O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. Announces the Opening of Its 1,000th Store

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Jan. 17, 2003--O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the "Company") announced that it will open its 1,000th store on Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
    O'Reilly has opened or acquired 868 stores since going public in April 1993. Team O'Reilly has had many other successes since 1993. In 1998, the Company acquired Hi/LO Automotive, Inc., which nearly doubled the size of the Company, adding 188 stores. In 2001, the Company acquired Mid-State Automotive Distributors, Inc., adding 82 stores and expanding O'Reilly presence to 16 contiguous states. Also in 2001, Team O'Reilly met its 1-5-U goal one year early. This goal, set in 1998, was the Company's commitment to reach $1 billion in sales within five years. In 2002, the Company announced its 2-4-Your Future goal, representing a challenge to reach $2 billion in sales within four years.
    "I'm so proud of our team and the hard work and dedication of each member. Opening our 1,000th store is yet another significant milestone for Team O'Reilly. This store opening brings us one step closer to reaching our 2-4-Your Future goal," stated Larry O'Reilly, Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer.

    O'Reilly Automotive is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Founded in 1957 by the O'Reilly family, the Company operated 958 stores within the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas as of September 30, 2002.