In 2004, Brian Bates opened the doors to his first automotive repair shop in Littleton, Colorado, with a clear goal: to build something lasting. As a fourth-generation Coloradan, Army veteran, and ASE L1 Master Technician with a degree in Business Management, Brian combined hands-on expertise with a strategic mindset from the very start. That combination, technical skill and business acumen, would prove critical in turning a single shop into a respected independent service brand in the Denver metro area, EAS Tire & Auto.
From day one, Brian’s approach was rooted in hard work and personal accountability. “Failure didn’t feel like an option,” he says. In the early days, that meant long hours in the shop, sometimes working weekends alone to repair vehicles and keep the business moving forward. He even bought and resold cars to help cover expenses while the shop gained traction. The support of his wife and the satisfaction of business ownership kept him focused on the bigger picture.
It wasn’t without its challenges. Within weeks of taking over the Littleton shop, Brian realized that relying on the previous owner’s reputation was a misstep. The solution was swift; he rebranded within a month. That decision reinforced an important lesson: own your brand, your standards, and your customer experience from the beginning.
As the shop became profitable, Brian kept his eyes on expansion. He knew he wanted more locations but set clear milestones before making the leap: having financial stability, maintaining strong managers, and establishing an operational foundation to support growth. A pivotal moment came when he joined the Bottom-line Impact Group, where he connected with facilitator John Wafler and others who would eventually join together to form Straightaway Tire and Auto. “Being in that group with those guys gave me the insight and confidence I needed to run it full throttle,” Brian says.
Over the next 15 years, EAS Tire & Auto grew to 21 locations across the Denver area, built on a people-first culture. In just six months between late 2024 and early 2025, EAS completed three strategic acquisitions, adding seven shops from Integrity Tire, K-Motion, and Antero Automotive. Through these acquisitions, Brian came to understand that growth wasn’t just about finding skilled technicians or a front counter that could sell, sell, sell; it was about building a team and a culture that valued integrity and respect. “We look for shops that understand this is a people business,” he explains. “When I see pride of ownership, a focus on integrity, and a team that respects each other, I know we can build from there. If that’s already in place, most of the tough work is done. Now you just fix cars.”
Developing leaders from within became a hallmark of EAS. Brian points to one technician who rose through the ranks to become a senior area manager, now a key driver of the company’s success. “He’s much better at most things than I am, which is what I was aiming for,” Brian says. For him, leadership potential boils down to humility, hunger, and people skills—the ability to take ownership, stay curious, and inspire others.
That focus on leadership traces back to Brian’s military service from 1991 to 1996. Serving in the U.S. Army taught him the importance of servant leadership and the critical role that leadership plays in achieving your goals. “You can’t complete the mission without taking care of your people,” he says. “That balance drives how I lead at EAS.”
In April 2023, Brian joined forces with four friends from the Bottom-line Impact Group to form Straightaway Tire & Auto—a leading independent, full-service aftermarket automotive repair and service platform with more than 70 locations across five brands and seven states. As one of Straightaway’s founding partners, he continues to serve as Brand President for EAS, with the same values that defined it from the start: honest service, team development, and a commitment to building lasting relationships in the community.
Looking ahead, Brian’s vision is to continue empowering others to lead. “I want them to say, ‘Brian pushed me to be better and taught me how to build team members into leaders,’” he says. “That is how legacies are built, and visions continue to live. I want them to look back and know that THEY built something amazing, and I provided them the opportunity to do it.”
From a single shop in Littleton to guiding one of Straightaway’s flagship brands, Brian Bates’ journey is proof that growth built on skill, integrity, and a commitment to people can stand the test of time.