Chief Auto Parts

Chief Auto Parts

Company type	Private
Industry	Retail
Founded	1955 (1955) in Norwalk, California
Founder	Vern Johnson and Lorin Tuthill
Defunct	Template:End date and age
Fate	Acquired by AutoZone
Successor	AutoZone
Headquarters	Dallas, Texas , United States
Number of locations	556 (1998)
Area served	California, Texas, Tennessee, Nevada, Arizona, Arkansas
Products	Auto parts

Chief Auto Parts was a retail chain specializing in automotive components operating across multiple U.S. states including Tennessee, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Arkansas, and California. Established in 1955 in Norwalk, California by Vern Johnson and Lorin Tuthill, the company expanded to 119 outlets before its acquisition by Southland Corporation in 1979. Over the following two decades, ownership changed hands several times while the company’s footprint extended beyond 500 locations, culminating in its purchase by AutoZone in 1998.

History

The origins of Chief Auto Parts trace back to 1955 when Vern Johnson and Lorin Tuthill launched the business in Norwalk, California. By the time Southland Corporation acquired the chain in 1979, Chief had grown to encompass 119 stores primarily situated in California. Southland Corporation, also known for owning brands such as 7-Eleven, Citgo, and Movie Quik, operated Chief Auto Parts as one of its divisions based out of Dallas, Texas until 1990.

In 1985, Chief expanded its presence into Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama through the acquisition of Honey's Auto Parts located in Nashville. Concurrently, Chief obtained 77 stores from the Checker Auto Parts brand in Oklahoma and Texas after Lucky Stores withdrew from those markets.

In 1988, an investor consortium led by Chief's management team alongside Shearson Lehman Brothers purchased the company from Southland for $130 million. Six years later, ownership transitioned to Trust Company of the West—a Los Angeles–based investment firm—together with Chief’s management group. This acquisition primarily served to settle obligations with General Electric Capital following its takeover of Shearson Lehman’s stake.

Chief further broadened its operations in 1995 by acquiring Hi-Lo Automotive, a Houston-based retailer with 191 outlets across Texas, Louisiana, and California. This transaction was valued at $121 million. Following this acquisition, Chief operated over 500 stores spanning California, Texas, Nevada, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Arizona.

In 1998, Trust Company of the West divested Chief Auto Parts to Memphis-headquartered AutoZone for $280 million through a combination of cash payment and debt assumption. At the point of sale, Chief maintained a network of 556 stores. From 1992 until the company's integration into AutoZone, David H. Eisenberg served as Chief Auto Parts’ CEO.