U.S.-based tire retailer RNR Tire Express has opened its first store outside the United States, marking the brand’s international franchise debut in Oshawa, Ontario. The grand opening took place on September 12 at 1080 Simcoe Street North, with the new location owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Rakesh Jegganolla and Sravan Sharma.
The Oshawa store is equipped with alignment, mounting and balancing equipment from Hunter Engineering, supplied through Ontario-based Hunter distributor Riel Equipment Ltd. Services at the new location will include tire and wheel alignments, balancing, tire sales, and custom wheel and tire installations.
From Tech Careers to Tire Retail
Jegganolla and Sharma both arrive at the tire business from outside the automotive sector. Jegganolla previously worked as a software engineer before moving into entrepreneurship through child care services, while Sharma built a career in IT consulting, including time at major consulting firms Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC.
In a statement, Jegganolla said he and Sharma had long wanted to run a business together and viewed the tire and wheel industry as an essential service with steady demand. He added that the store’s rent-to-own model was intended to give customers access to safe, reliable transportation while allowing the business to have a positive effect on the local community.
Community Turnout at the Grand Opening
The grand opening event drew a range of local participants, including custom car displays, food provided by Fire Queen, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Attendees included the store’s ownership and staff, family members, representatives from equipment partner Riel Equipment Ltd., Oshawa Fire Services, local council members, and Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter.
The opening represents RNR Tire Express’s first step into the Canadian market, expanding the franchise’s footprint beyond the United States for the first time.
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