O'Reilly Auto Parts
American automotive aftermarket retailer serving do-it-yourself customers and professional service providers.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
O'Reilly Auto Parts is the trading name of O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., an American automotive aftermarket retailer headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. The company sells replacement parts, maintenance products, tools, equipment, accessories, and related supplies to two principal customer groups: do-it-yourself vehicle owners and professional automotive repair businesses. Its stores and distribution operations support both walk-in retail demand and commercial customers such as independent repair shops, service centers, and other automotive trade accounts. The business was created by Charles F. O'Reilly and his son, Charles H. “Chub” O'Reilly, after the family had developed extensive experience in automotive parts distribution in southwestern Missouri. The company opened its first store in Springfield on December 2, 1957, with 13 employees. It initially combined retail stores with a wholesale-distribution activity known as Ozark Automotive Distributors, allowing the company to serve independent jobbers as well as consumers. During its early decades, the company expanded its store network and warehouse infrastructure across the region before beginning a more aggressive national growth strategy. O'Reilly became a publicly traded company in 1993, listing its shares on Nasdaq under the symbol ORLY. Its later development has relied heavily on acquisitions, which added stores, distribution centers, regional customer relationships, and entry into new geographic markets. The 1998 purchase of Hi/LO Auto Supply expanded the company into Texas and Louisiana. Acquisitions of KarPro, Mid-State Automotive Distributors, and Midwest Automotive Distributors subsequently broadened its store and distribution footprint. In 2008, the purchase of CSK Auto added 1,273 stores in 12 states and represented a major step in O'Reilly's transformation into one of the largest automotive parts chains in the United States. The company continued extending its domestic reach through purchases including the auto-parts business of VIP Parts, Tires and Service in New England, the Pittsburgh-area Frank's Auto Supermarket, the northeastern Bond Auto Parts, and Florida-based Bennett Auto Supply. International expansion began with the 2019 acquisition of Mexico's Mayasa Auto Parts. O'Reilly subsequently established operations in Puerto Rico and entered Canada through the 2023 acquisition of Groupe Del Vasto, which operates as Vast-Auto. O'Reilly's retail model emphasizes broad product availability, store convenience, commercial delivery, and assistance for customers who need to identify or install automotive parts. The assortment spans mechanical replacement components, electrical parts, fluids, chemicals, batteries, tools, shop equipment, and vehicle accessories. The brand also uses a recognizable audio signature: its advertising jingle was introduced in 1999 and revised in 2003, becoming an important part of its public identity. Motorsports-related sponsorships, including events at Texas Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway, reinforce the brand's association with automotive enthusiasm and performance. As of the source material's March 2025 description, O'Reilly operated more than 6,400 stores across 48 U.S. states, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The company remains an active publicly traded automotive-parts retailer, with Springfield as its corporate headquarters.
History
The O'Reilly family's connection to the automotive-parts trade predates the creation of O'Reilly Automotive. Charles F. O'Reilly worked as a traveling salesman for Fred Campbell Auto Supply after beginning his career in 1914. By the 1920s he had become familiar with the Springfield, Missouri, territory, and by 1932 he was managing Link Motor Supply there. His son, Charles H. “Chub” O'Reilly, later joined him. Together they helped develop Link Motor Supply into a leading local automotive-parts business. A corporate reorganization at Link in 1957 was the immediate catalyst for the family to establish an independent company. Charles F. O'Reilly and Chub O'Reilly opened O'Reilly Automotive in Springfield on December 2, 1957. The business began with one store and 13 employees. Its first full year produced approximately $700,000 in sales, and by 1961 the combined volume of O'Reilly Automotive and its Ozark Automotive Distributors division had reached $1.3 million. The distribution division served independent automotive jobbers and complemented the retail operation. The company expanded gradually through the 1960s and 1970s. By 1975 it had nine stores in southwestern Missouri and had built a 52,000-square-foot warehouse facility for its retail and distribution activities. This combination of stores, regional distribution, and commercial relationships became an enduring part of the company's operating model. O'Reilly entered the public markets in April 1993 with an initial public offering on Nasdaq under the symbol ORLY. The company then accelerated its geographic expansion through acquisitions. In January 1998, the purchase of Hi/LO Auto Supply added 182 stores in Texas and Louisiana and a Houston distribution center. KarPro Auto Parts followed in 2000, contributing 14 stores and a distribution center in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2001, the acquisition of Mid-State Automotive Distributors added 82 stores in seven states and two distribution centers. Midwest Automotive Distributors was acquired in 2005, bringing 72 locations across several north-central states and two more distribution facilities. The decisive expansion came in July 2008, when O'Reilly completed its purchase of CSK Auto. The transaction added 1,273 stores in 12 states and helped make O'Reilly the third-largest automotive-parts chain in the United States at that point. Corporate staffing growth associated with the CSK transaction contributed to the construction of a new Springfield headquarters building, which the company has occupied since 2010. During the 2010s, O'Reilly filled additional regional gaps. It purchased the auto-parts business of VIP Parts, Tires and Service in 2012, adding 56 stores and a distribution center in Maine and extending the chain into New England. In 2016, it acquired Frank's Auto Supermarket, giving it an initial presence in the Pittsburgh market, and later announced the purchase of Bond Auto Parts, a 51-store chain operating in Vermont and neighboring states. In 2018, it announced the acquisition of Florida-based Bennett Auto Supply, which had 33 stores. International development began with the announced acquisition of Mayasa Auto Parts in 2019. Mayasa brought distribution centers, company stores, and relationships with independent jobbers in Mexico. O'Reilly subsequently operated stores in Mexico under the ORMA name before rebranding its Mexican stores as O'Reilly Autopartes in December 2023. The company also opened a distribution center and two stores in Puerto Rico in 2023. In December of that year, O'Reilly announced an agreement to acquire Groupe Del Vasto, known as Vast-Auto, a Montreal-based business serving Eastern Canada through distribution centers, warehouses, company-owned stores, independent partners, and professional customers. The brand's identity has been supported by a distinctive advertising jingle first created in 1999 and revised in 2003. O'Reilly has also used motorsports sponsorships to connect its name with automotive culture, including sponsorship of racing events at Texas Motor Speedway and the Daytona International Speedway road course. The source material describes the company as operating more than 6,400 stores in 48 U.S. states, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Canada as of March 2025.
- 2023
Puerto Rico and Canada expansion
[1]The company opens Puerto Rico facilities and announces the acquisition of Canada's Groupe Del Vasto, operating as Vast-Auto.
- 2019
First international-market entry
[1]O'Reilly announces the acquisition of Mexico-based Mayasa Auto Parts.
- 2012
Expansion into New England
[1]The VIP Parts, Tires and Service transaction adds 56 stores and a distribution center.
- 2008
CSK Auto acquisition
[1]O'Reilly completes its largest stated acquisition, adding 1,273 stores in 12 states.
- 2005
Midwest Automotive acquisition
[1]The acquisition adds 72 locations and two distribution centers in the north-central United States.
- 2001
Mid-State acquisition
[1]O'Reilly adds 82 stores in seven states and two distribution centers.
- 2000
KarPro acquisition
[1]The purchase adds 14 stores and a 66,000-square-foot distribution center in Little Rock, Arkansas.
- 1998
Hi/LO Auto Supply acquisition
[1]O'Reilly adds 182 stores in Texas and Louisiana and a distribution center in Houston.
- 1993
Initial public offering
[1]The company lists shares on Nasdaq under the ticker ORLY.
- 1975
Regional warehouse development
[1]O'Reilly has nine southwestern Missouri stores and builds a 52,000-square-foot warehouse facility.
Products and positioning
A broad-assortment automotive aftermarket retailer positioned around convenient local availability, customer assistance, and service to both DIY motorists and professional repair businesses.
Automotive aftermarket
Replacement automotive parts
The core assortment includes replacement components used in vehicle repair and maintenance. Products serve common mechanical, electrical, braking, cooling, suspension, steering, and ignition needs across a broad range of passenger vehicles and light trucks. O'Reilly sells these parts through retail stores and commercial channels for repair professionals.
Automotive tools
Tools and shop equipment
O'Reilly offers hand tools, specialty automotive tools, diagnostic-related equipment, and shop supplies for vehicle owners and professional technicians. The range supports both routine do-it-yourself work and more specialized repair tasks performed in independent service businesses.
Vehicle maintenance
Maintenance supplies
Maintenance products include fluids, lubricants, chemicals, filters, batteries, and other consumables used to keep vehicles operating. These products address recurring service needs and are sold to both consumers performing maintenance at home and commercial customers servicing vehicle fleets or customer vehicles.
Automotive accessories
Automotive accessories
The company also carries automotive accessories and equipment intended for vehicle use, convenience, and appearance. Availability varies by market and store format, while the broader assortment is supported by O'Reilly's distribution network and online retail presence.
Professional automotive service
Commercial parts distribution
Commercial operations supply independent repair shops, service centers, jobbers, and other professional customers. Distribution centers, regional warehouses, store inventories, and delivery capabilities allow O'Reilly to serve trade accounts in addition to walk-in retail customers.
Controversies
2021
New Mexico officials fine O’Reilly Auto Parts over COVID-19 safety violations
New Mexico state officials fined O’Reilly Auto Parts in Lovington $242,827 over two cited COVID-19 safety violations. Officials said the location failed to keep symptomatic employees from coming to work and did not properly sanitize and disinfect shared vehicles. O’Reilly’s spokesperson disputed the conclusions and proposed fines and said the company intended to contest them.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Daytona road-course event sponsorships
United States
The company sponsored named events at the Daytona International Speedway road course, including events connected with Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series competition.
Outcome. The campaign extended O'Reilly's motorsports visibility beyond its traditional Texas sponsorships.
- 1999O'Reilly advertising jingle
United States
O'Reilly introduced a distinctive advertising jingle created by John Dillon, a founding member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. A revised version was produced in 2003 and became a highly recognizable element of the brand.
Outcome. The jingle became a durable part of O'Reilly's brand identity.
- 1999Motorsports sponsorship at Texas Motor Speedway
United States
O'Reilly attached its name to motorsports events at Texas Motor Speedway, including a Craftsman Truck Series event during the early 2000s and later NASCAR events.
Outcome. The sponsorship associated the retailer with racing and automotive culture.
Brand decisions
2023
Announce acquisition of Groupe Del VastoM&ABackground
O'Reilly continued its international expansion after establishing operations in Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Action taken
The company announced the acquisition of Groupe Del Vasto, which operates as Vast-Auto and serves automotive-parts customers in Eastern Canada.
Aftermath
The announcement marked O'Reilly's entry into the Canadian market, subject to the transaction's completion and applicable conditions.
2023
Rebrand Mexican stores as O'Reilly AutopartesStrategyBackground
O'Reilly had operated in Mexico through the Mayasa business and its ORMA-branded stores.
Action taken
The company rebranded more than 60 Mexican stores under the O'Reilly Autopartes name.
Aftermath
The change increased consistency between the Mexican retail identity and the broader O'Reilly brand.
2019
Enter Mexico through MayasaM&ABackground
After decades of domestic expansion, O'Reilly sought to establish its first international operating market.
Action taken
O'Reilly announced and subsequently completed the acquisition of Mexico-based Mayasa Auto Parts, including distribution facilities, company stores, and independent-jobber relationships.
Aftermath
Mexico became the company's first international market, and its Mexican stores were later rebranded as O'Reilly Autopartes.
2008
Acquire CSK AutoM&ABackground
O'Reilly was pursuing substantial geographic and scale expansion in the highly competitive automotive-parts retail market.
Action taken
The company completed the acquisition of CSK Auto and absorbed 1,273 stores in 12 states.
Aftermath
The transaction made O'Reilly one of the largest automotive-parts chains in the United States and drove further corporate infrastructure growth.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
New Mexico officials fine O’Reilly Auto Parts over COVID-19 safety violations[3]
Reported:
New Mexico state officials fined O’Reilly Auto Parts in Lovington $242,827 over two cited COVID-19 safety violations. Officials said the location failed to keep symptomatic employees from coming to work and did not properly sanitize and disinfect shared vehicles. O’Reilly’s spokesperson disputed the conclusions and proposed fines and said the company intended to contest them.
O'Reilly Automotive reports first-quarter 2020 results[4]
Reported:
O'Reilly Automotive reported first-quarter earnings of $300.44 million, or $3.97 per share, compared with $321.15 million, or $4.05 per share, a year earlier. Revenue was $2.48 billion, up from $2.41 billion.
O'Reilly Automotive withdraws 2020 guidance[5]
Reported:
O'Reilly Automotive said it had decided to withdraw all previously issued 2020 guidance because of uncertainty related to COVID-19.
Sources5 sources
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