth and long-term success. The company is committed to strengthening the markets where it operates and being good stewards of the communities it serves. Straightaway is actively expanding its footprint in new and existing markets through strategic acquisitions, and welcomes inquiries from shop owners interested in exploring a sale or partnership. For more information, visit www.gostraightaway.com.

About O2 Investment Partners

O2 Investment Partners is a Midwestern-based private equity firm that seeks to acquire majority interests in lower middle market niche services, technology, and select industrial companies. The firm invests in businesses with earnings growth potential and a clear path to the creation of shareholder value. O2 invests with a view toward partnering with management to build and grow the business and take it to its next stage of development. This requires not only a clear vision and strategic plan to create shareholder value, but a close partnership and alignment of interest with management. Additional information is available at www.o2investment.com.

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Since the inception of the Straightaway platform, Brian has been a trusted and integral partner.