Advance Auto Parts vs O'Reilly Automotive: Founders, CEOs and History
Advance Auto Parts was founded in 1929 by Arthur Taubman and is led by Shane O'Kelly. O'Reilly Automotive was founded in 1957 by Charles F. O'Reilly, Charles H. O'Reilly and is led by Brad Beckham.
Company facts
Advance Auto Parts
- Founded
- 1929
- Headquarters
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Current CEO
- Shane O'Kelly
- Employees
- 54,007
O'Reilly Automotive
- Founded
- 1957
- Headquarters
- Springfield, Missouri, United States
- Current CEO
- Brad Beckham
- Employees
- 95,822
Founders
Advance Auto Parts
Arthur Taubman
Advance Stores Company existed before Taubman's ownership, which is why the FY2025 Form 10-K gives 1929 as the company's founding year.
O'Reilly Automotive
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 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.
CEOs and their tenures
Advance Auto Parts
- Darren Jackson2008–2016
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jackson became president and CEO in January 2008 and led Advance during the 2014 General Parts International acquisition.
Source - George Sherman2016–2016
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Sherman became interim CEO on January 3, 2016 after Darren Jackson retired.
Source - Tom Greco2016–2023
President and Chief Executive Officer
Greco served from April 2016 until August 2023. During his tenure Advance acquired the DieHard brand and designated Raleigh as corporate headquarters.
Source - Shane O'Kelly2023–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
O'Kelly joined Advance in September 2023. Under his leadership the company sold Worldpac, approved a restructuring plan, completed store-footprint optimization, and focused its strategy on merchandising, supply chain, and store operations.
Source
O'Reilly Automotive
- Greg Johnson2018–2024
Chief Executive Officer
Retired as CEO effective January 31, 2024, when Brad Beckham succeeded him.
Source - Jeremy Fletcher2019–present
Chief Financial Officer
Oversees finance, capital allocation and the share repurchase program.
Source - Greg Henslee2021–present
Executive Chairman
CEO from 2005 to 2018, including the 2008 CSK Auto acquisition; Executive Chairman since 2021.
Source - Brad Beckham2024–present
Chief Executive Officer
Beckham joined O'Reilly as a parts specialist in 1996, became Co-President in January 2023 and succeeded Greg Johnson as CEO on February 1, 2024. Under him O'Reilly posted $17.78B of 2025 sales and 6.0% comparable growth in Q2 2026.
Source - Brent Kirby2024–present
President
Joined O'Reilly in 2018 from Lowe's; oversees store operations and sales.
Source
Timeline: Advance Auto Parts and O'Reilly Automotive side by side
1929Advance Auto Parts
Advance Stores founded
The FY2025 Form 10-K states that the company was founded as Advance Stores Company in 1929.
1932Advance Auto Parts
Arthur Taubman acquires Advance Stores
Arthur Taubman acquired the three-store business on April 29, 1932, with locations in Roanoke and Lynchburg, Virginia.
1957O'Reilly Automotive
First Store Opens
The O'Reilly family opened the first O'Reilly Auto Parts store in Springfield, Missouri.
1993O'Reilly Automotive
NASDAQ Listing
O'Reilly became publicly traded under the ticker ORLY.
1996Advance Auto Parts
Professional delivery program begins
Advance initiated its professional delivery program, a precursor to its professional installer channel.
1998Advance Auto Parts
Western Auto operations acquired
Advance acquired Western Auto operations from Sears, expanding its store footprint.
1998O'Reilly Automotive
Merged with Hi/LO Auto Supply
O'Reilly Automotive merged with Hi/LO Auto Supply in January 1998.
2001Advance Auto Parts
Discount Auto Parts acquired and NYSE listing begins
Advance acquired Discount Auto Parts and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.
2001O'Reilly Automotive
Acquired Mid-State Automotive Distributors
O'Reilly Automotive acquired Mid-State Automotive Distributors in October 2001.
2005Advance Auto Parts
Autopart International acquired
Advance acquired Autopart International to expand service to professional customers.
2005O'Reilly Automotive
Acquired Midwest Automotive Distributors
O'Reilly Automotive acquired Midwest Automotive Distributors in May 2005.
2008O'Reilly Automotive
CSK Auto Acquisition
O'Reilly acquired CSK Auto and expanded its national store footprint.
2014Advance Auto Parts
General Parts International acquired
Advance completed the $2.04 billion acquisition of General Parts International, adding Carquest and Worldpac.
2018Advance Auto Parts
Raleigh designated corporate headquarters
Advance designated Raleigh, North Carolina as its corporate headquarters.
2019Advance Auto Parts
DieHard brand acquired
Advance purchased the DieHard brand from Transformco for $200 million in cash.
2023Advance Auto Parts
Shane O'Kelly appointed CEO
Shane O'Kelly joined Advance as president and chief executive officer in September 2023.
2024Advance Auto Parts
Worldpac sold to Carlyle
Advance completed the sale of Worldpac to Carlyle in November 2024 after announcing a $1.5 billion transaction value.
2024Advance Auto Parts
Restructuring plan approved
The board approved a restructuring and asset optimization plan focused on profitability, store closures, and organizational changes.
2024O'Reilly Automotive
Brad Beckham Became CEO
Brad Beckham became Chief Executive Officer after a long O'Reilly career that began in store operations.
2025Advance Auto Parts
Store-footprint optimization completed
Advance closed 522 stores during fiscal 2025 and ended the 53-week year with 4,305 company-operated stores.
2025O'Reilly Automotive
$17.782B FY2025 Net Sales
O'Reilly reported $17.782 billion of net sales and $2.538 billion of net income for FY2025.
Acquisitions
Advance Auto Parts
- DieHard brand from Transformco2019$200M
- General Parts International, Inc.2014$2B
- Autopart International, Inc.2005Undisclosed
- Discount Auto Parts, Inc.2001Undisclosed
- Western Auto operations from Sears1998$175M
O'Reilly Automotive
- Vast-Auto Distribution (Groupe Del Vasto)2024Undisclosed
- Mayasa Auto Parts2019Undisclosed
- CSK Auto2008Undisclosed
- Midwest Automotive Distributors2005Undisclosed
- Mid-State Automotive Distributors2001Undisclosed
- Hi/LO Auto Supply1998Undisclosed
Questions about Advance Auto Parts vs O'Reilly Automotive
Who is the CEO of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.?
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is led by Shane O'Kelly and O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. is led by Brad Beckham. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Advance Auto Parts, Inc. founded vs O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.?
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. was founded in 1929 — 28 years before O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., which was founded in 1957. Advance Auto Parts, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger O'Reilly Automotive, Inc..
How many employees does Advance Auto Parts, Inc. have compared to O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.?
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. employs approximately 54,007 people, while O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. employs approximately 95,822. O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. has the larger workforce at 95,822 employees, compared to Advance Auto Parts, Inc.'s 54,007. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. headquartered?
Both Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.?
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. was founded by Arthur Taubman. O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. was founded by Charles F. O'Reilly, Charles H. O'Reilly.
Which company has a longer operating history — Advance Auto Parts, Inc. or O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.?
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. has been operating for approximately 97 years, making it the more established of the two companies. O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. has been in operation for around 69 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Advance Auto Parts vs O'Reilly Automotive overview