O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.
Company History
O'Reilly Automotive History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1957 in Springfield, Missouri, United States
When was O'Reilly Automotive founded?
O'Reilly Automotive was founded in 1957 in Springfield, Missouri, United States by Charles F. O'Reilly and Charles H. O'Reilly, making it 69 years old.
- Founded
- 1957
- Founding place
- Springfield, Missouri, United States
- Founders
- Charles F. O'Reilly and Charles H. O'Reilly
- Headquarters today
- Springfield, Missouri, United States
- Milestones documented
- 12 (1957–2025)
- Current CEO
- Brad Beckham
- Acquisitions
- 6
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1957 | First Store Opens |
| 1993 | NASDAQ Listing |
| 1998 | Merged with Hi/LO Auto Supply |
| 2001 | Acquired Mid-State Automotive Distributors |
| 2005 | Acquired Midwest Automotive Distributors |
| 2008 | CSK Auto Acquisition |
| 2016 | Bond Auto Parts Acquired |
| 2018 | Greg Johnson becomes CEO |
| 2019 | Entry Into Mexico |
| 2021 | Greg Henslee becomes chairman |
| 2024 | Brad Beckham Became CEO |
| 2025 | $17.782B FY2025 Net Sales |
- Where was O'Reilly Automotive founded?
- O'Reilly Automotive was founded in Springfield, Missouri, United States in 1957.
- Who founded O'Reilly Automotive?
- O'Reilly Automotive was founded by Charles F. O'Reilly and Charles H. O'Reilly.
- When did O'Reilly Automotive start?
- O'Reilly Automotive was founded in 1957.
- How old is O'Reilly Automotive?
- O'Reilly Automotive is 69 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Charles F. O'Reilly had spent decades selling auto parts for Link Motor Supply in Springfield, Missouri. In 1957, when the company tried to move him out, he and his son Charles H. 'Chub' O'Reilly opened their own store instead, with 13 employees and about $700,000 of first-year sales. The family grew it regionally, took it public in 1993 and expanded nationally with the 2008 CSK Auto deal. It was worth about $69.6 billion by market value on September 29, 2026.
Founders
Charles F. O'Reilly
Charles F. O'Reilly co-founded O'Reilly Automotive in 1957 with his son, Charles H. 'Chub' O'Reilly, after leaving Link Motor Supply. The first store in Springfield, Missouri, opened with 13 employees and about $700,000 of first-year sales. Charles F. O'Reilly was born in 1886.
Charles H. O'Reilly
Charles H. 'Chub' O'Reilly co-founded O'Reilly Automotive in 1957 and led its growth as a regional parts supplier serving both mechanics and walk-in customers. His children, including David, Larry and Charlie O'Reilly, later ran the company and took it public in 1993. Charles H. O'Reilly was born in 1914.
Key Milestones
First Store Opens
The O'Reilly family opened the first O'Reilly Auto Parts store in Springfield, Missouri.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgMerged with Hi/LO Auto Supply
O'Reilly Automotive merged with Hi/LO Auto Supply in January 1998.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgAcquired Mid-State Automotive Distributors
O'Reilly Automotive acquired Mid-State Automotive Distributors in October 2001.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgAcquired Midwest Automotive Distributors
O'Reilly Automotive acquired Midwest Automotive Distributors in May 2005.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgCSK Auto Acquisition
O'Reilly acquired CSK Auto and expanded its national store footprint.
Source: sec.govBond Auto Parts Acquired
O'Reilly bought the New England chain Bond Auto Parts in 2016.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgGreg Johnson becomes CEO
Greg Johnson became CEO of O'Reilly Automotive in 2018. Retired as CEO effective January 31, 2024, when Brad Beckham succeeded him.
Source: corporate.oreillyauto.comEntry Into Mexico
O'Reilly bought the Mexican parts retailer Mayasa Auto Parts in 2019.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgGreg Henslee becomes chairman
Greg Henslee became chairman of O'Reilly Automotive in 2021. CEO from 2005 to 2018, including the 2008 CSK Auto acquisition; Executive Chairman since 2021.
Source: sec.govBrad Beckham Became CEO
Brad Beckham became Chief Executive Officer after a long O'Reilly career that began in store operations.
Source: sec.gov$17.782B FY2025 Net Sales
O'Reilly reported $17.782 billion of net sales and $2.538 billion of net income for FY2025.
Source: sec.govMajor Acquisitions
Hi/LO Auto Supply
1998Added Texas and Gulf Coast stores.
Mid-State Automotive Distributors
2001Added stores and distribution in the Southeast.
Midwest Automotive Distributors
2005Expanded the Upper Midwest footprint.
CSK Auto
2008Added the Checker, Schuck's, Kragen and Murray's chains in the Western US, making O'Reilly a national retailer. The deal was valued at roughly $1 billion including assumed debt.
Mayasa Auto Parts
2019Entry into Mexico.
Vast-Auto Distribution (Groupe Del Vasto)
2024Entry into Canada with distribution centers and 23 company-owned stores.
Keep researching O'Reilly Automotive
O'Reilly Automotive Company History FAQ
What are the historic milestones that define the evolution of O'Reilly Automotive?
Key milestones include: founding in Springfield MO (1957), first distribution center opened (1975), IPO on NASDAQ under ORLY (1993), acquisition of Hi/LO Auto (1998), acquisition of CSK Auto for $1B (2008), addition to the S&P 500 (2009), surpassing $10B annual revenue (2019), expansion into Mexico (2019/2023), acquisition of Vast-Auto in Canada (2024), Brad Beckham appointed CEO (2024), a 15-for-1 stock split (June 2025), and a 33rd consecutive year of comparable store sales growth (2025).
How did the 1993 Initial Public Offering on NASDAQ transform O'Reilly's expansion?
O'Reilly listed on NASDAQ under the ticker ORLY in April 1993, giving it public capital to build distribution centers and expand beyond Missouri.
How did O'Reilly successfully integrate CSK Auto during the 2008 financial crisis?
O'Reilly closed the CSK Auto deal in July 2008 and spent the following years converting Checker, Schuck's and Kragen stores in the Western US to the O'Reilly brand, systems and dual-market model.
When did O'Reilly join the S&P 500 index?
O'Reilly was added to the S&P 500 in 2009, the year after the CSK Auto acquisition made it a national chain.
How did O'Reilly maintain essential service operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020?
O'Reilly stores stayed open as essential businesses in 2020, and sales grew 14.3% that year to $11.6 billion as drivers kept older vehicles running.
What was the milestone of crossing 6,000 stores in North America in 2023?
O'Reilly passed 6,000 stores in 2023, a year in which it reported $15.8 billion of sales; it had 6,695 stores at June 30, 2026.
How did O'Reilly execute its 15-for-1 forward stock split in 2025?
O'Reilly completed a 15-for-1 forward stock split of its common stock on June 10, 2025, after decades of share price appreciation since its 1993 IPO; all share and per-share data were adjusted for the split, and the stock traded at US$86.07 on September 29, 2026.
What is O'Reilly Automotive's strategic vision for the next decade of automotive retail?
Management plans to keep opening 200+ stores a year (225-235 targeted for 2026), add distribution centers, grow professional share and build out Mexico and Canada.
Related Strategic History
Compare founding milestones and corporate evolution
Explore O'Reilly Automotive
Core profile pages, founders and related research hubs for this company.