Big O Tires in Lebanon is turning 20. Owned by Allen Romack, Big O has been a pillar of the community. This anniversary is truly a testament to the business’s dedication, growth and community spirit.
When Romack purchased the business in 2004, he was no stranger to entrepreneurship. Before venturing into the tire industry, he owned a building maintenance company in Florida, and also operated a unique business called Celebrations, which offered an eclectic mix of gifts. But it was his childhood experience in his father’s service stations that ignited his passion for the automotive industry.
“My first job at the age of 9 was washing car windows at my father’s service stations,” he recalls. “I stood on a box to reach the windows as I pumped gas. Those early years instilled a work ethic in me that I carry to this day.”
Upon acquiring the Lebanon location, Romack faced the challenge of turning around a struggling business. However, he saw the opportunity to develop a business that could help the community, and provide much more than just tire service to the Lebanon and Boone County area.
“We bent over backwards to provide excellent service and the community responded,” he says. “We wanted to be more than a tire shop.”
And it worked. Big O Tires in Lebanon offers tire repair and replacements, and also provides oil changes, brake checks and repairs, suspension services, and other mechanic services to keep your vehicle maintained and at its best.
This commitment extends to the everyday interactions with customers. Romack and his team pride themselves on a service-first approach, ensuring that customers leave satisfied. Unlike many Big O stores, at the Lebanon location about 60% of services is tire related, and the other 40% is mechanical. They rarely spend more than an hour to put your tires on the vehicle, provide rides to customers as requested, and enjoy giving back to the community.
“Almost all our money stays in the community,” Romack says. “We support local charities, provide scholarships to high schools and do business with other organizations in the community. We enjoy being in Lebanon and building relationships every day.”
The team at Big O Tires is also a significant part of the business’s success. With 16 employees including two managers, the business operates like a well-oiled machine.
“Our staff is incredible,” Romack says proudly. “[Managers] John and Lauren are excellent at managing the team, and our technicians and mechanics are the backbone of our operation.”
As the team at Big O Tires Lebanon looks to the future, the focus remains on maintaining the high standards of service that have marked of the last 20 years. Romack believes the key to continued success lies in staying true to the values that have served them well: community involvement, exceptional customer service and a commitment to integrity.
“We’re here for the long haul,” Romack says. “As long as we keep prioritizing our customers and our community, I believe the next 20 years will be even more successful.”
To mark the 20th anniversary, the staff at Big O Tires Lebanon is planning several special offers in August as a thank-you to the community that has supported the business over the years. The best way to find out about these celebratory deals will be to follow the Big O Tires Lebanon Facebook page for more information as the deals are announced.
