Who Owns AutoZone?
AutoZone is the master brand of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO), the largest aftermarket automotive parts retailer in the United States, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 1979 in Forrest City, Arkansas, the brand covers more than 7,400 stores across the US, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the US Virgin Islands, serving DIY customers and professional repair providers. Parent FY2025 revenue was $18.9 billion.
Who Owns AutoZone?
- Parent Company: AutoZone, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: AZO
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| AutoZone | AutoZone, Inc. | Brand division |
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History of AutoZone
- Founded: 1979
- Founders: Pitt Hyde
Grocery executive Pitt Hyde founded Auto Shack in Forrest City, Arkansas, in 1979, applying supermarket self-service principles to auto parts retail. The company went public in 1991 and renamed to AutoZone in 1987.
Through the 1990s and 2000s AutoZone became the largest US aftermarket parts chain, expanding into Mexico in 1998, Brazil in 2019, and building the commercial (professional installer) channel alongside the do-it-yourself core. Private label Duralast anchored its value positioning, and the company added mega hub distribution centers to deepen same-day inventory.
Today the brand runs more than 7,400 stores across five markets plus a growing commercial program serving repair shops.
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About AutoZone, Inc.
What does AutoZone own?
AutoZone owns and operates automotive parts retail stores under the AutoZone brand, along with Alldata diagnostic software for automotive professionals. The company owns over 7,400 retail locations across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with distribution centers and supporting infrastructure.
Is AutoZone publicly traded?
Yes. AutoZone is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AZO. The company has been publicly traded since its 1998 IPO.
Who founded AutoZone?
AutoZone was founded by Pitt Hyde in 1979 as Auto Shack in Forrest City, Arkansas. The company changed its name to AutoZone in 1987 and has grown from a single store to become the largest automotive aftermarket retailer in the United States.
Where is AutoZone headquartered?
AutoZone is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The company has maintained its corporate headquarters in Memphis since its early expansion.
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How many stores does AutoZone have?
AutoZone operates over 7,400 retail stores across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company opened 98 new stores in fiscal year 2025.
Who owns AutoZone?
AutoZone is publicly owned with no controlling shareholder. Institutional investors collectively hold the majority of outstanding shares, with major holders including Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Global Advisors. No individual, family, or private equity firm holds a controlling interest.
What is AutoZone's revenue?
AutoZone reported total revenue of 18.9 billion dollars for fiscal year 2025 (ended August 30, 2025), up from 17.5 billion dollars in FY2024. Same-store sales grew approximately 3 percent year-over-year.
What is Alldata software at AutoZone?
Alldata is AutoZone's diagnostic and maintenance software subsidiary that provides automotive repair information, technical procedures, and diagnostic guidance to professional service providers.
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Does AutoZone pay a dividend?
No. AutoZone does not currently pay a dividend. The company returns capital to shareholders through share repurchases, having spent billions of dollars on buybacks over the past decade.
- Founded: 1979
- Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: AZO
- Revenue: $18.9 billion (FY2025, ended August 30, 2025)
- Employees: Approximately 115,000
Where Is AutoZone Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Mexico, Brazil
AutoZone Categories & Tags
AutoZone Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Largest US aftermarket parts brand with 7,400-plus stores
- +Inventory depth and same-day availability moat
- +Growing commercial and international segments
- +Structural demand from aging vehicle fleet
Considerations
- -Mature DIY segment depends on vehicle parc cycles
- -EV transition gradually changes parts mix
- -Wage and logistics cost pressure
- -International expansion is capital-intensive
Frequently Asked Questions About AutoZone
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to AutoZone
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oreilly Auto Parts | USA | 1957 | Mass market | United states | All-ages | |
| Genuine Parts | USA | 1925 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Home Depot | USA | 1978 | Market leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Albertsons | USA | 1891 | Regional leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Albertsons | USA | 1939 | Market leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Amazon | USA | 1995 | Mass market | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
AutomotiveO'Reilly Auto Parts
Owned by O'Reilly Auto Parts
Retail auto parts chain founded in 1957 in Springfield, Missouri, owned by publicly traded O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. with more than 6,000 stores.
auto-partsautomotiveretail
AutomotiveNAPA Auto Parts
Owned by Genuine Parts Company
Automotive parts distribution brand founded in 1925 and owned by Genuine Parts Company, operating thousands of stores and a network of AutoCare repair centers across North America.
auto-partsautomotive-aftermarketretail
Retail EcommerceThe Home Depot
Owned by The Home Depot Inc.
The flagship big-box home improvement retail brand of The Home Depot Inc., founded in 1978 and operating about 2,350 orange-box warehouse stores across North America.
home-improvementretailbig-box
Retail EcommerceACME Markets
Owned by Albertsons Companies, Inc.
Albertsons Companies' Philadelphia-region grocery banner, a Northeast supermarket chain since 1891.
grocery-bannersupermarketgrocery
Retail EcommerceAlbertsons
Owned by Albertsons Companies, Inc.
The flagship grocery banner of Albertsons Companies, operating supermarkets across the Western and Southwestern United States.
grocery-bannersupermarketgrocery
Retail EcommerceAmazon
Owned by Amazon.com Inc.
American e-commerce marketplace launched in 1995 by Jeff Bezos. The flagship retail brand of Amazon.com Inc. and the largest online retailer in the United States.
ecommerceonline-marketplaceretail
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: AutoZone competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to AutoZone
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by AutoZone, Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
AutomotiveCarMax
Owned by CarMax, Inc.
Consumer-facing used vehicle retail brand of CarMax, Inc., the largest used car retailer in the United States with more than 250 stores nationwide.
used-carsauto-retailcarmax
Publicly Traded
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AutomotiveInterstate Batteries
Owned by Interstate Battery System of America
American battery distributor founded in 1952, specializing in automotive, commercial, and consumer batteries, headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
batteriesautomotive-batterieslead-acid-batteries
Privately Owned
Interstate Batteries is privately owned, unlike AutoZone which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveCarParts.com
Owned by CarParts.com, Inc.
American online retailer of aftermarket auto parts and accessories, listed on Nasdaq as PRTS and headquartered in Torrance, California.
auto-partsecommerceaftermarket-parts
Publicly Traded
CarParts.com operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotivecarVertical
Owned by CV Group (carVertical)
Lithuanian vehicle history company that generates VIN-based reports on used cars across 37 markets, operating as the private company CV Group.
vehicle-historyvin-checkused-cars
Privately Owned
carVertical is privately owned, unlike AutoZone which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveHyundai
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean automobile manufacturer known for its value proposition, quality improvements, and stylish designs in the global automotive market.
korean-carvalue-brandglobal-automaker
Privately Owned
Hyundai is privately owned, unlike AutoZone which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveKia
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean automobile manufacturer known for sporty design and value positioning, part of Hyundai Motor Group.
korean-carvalue-brandsporty-design
Privately Owned
Kia is privately owned, unlike AutoZone which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutoZone, Inc. Stock Information
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