Heartland Automotive Services, the largest U.S. Jiffy Lube franchisee, appointed Jim Marcum as interim CEO and formed a new Southeast division following the addition of 33 locations in the region.
Marcum, who succeeded former Heartland president and CEO Brett Ponton, most recently served as president and CEO of Central Parking Corp. He has also served as CEO of retail electronics companies Circuit City and Ultimate Electronics.
Irving, Texas-based Heartland on Aug. 28 announced the second largest acquisition in company history with the addition of 33 new locations from South Lube Inc. across northern Florida and South Carolina. Heartland Automotive invited all 250 employees, including district managers and store staff, across the newly acquired stores to remain in their current positions following the acquisition.
Interim CEO Marcum noted the acquisition increases Heartlands footprint to more than 570 locations in 23 states. The company has more than 5,000 employees nationwide.
The newly acquired locations located primarily near Charleston, S.C., and Jacksonville and Gainesville, Fla., provide a natural platform for growth in the Southeast market, he said in a news release. The new Southeast division will include existing Heartland locations located near Savannah, Ga., and Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Heartland Automotive Services was formed in 1995 when five independent Jiffy Lube franchisees in St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Austin and Omaha joined forces, initially with 66 stores total. An affiliate of investment firm Sun Capital Partners acquired Heartland Automotive in August 2012.