Advance Auto Parts

Retailer / private label

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An American automotive aftermarket retailer serving do-it-yourself motorists and professional vehicle repairers.

Last updated August 21, 2026

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Overview

Advance Auto Parts is an American automotive aftermarket retailer and parts provider headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Its business serves two principal customer groups: do-it-yourself vehicle owners and professional installers, including independent repair shops and other commercial customers. Rather than manufacturing complete vehicles, the company supplies products used to maintain, repair, and upgrade cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light- and heavy-duty trucks. The company traces its origin to April 1932, when Arthur Taubman acquired the Advance Stores business from Pep Boys. The acquired operation consisted of two stores in Roanoke, Virginia, and one in Lynchburg, Virginia. Over subsequent decades, Advance developed from a regional store operator into a large automotive aftermarket platform through organic expansion, distribution infrastructure, acquisitions, private-label products, and digital ordering channels. Its merchandise assortment includes branded and original-equipment-manufacturer replacement parts, accessories, batteries, maintenance products, tools, and related supplies. Typical categories include braking, filtration, ignition, engine management, electrical systems, chassis components, belts, hoses, lighting, fluids, lubricants, cleaners, and repair equipment. Advance also sells products under private-label and controlled brands, including Argos and DieHard batteries. The company’s assortment is intended to cover both routine maintenance and more complex repair needs across domestic and imported vehicles. Expansion has been shaped by acquisitions. The company obtained the remaining operations of Western Auto in 1998, acquired Carport Auto Parts in 2001, and acquired Discount Auto Parts later that year. These transactions broadened its store network, particularly in the southeastern United States. In 2002, Advance received approval to acquire 57 Trak Auto stores. The 2012 acquisition of BWP Distributors strengthened its New England presence, while the 2014 purchase of General Parts International brought the Carquest and Worldpac businesses into the group and expanded its professional distribution capabilities across North America. Advance became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AAP after the Discount Auto Parts transaction. Its corporate profile grew substantially, and it appeared on the Fortune 500 beginning in 2003. In 2019, the company acquired the DieHard battery brand from Sears, adding a nationally recognized battery name to its portfolio. It later pursued additional retail expansion in California through a lease and conversion plan involving former Pep Boys locations, although the company subsequently undertook a major restructuring and closed its California stores by March 2025. The company has also used motorsports and automotive-event sponsorships to reinforce its connection with vehicle enthusiasts and professional racing. Its activities have included Monster Jam, NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA partnerships, as well as sponsorship of drivers and racing teams. Advance has operated both the consumer-facing Advance Auto Parts retail brand and professional-oriented businesses associated with Carquest and TechNet. In 2023 and 2024, management focused on portfolio review and operational restructuring. Worldpac was sold to Carlyle in a transaction announced in 2024 and completed in November of that year. Advance also reached cooperation agreements with activist investors and appointed new directors. In late 2024, it announced plans to close distribution centers, corporate stores, and independent locations as part of a cost-reduction and business-reset program. The company remains an automotive aftermarket retailer, but its store footprint, portfolio composition, leadership, and operating strategy continue to evolve.

History

Advance Auto Parts began in April 1932, when Arthur Taubman purchased Advance Stores from Pep Boys. The acquired business comprised two locations in Roanoke, Virginia, and one in Lynchburg. It operated within the expanding American market for replacement automotive parts, where increasing vehicle ownership created recurring demand for maintenance, repair, and replacement products. The company’s later growth combined store expansion with acquisitions and distribution development. In 1998, it acquired the remaining operations of Western Auto, a retail and general-store business whose larger operations had previously been acquired by Sears. In April 2001, Advance purchased Carport Auto Parts, adding 29 stores in Alabama and Mississippi. Later in 2001, it acquired Discount Auto Parts, a regional chain with stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana. Completion of that transaction made Advance a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker AAP. The company ended that year with 2,484 stores in 38 states. In 2002, bankruptcy court approval enabled Advance to acquire 57 Trak Auto stores in northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and eastern Maryland. The company continued to develop a wider regional footprint while serving both individual consumers and professional installers. Its product range expanded beyond basic replacement components to include accessories, batteries, tools, maintenance supplies, and products for imported and domestic vehicles. The company strengthened its professional-market capabilities in the 2010s. In 2012, it acquired BWP Distributors, a Carquest franchise serving New England. The transaction included 124 company-owned retail locations and two distribution centers, while independently owned locations supported by BWP were transferred to General Parts. In October 2013, Advance agreed to acquire General Parts International, a privately held distributor and supplier operating through the Carquest and Worldpac brands. The acquisition closed on January 3, 2014, creating a major North American aftermarket platform with stronger commercial distribution and international-vehicle coverage. Corporate and leadership changes followed. Starboard Value disclosed a 3.7 percent stake in Advance in 2015. Darren Jackson resigned as chief executive in January 2016, and Tom Greco, then associated with Frito-Lay North America, was selected as his successor. The company later relocated its headquarters from Roanoke to Raleigh, North Carolina; the Raleigh headquarters became operational in the following period. In December 2019, Advance agreed to purchase the DieHard battery brand from Sears for $200 million in cash. DieHard became a controlled brand sold through Advance and Carquest channels. The company promoted the brand with a 2020 holiday-season advertising film featuring actor Bruce Willis. In 2021, it announced a plan to lease 109 Pep Boys retail locations in California and convert them to Advance stores, seeking a larger presence in that market. The 2020s brought portfolio reassessment and operational pressure. Shane O'Kelly became president and CEO in September 2023. In November of that year, Advance said it was examining a potential sale of Worldpac and its Canadian business. In 2024, the company reached cooperation agreements with Third Point and Saddle Point Management, activist investors that together held a reported five percent stake, and added three directors to its board. Advance announced the sale of Worldpac to Carlyle for $1.5 billion in August 2024, and the transaction closed on November 4. In November 2024, Advance announced a substantial restructuring involving the closure of four distribution centers, 523 corporate stores, and 204 independent locations. The company estimated restructuring costs of $350 million to $750 million. Its California stores were closed by March 2025. The company also disclosed a 2024 data breach affecting personally identifiable information of nearly three million customers and employees. Despite these changes, Advance remains an active automotive aftermarket retailer with consumer, professional, private-label, and digital businesses.

2024
Worldpac sale completed
[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Carlyle completed its acquisition of Worldpac from Advance Auto Parts on November 4, 2024.
2023
Shane O'Kelly becomes CEO
[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Shane O'Kelly succeeded Tom Greco as president and chief executive officer.
2019
DieHard battery brand acquired
[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Advance purchased the DieHard battery brand from Sears in an all-cash transaction.
2014
General Parts International acquisition completed
[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Advance completed its acquisition of General Parts International, bringing the Carquest and Worldpac businesses into the company.
2002
Trak Auto stores acquired
[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Bankruptcy court approval allowed Advance to acquire 57 Trak Auto stores in the Mid-Atlantic region.
2001
Discount Auto Parts acquisition and public listing
[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Advance acquired Discount Auto Parts and became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AAP.
1998
Western Auto operations acquired
[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Advance acquired the remaining operations of Western Auto, expanding its automotive retail footprint.
1932
Arthur Taubman acquires Advance Stores
[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Arthur Taubman purchased Advance Stores from Pep Boys, acquiring two stores in Roanoke and one in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Products and positioning

A multi-channel automotive aftermarket supplier for DIY consumers and professional repair businesses, combining retail stores, distribution operations, branded products, and digital fulfillment.

Automotive aftermarket parts
Replacement automotive parts
The core assortment includes replacement components for braking, filtration, ignition, engine management, electrical systems, chassis, belts, hoses, lighting, and other vehicle systems. Products support routine maintenance and repair of domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light- and heavy-duty trucks. The company sells branded, original-equipment-manufacturer, and private-label products through retail and professional channels.
Automotive electrical products
Batteries
Advance sells automotive batteries and related electrical products for consumer and professional repair applications. Its portfolio includes the DieHard battery brand, acquired from Sears in 2019, as well as other branded and private-label products intended for passenger vehicles and broader automotive applications.
Maintenance supplies
Automotive maintenance products
This category includes lubricants, motor oils, coolants, cleaners, additives, filters, and other consumable products used for scheduled maintenance and everyday vehicle care. These products are sold to DIY motorists and professional installers and complement the company’s replacement-parts assortment.
Repair tools
Automotive tools and equipment
The company offers hand tools, specialty tools, diagnostic equipment, and related supplies used for inspection, repair, maintenance, and parts installation. The assortment supports home mechanics as well as professional repair facilities that require equipment for recurring service work.
Private or controlled automotive brand
DieHard
DieHard is a battery brand acquired by Advance Auto Parts from Sears in 2019. Advance uses its retail and Carquest distribution channels to market the brand, making it one of the company’s most visible controlled automotive product names.

Controversies

2024
Personally identifiable information data breach
Advance disclosed a breach involving personally identifiable information of nearly three million customers and employees, including names, Social Security numbers, and birth dates. The incident was reported as part of the broader Snowflake-related data-breach campaign.
Source

2023IndyCar checkered-flag sponsorship
United States
Advance became the official sponsor of the checkered flag in IndyCar, extending its automotive and motorsports marketing presence.
Outcome. Brand visibility expanded through a national racing property.
Source
2020DieHard holiday promotion
United States
Advance promoted the newly acquired DieHard battery brand through a holiday-season film featuring actor Bruce Willis.
Outcome. The campaign supported the introduction of DieHard under Advance and Carquest distribution.
Source
2020NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series
United States
Advance became title sponsor of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.
Outcome. The sponsorship linked the retailer to grassroots stock-car racing.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Sell Worldpac to CarlyleM&A
Background
Advance reviewed its portfolio and sought to focus its resources amid operational and strategic pressure.
Action taken
The company sold Worldpac to investment firm Carlyle; closing was announced on November 4, 2024.
Aftermath
Worldpac left the Advance Auto Parts group.
Reported transaction value. $1.5 billion (2024 announced sale)
Source
2024
Launch major restructuringStrategy
Background
Advance undertook a broad operational reset involving its store and distribution footprint.
Action taken
The company announced closures of four distribution centers, 523 corporate stores, and 204 independent locations.
Aftermath
The restructuring was expected to cost between $350 million and $750 million, and all California stores were closed by March 2025.
Estimated restructuring cost. $350 million-$750 million (2024 restructuring announcement)
Source
2019
Purchase DieHard battery brandM&A
Background
Advance sought to add a recognized automotive battery name to its controlled-brand portfolio.
Action taken
Advance agreed to acquire DieHard from Sears in a $200 million all-cash transaction.
Aftermath
DieHard batteries became available through Advance and Carquest channels.
Purchase price. $200 million (2019 transaction announcement)
Source
2014
Acquire General Parts InternationalM&A
Background
Advance aimed to strengthen its commercial distribution capabilities and broaden coverage of aftermarket replacement products.
Action taken
Advance completed the purchase of General Parts International, including the Carquest and Worldpac businesses.
Aftermath
The acquisition created a major North American automotive aftermarket platform.
Source
1998
Acquire Western Auto operationsM&A
Background
Advance sought to enlarge its automotive aftermarket store network.
Action taken
The company acquired the remaining operations of Western Auto.
Aftermath
The transaction increased Advance’s retail presence and supported subsequent national expansion.
Source

Recent events

2024
Advance Auto Parts reaches agreements with activist investors and adds directors[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
Advance announced cooperation agreements with Third Point and Saddle Point Management and appointed three new directors, including Brent Windom, Gregory Smith, and Thomas Seboldt.
2024
Carlyle completes acquisition of Worldpac from Advance Auto Parts[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The sale of the Worldpac business to Carlyle was completed on November 4, 2024, following the transaction announcement earlier in the year.
2024
Advance Auto Parts announces major store and distribution restructuring[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Bankruptcy
The company announced plans to close four distribution centers, 523 corporate stores, and 204 independent locations as part of a restructuring program.
2023
Advance Auto Parts appoints Shane O'Kelly as president and CEO[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
Shane O'Kelly succeeded Tom Greco as president and chief executive officer after Greco announced his planned retirement.
2023
Advance Auto Parts explores sale of Worldpac and Canadian business[1]Advance Auto Partsen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The company announced a review of strategic alternatives for Worldpac and its Canadian operations.

Sources8 sources

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