Telle Tire & Auto Centers Acquires HEART Certified Auto Care to Accelerate Repair-Focused Growth
Telle Tire & Auto Centers announces its acquisition of HEART Certified Auto Care, a high-performing, repair-focused automotive brand operating in Cook County, just outside Chicago. The transaction reflects Telle’s decision to invest behind and scale the HEART brand as a dedicated repair-focused growth platform.
Founded in 1942, Telle Tire has built one of the most respected organizations in the automotive service industry through a customer-first and people-first approach, anchored by a tire-first operating model. Under the leadership of President and CEO Aaron Telle, the company identified a strategic opportunity to expand repair-focused growth by investing in HEART’s proven operating and leadership model.
Founded by Brian Moak, HEART Certified Auto Care has developed a distinct, repeatable repair-focused system centered on advanced inspections, transparent communication, disciplined execution, and leadership development. The HEART model has delivered strong mechanical repair performance while maintaining a culture built on trust, accountability, and team empowerment. Moak was awarded the Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award in 2025 after turning $1.4 million in debt into a $15.5-million people-first business.
HEART currently operates three locations in Cook County, with a new location scheduled to open later this year. The brand emphasizes operational efficiency and leverages technology to enhance customer experience and ensure consistent execution.
“We look forward to building upon the HEART model and expanding repair-focused growth through this platform,” said Aaron Telle. “HEART’s operating discipline and leadership approach stood out to us, and we believe this creates a strong foundation for future growth.”
Following the acquisition, Brian Moak will become Executive Vice President of the HEART Repair Division while continuing to lead HEART Certified Auto Care at the local level. In this role, Moak will focus on growing the HEART brand and supporting future repair-focused acquisitions that align with its operating and cultural standards, working alongside Telle’s leadership with access to capital, infrastructure, and shared resources.
“For me, this was about finding the right platform,” said Moak. “Telle has built one of the most respected organizations in the industry with a clear tire-first focus and an exceptional people-first culture. When they looked at HEART, they weren’t asking us to change who we are — they saw a repair-focused brand worth growing. With Telle’s backing, we now have the ability to scale the HEART model in a disciplined way while staying true to what made it successful.”
This acquisition represents a significant step in Telle Tire’s long-term strategy to grow through differentiated, repair-focused brands while remaining anchored in the customer-first and people-first principles that have defined the company for generations. Telle Tire & Auto Centers currently operates 73 locations across six states.