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Ratchet + Wrench Radio

Podcast: From Shop Floor to Scale: Brian Bates on Leading Straightaway Tire Into its Next Chapter

The newly appointed COO shares lessons from wrenching to the C-suite, the realities of scaling with private capital, and how Straightaway is growing without losing its soul.
March 4, 2026
Straightaway Tire
Brian Bates
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What happens when a lifelong shop owner steps into the COO role of a fast-growing national platform? In this episode, Brian Bates breaks down the walls shop owners hit when scaling, how to balance culture with growth, and why leadership—not capital alone—will determine who wins the next decade in the aftermarket.

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About the Author

Christine Schaffran
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Christine Schaffran

Editor-in-Chief

Christine Schaffran is the Editor-in-Chief for Ratchet+Wrench magazine at Endeavor B2B. She is an award-winning journalist, having covered both commercial and industry magazines and newspapers during her career. She previously served as Editor-in-Chief for another publisher for 17 years prior to joining Endeavor. When she's not spending time with her husband and son, you'll find her in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes and delicious dishes to try. 

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