Monro Announces 145 Store Closures Amid Sector Pressures

Monro to Close 145 Locations Amid Sector Headwinds

Monro Inc., a leading automotive repair and tire retailer, announced plans to close 145 underperforming locations by the end of June as part of a broader effort to improve profitability and streamline operations. The move will reduce the company's portfolio to approximately 1,115 company-owned and 48 franchised stores nationwide.

Headquartered in Fairport, NY, Monro operates under multiple brand names, including Monro Auto Service & Tire Centers, Tire Choice, Mr. Tire, and Car-X. The closures will mostly affect locations in the Northeast, though specific sites have not been publicly disclosed.

Navigating Market Pressures

The decision comes as the automotive services sector continues to feel the effects of inflation, rising costs, and softened consumer demand. Several industry peers—including American Tire Distributors, Accuride, and Hoonigan—filed for bankruptcy in the past year, while other retailers like Canadian Tire have shuttered locations to offset mounting expenses.

Monro recently hired Peter Fitzsimmons—formerly with restructuring consultancy AlixPartners—as CEO and retained the firm to assist in developing a turnaround plan. Fitzsimmons identified four key areas of focus for improvement:

• Closing underperforming stores
• Enhancing customer experience and sales effectiveness
• Driving profitable customer acquisition and activation
• Increasing merchandising productivity while mitigating tariff risk

Real Estate Repositioning

In addition to store closures, Monro continues to optimize its real estate strategy. In July, the company sold its former headquarters in Rochester, NY for $9.6 million, relocating to a leased office space in Fairport to reduce overhead costs.

Monro emphasized its commitment to future growth through a targeted expansion strategy: opening new locations in top-tier trade areas, regardless of ownership structure.

‍