O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. Responds to Fair Labor Standards Act Suit Allegation

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Sept. 13, 2004--O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the "Company") announced today that a former team member of the Company has filed a Fair Labor Standards Act suit alleging that she was not provided overtime pay during her period of service. The former team member claims to have performed duties both before and after her shifts in an overtime capacity for which she was not compensated. David O'Reilly, Co-Chairman and CEO of O'Reilly, stated, "We have policies that are implemented to make every reasonable effort as an employer to pay overtime to our team members where overtime is owed." In response to published reports indicating that the suit may expand to a collective action lawsuit, Mr. O'Reilly stated, "It is our belief that once the evidence in this claim is examined by a court or jury, O'Reilly Auto Parts will be vindicated respecting these claims."

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. 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 1,170 stores within the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia as of June 30, 2004.