Les Schwab Tire Center

In January 2022, I began scouting markets across Nebraska in anticipation of a potential expansion by Les Schwab Tires. Although the company hadn't officially entered the state, I believed it was only a matter of time. Rather than waiting for an assignment, I started identifying communities that fit their growth strategy and hunting for potential sites.

That preparation paid off.

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On July 5, 2025, I received the call that Les Schwab was officially moving into Nebraska. Because I had already spent years researching the market, I wasn't starting from scratch. I simply went back through my list of target markets and sites, evaluated what had changed, and determined which opportunities were still viable.

One of those markets was Hastings, Nebraska.

 

I had previously identified a site adjacent to Menards that I believed was an excellent fit. Like many of the opportunities I pursue, it wasn't listed for sale. After researching the ownership, I discovered the property owner had passed away and ownership had transferred to a family member. It took some persistence to track him down, but once I did, he was terrific to work with.

 

My original plan was to acquire only the front portion of the property, as the overall parcel was nearly four acres and Les Schwab only required a portion of it. The owner, however, made it clear that it was an all-or-nothing sale. Fortunately, he was realistic about value, and we were able to reach an agreement quickly.

After Les Schwab toured the property, they immediately recognized its potential, and we moved forward with a long-term ground lease.

 

The transaction presented one unique challenge. We needed to create a new parcel through a lot split that matched Les Schwab's site requirements. Hastings had an unusual subdivision process that required me to purchase the entire property before the lot split could be finalized.

 

Normally, that process could have delayed building permits for an end user. Working collaboratively with the City of Hastings, we structured the timing so the lot split could be completed after closing without delaying Les Schwab's construction schedule. While the subdivision process continued, the city allowed permitting to move forward, enabling construction to begin on time.

 

Today, Les Schwab is open for business in Hastings and serving the community from a site that began as an off-market opportunity identified years before the company officially entered Nebraska.