Pep Boys

Pep Boys

File:PB Auto Service Tires Logo Stacked CMYK EST.png Logo used from 2023 to present
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Automotive maintenance and repair and tires
Founded	August 1, 1921 (1921-08-01) (as Pep Auto Supply) 1923 (1923) (as Pep Boys)
Founders	Maurice (Moe) Strauss Emanuel (Manny) Rosenfeld W. Graham (Jack) Jackson Moe Radavitz
Headquarters	Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Number of locations	850
Key people	Joe Auriemma (Interim CEO)
Products	Auto service and tires
Number of employees	8,000+ (2023)
Website	pepboys.com

Pep Boys is a United States-based automotive aftermarket service provider, established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1921 by Emanuel "Manny" Rosenfeld, Maurice "Moe" Strauss, W. Graham "Jack" Jackson, and Moe Radavitz. The company’s headquarters are located in Bala Cynwyd, a suburb of Philadelphia. Pep Boys focuses on offering branded tires, vehicle maintenance and repair services, as well as fleet management solutions throughout the U.S. By 2016, the firm operated more than 9,000 service bays across 35 states plus Puerto Rico. Their business operations also include the Pep Boys Mobile Crew, a mobile unit providing on-site automotive service.

Early history

The enterprise began in August 1921 when Emanuel "Manny" Rosenfeld, Maurice "Moe" Strauss, Graham "Jack" Jackson, and Moe Radavitz each contributed $200 to launch a single auto parts outlet called Pep Auto Supply Company. The company’s name was inspired by a shipment of Pep Valve grinding compound and a local police officer’s recommendation to seek parts from "the boys at Pep."

Taking inspiration from West Coast companies that used owners’ first names, Moe Strauss rebranded the business as "The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack" following Radavitz’s departure. Shortly thereafter, the distinctive illustrations of Manny, Moe, and Jack were created; after Jackson left in 1927, his likeness was replaced by Moe’s brother Isadore Strauss. Although Izzy Strauss exited in 1929 to establish his own auto supply venture, the company maintained the "Jack" reference in its name. The original logo remained largely intact until 1990 when Manny's cigar was removed to update the brand’s appearance.

During the Great Depression starting in 1929, Pep Boys managed to avoid workforce reductions or wage cuts due to its low debt levels. In 1933, Manny’s brother Murray Rosenfeld opened the first West Coast location under a different corporate entity, which expanded to eleven stores within three years.

The company became publicly traded in 1945 with Manny Rosenfeld serving as its inaugural corporate president until 1959. Moe Strauss then took over as president from 1960 to 1966 and continued as chairman until 1982. In 1986, Mitch Leibovitz became the first president outside the founding families. Until the early 1990s, founding family members retained approximately 20% ownership. Stuart Rosenfeld, Manny’s grandson, continues to serve as vice president of distribution.

By 1969, Pep Boys had grown to operate 1,249 stores featuring service bays staffed with managers. The following decade introduced self-service merchandising alongside computerized inventory management systems implemented across all outlets.

In the 1980s, the company embarked on an aggressive expansion strategy including listing on the New York Stock Exchange and developing large-format "supercenter" stores. At this time, store numbers surpassed 7,000 with over 3,000 service bays generating annual revenues exceeding $2 billion.

The expansion extended into the 1990s with new locations opening in Puerto Rico, broadening their market presence within U.S. territories.

2000-present

In January 2003, Mitch Leibovitz stepped down, and Larry Stevenson, previously with Canadian retailer Chapters, assumed the role of CEO until 2006 when shareholder demands prompted his departure. Jeffrey C. Rachor was appointed CEO in March 2007, succeeded by COO Michael "Mike" R. Odell as Interim CEO in 2008, who then became the permanent CEO in September of that year.

Pep Boys pursued growth through acquisitions: Florida Tire was acquired in 2009, adding ten locations in Orlando; in March 2011, seven Big O Tires outlets in Washington state were purchased; May 2011 saw the acquisition of Big 10 Tires, which included 84 centers across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia; and in June 2011, seven My Mechanic shops near Houston were added.

In January 2012, The Gores Group, a private equity firm, announced plans to buy Pep Boys for roughly $1 billion; however, this agreement fell through by May. In September 2013, Pep Boys expanded its footprint by acquiring 18 Discount Tire Centers in Southern California, significantly boosting its presence in the Los Angeles market. Mike Odell resigned as CEO in September 2014, with John Sweetwood stepping in as Interim CEO.

Scott P. Sider, formerly with Hertz Corporation, was appointed CEO in June 2015. Later that year, Bridgestone Retail Operations agreed to acquire Pep Boys for $835 million in October but withdrew from the deal by December. Instead, Icahn Automotive Group completed the acquisition of Pep Boys for about $1.03 billion in February 2016.

In January 2017, Pep Boys acquired Just Brakes, a chain of 134 automotive repair shops. Dan A. Ninivaggi took over as CEO in March 2017, bringing strategic insight from his experience at Federal-Mogul.

Icahn Enterprises enhanced Pep Boys’ service capabilities in April 2019 by introducing fleet-specific Mobile Crew vehicles designed for on-site maintenance and repairs, strengthening the company’s competitive position within fleet services.

In September 2019, Pep Boys resolved a $3.7 million lawsuit concerning violations related to hazardous waste disposal in California.

Beginning in early 2021, Pep Boys divided its parts and service divisions into separate entities: service operations remained under Pep Boys while parts management was transferred to Auto Plus Auto Parts led by President Joe Ferrer. By 2022, all stores continued operating under the Pep Boys brand despite parts being managed internally by Auto Plus. Auto Plus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 31, 2023; following this event, Pep Boys was spun off as an independent company.

Scott Collette was named CEO of Pep Boys in February 2023. By December that year, the company finalized its shift away from retail sales to concentrate solely on automotive service operations, including those located in Puerto Rico.

In February 2024, David Willetts replaced Collette as CEO while Collette transitioned to the role of COO amid a corporate restructuring. During this leadership changeover, Joe Auriemma—former Chief Marketing Officer—was appointed interim CEO in September 2024.

See also

• National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA)

Bibliography

• (Pep Boys)