Straightaway Tire & Auto Expands West with Silverlake Acquisition

CHARLOTTE, NC – January 27, 2026 – National automotive service platform Straightaway Tire & Auto has announced a significant strategic expansion into the Mountain West, acquiring the five-location Silverlake Automotive brand based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The partnership marks a pivotal moment for Straightaway, extending its footprint into Idaho and Washington for the first time and pushing its total shop count to 87 as it races toward a milestone of 100 locations.

A National Platform's Mountain West Gambit

The acquisition is the latest move in an aggressive growth strategy for Straightaway, a platform backed by the Midwestern private equity firm O2 Investment Partners. Rather than rebranding the shops it acquires, Straightaway pursues a 'roll-up' strategy, partnering with established local leaders and providing them with capital, technology, and operational support to accelerate growth. This model allows successful local brands to maintain their identity while benefiting from the scale of a national entity.

Silverlake Automotive becomes the fifth brand under the Straightaway umbrella, bringing more than 30 team members into the fold. The move is a calculated push into what Straightaway identifies as some of the fastest-growing markets in the United States: Coeur d'Alene and Boise in Idaho, and Spokane, Washington. This expansion follows a period of rapid consolidation for the company, which added 17 locations in 2024 and completed six more acquisitions in the first half of 2025, primarily densifying its presence in Colorado and Minnesota.

"We're incredibly excited to partner with Silverlake Automotive and support the accelerated growth of this valued local brand," said John Teddy, CEO at Straightaway. "Will and Rebecka Sando represent everything we look for in a partner. They are dedicated to their employees, passionate about serving their customers with excellence, and have a bold vision for future growth."

The Golden Rule Meets Corporate Scale

At the heart of the deal is a local success story. Longtime residents Will and Rebecka Sando acquired Silverlake Automotive in 2003 and cultivated it from a single shop into a regional leader with five locations. Their business philosophy is rooted in a simple but powerful principle: the Golden Rule. By focusing on treating employees and customers with respect, they built what the company describes as one of the most trusted automotive brands in northern Idaho.

Crucially, the partnership is not a typical exit for the founders. Will Sando will remain at the helm, stepping into the newly created role of Brand President of Silverlake Automotive. Supported by Straightaway's platform, he will lead the brand's planned expansion throughout Idaho and into the Spokane market.

For the Sandos, the decision was about legacy and future growth, not just a transaction. "From the beginning, we weren't looking for an exit. We were looking for a way to stay, lead, and continue growing Silverlake," said Will Sando. "Straightaway's model gives founders the ability to remain operators, build their brand, and gain the infrastructure needed to scale. We share the same values around integrity, leadership, and taking care of people, which made becoming a partner in Straightaway a natural fit."

Fueling Growth in Boomtown USA

The timing and location of the acquisition are no accident. The Mountain West is experiencing an economic and demographic surge. The Coeur d'Alene metropolitan area, for instance, has seen its population grow by 11.3% over the last five years, far outpacing the national average of 3.7%. This influx of new residents and businesses creates a corresponding demand for essential services, including automotive repair and maintenance.

Idaho's broader economy is also booming. In 2023, the state led the nation with a 5% growth in its gross state product, coupled with a low unemployment rate. This vibrant economic climate, attracting significant private investment, makes markets like Coeur d'Alene and Boise prime targets for service-oriented businesses looking to scale. By acquiring a well-respected local player, Straightaway gains an immediate and credible foothold in a region poised for continued expansion, effectively drafting behind the area's powerful economic engine.

A New Model for an Old Industry

Straightaway's founder-retained partnership model represents a significant trend in the fragmented automotive aftermarket industry. Traditionally, consolidation has often meant the disappearance of local brand names and the departure of their founders. Straightaway's approach, however, seeks to blend the best of both worlds: the entrepreneurial spirit and local market knowledge of a founder with the resources and strategic discipline of a private equity-backed platform.

This philosophy is embedded in Straightaway's own DNA. The company was formed in 2023 by uniting five successful independent founders who chose to partner rather than sell out. This structure allows the company to offer a compelling proposition to other owner-operators: join a network of peers, gain access to sophisticated back-office support—including analytics, recruiting, and training—and focus on what they do best, which is running their shops and serving their communities.

The acquisition of Silverlake Automotive not only validates this model but also signals its potential to reshape the competitive landscape. As more large platforms enter the market, local independent shops face increasing pressure. For growth-minded owners like the Sandos, a partnership that preserves their legacy while fueling their ambitions presents an attractive alternative to either competing alone or selling their business outright to a national chain that might erase its identity.