Pep Boys Acquires Just Brakes

Pep Boys announced this morning the purchase of privately held Just Brakes, an automotive repair and maintenance chain, increasing the number of Pep Boys auto service locations to over 900 locations. Just Brakes, in business for 36 years, has 134 locations and operates in eight states and 14 major metro markets.

Total Retail's Take: Pep Boys, which itself was acquired in late 2015 by activist investor Carl Icahn after a bidding war with Bridgestone, is looking to reverse struggling sales. Its acquisition of Just Brakes will allow it to strengthen its presence in target markets — including Atlanta and Dallas — as well as continue to invest in its service business, which operates as a complement to its auto parts sales.