Driven Brands, a portfolio company of Roark and a leading automotive franchisor, recently announced the acquisition of award-winning, San Antonio, Texas-based Express Lube. Founded in 1990 by Harold Smith, Express Lube operates more than 30 quick oil change centers throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas in Texas. The purchase reinforces Driven Brands’ growing quick lube division, which most recently acquired Ohio-based Lube Stop in September. “Including the acquisition of Express Lube, we’ve now expanded the Quick Lube Division at Driven Brands by more than 80 percent this year,” said Quick Lube Group president Marc Graham. “This expansion is a direct result of Driven Brands’ world-class technology, synergistic approach to building business, purchasing power and operational support. The addition of this market-leading quick oil change business in San Antonio further solidifies our presence in Texas.” After 25 years, Express Lube has become San Antonio’s trusted oil change and car maintenance provider, and one of the 50 largest quick lube businesses in the country. The brand has won multiple consumer and readers’ choice awards, and is an ingrained member of the community supporting the local Children’s Hospital, Toys for Tots and Million Meals for Kids. With the purchase of Express Lube, Driven Brands nearly doubled its number of quick oil change locations in Texas. Driven Brands manages a family of automotive companies including Maaco, Meineke Car Care Centers, Carstar and 1-800 Radiator & A/C, which collectively generate annual system revenues of more than $2.1 billion. Express Lube represents the seventh major acquisition for Driven Brands since Roark acquired the business, expanding the collective brands’ footprint to more than 2,000 locations in North America.
