When Rick and Mary Funderburg purchased Brad’s Tire & Automotive Center in February 2016, they were not simply acquiring a business. They saw an opportunity to raise the standard for automotive care in Northwest Arkansas through integrity, service, and genuine relationships. Rebranded as Pro Tire & Automotive Center, the company has since grown into the largest independently owned auto repair facility in the region.
“We offer great service,” Rick says. “The entertainment is free.” The phrase reflects a deeper philosophy. Automotive repair does not have to feel intimidating or impersonal. The team at Pro Tire is made up of skilled technicians, service advisors, and support staff who take pride in their work and care deeply about customers, welcoming them into a space built on conversation, trust, and long-term relationships, where questions are encouraged and honesty is the standard.
Their consistent teamwork turns first-time visitors into long-term customers across Northwest Arkansas communities.
That mindset has shaped a culture where automotive repair feels approachable rather than intimidating. Jason and Melanie Bedogne have been customers since day one. When Pro Tire moved into its new facility in 2019, they surprised the team with a cookie cake to celebrate. Today, their daughters are drivers themselves and loyal Pro Tire customers. “We know Pro Tire is safe for them,” Melanie shares. “It is a place they feel comfortable going.”
As the business has grown, so has its impact throughout the community. Pro Tire proudly supports local schools, Visiting Angels, military families, and numerous organizations across the area. Giving back is not a marketing initiative. It is a responsibility. “We give back because this community has given so much to us,” Rick says.
Guided by faith and a commitment to exceptional customer service, Pro Tire’s success remains deeply personal. “We have been able to accomplish so much because of God’s grace,” Rick says, “and our focus on taking care of people.”
Behind Pro Tire’s success is a philosophy that begins with its employees and extends outward into the community. “Our staff is family,” Rick says, and the company lives that belief daily. The average Pro Tire employee has been with the company for seven years, a milestone that reflects trust, loyalty, and respect.
That commitment was tested during one of the most difficult moments in company history. When a longtime employee was involved in a serious motorcycle accident and placed in the ICU, Rick and Mary ensured he received pay throughout his recovery so his family would not face financial stress. The experience reshaped how Pro Tire cares for its team. Today, every employee is provided an accident policy that covers them at work and home, at no cost. “We never want families to go without coverage,” Rick explains.
That same compassion shapes how Pro Tire responds to needs beyond the shop. One of the most meaningful moments came when Rick learned of a 17-year-old in Farmington who had been tragically injured in his home, leaving him paraplegic. His family had no reliable way to transport him. Rick invested thousands of dollars into modifying a vehicle to accommodate his wheelchair and gave it to the family. The goal was never recognition, only help.
Customers feel that sincerity. Melanie Bedogne describes it best. “The way Rick connects with people is so meaningful. The way he talks to people matters. I wish we could bottle it up because it’s special.”
That authenticity continues to build loyalty across generations, strengthening Pro Tire’s reputation as a trusted, community-centered automotive partner.
At Pro Tire & Automotive Center, vehicles may be the service, but relationships remain the mission.