Big 10 Tire Stores Completes Sale to an Affiliate of Sun Capital Partners

MOBILE, Ala.--Big 10 Tire Stores, Inc. (“Big 10”), one of the largest independent tire dealers in the Southeastern U.S., today announced that it has completed the sale of its operations to New Big 10 Tire Stores, Inc. (“New Big 10”), an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (“Sun Capital”). The parent company of Big 10 filed for voluntary protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in April 2009 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court"). To facilitate a smooth restructuring process and allow for a sale of the ongoing business, an affiliate of Sun Capital agreed to provide a debtor-in-possession loan facility (“DIP”) to Big 10 upon the bankruptcy filing. The DIP financing provided operational and financial stability as Big 10 proceeded to improve its capital structure and strengthen its competitive position to return the business to its long-term growth track.

New Big 10 served as the stalking horse bidder for Big 10’s assets under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Bankruptcy Court approved the sale on June 26, 2009.

New Big 10 is a top ten independent tire dealer in North America, with a market leading position in 8 of 11 of its key markets throughout Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. In addition to tire sales, New Big 10 provides services such as tire rotations, oil changes, belts, hoses, parts and warranty sales.

"Through the bankruptcy process and with the support of New Big 10, we were able to successfully reorganize the business while maintaining normal operations with our vendors and employees and providing continuous service to our loyal customers," said Don Kennemer, President and Chief Executive Officer, New Big 10 Tires. “We have emerged with a stronger balance sheet and a leaner, more focused organization that will strengthen our value proposition and reputation for superlative service.”

Matthew N. Garff, Principal, Sun Capital Partners, Inc., added, “New Big 10 Tires has completed an important step on its return to financial stability and future growth. The restructuring has allowed the Company to reduce its costs and improve its capital structure. We look forward to working with Don Kennemer and the management team to position New Big 10 for future growth.”

About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies that can benefit from its in-house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in and managed more than 200 companies worldwide since Sun Capital’s inception in 1995 with combined sales in excess of $40 billion. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles and New York, and affiliates with offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Shenzhen and Shanghai, China.

Sun Capital has been one of the most active private investment firms in the U.S., closing 161 transactions from 2002 through 2008, including 30 acquisitions in 2005, 33 transactions in 2006, 39 transactions in 2007 and 26 transactions in 2008 and was the recipient of the M&A Advisor Private Equity Firm of 2009 award. For further information, please visit: www.SunCapPart.com.