Tire Kingdom is a subsidiary of TBC Retail Group that is headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida and operates more than 730 company-owned stores under the brands: Tire Kingdom, NTB - National Tire and Battery, and Merchant's Tire and Auto Centers. TBC employs nearly 350 associates at its Juno Beach headquarters and approximately 8,400 associates nationally. Additionally, the TBC Retail Group operates 491 franchised Big O Tires retailers. Tire Kingdom began in 1972 with $150 and 50 consignment tires in a 200 square foot stall at the West Palm Beach Farmer's Market. While operating as a cash and carry business, customers explained that they preferred to have their tires installed where they purchased them. With $500 in borrowed money, tire-changing equipment was purchased, and Tire Kingdom was born. Business increased rapidly and soon outgrew Farmer's Market. Over the next several years, Tire Kingdom stores opened in West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. By 1988, Tire Kingdom expanded into all major south Florida markets. Tire Kingdom's expansion continued throughout south and central Florida as well as into North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Ohio.