Bob Jane T-Marts is one of Australia’s longest-established and most recognisable tyre retail networks. The Australian family-owned business has grown from a single tyre store opened by racing driver Bob Jane in the 1960s into a national network spanning every state and territory.
Unlike manufacturer-backed networks such as Bridgestone Select, Bob Jane T-Marts operates as a multi-brand tyre retailer, offering products from many of the world’s major tyre manufacturers alongside exclusive Bob Jane tyre ranges.
Bob Jane T-Marts store locator identifies more than 130 locations across Australia, operating through a combination of company-owned and independently operated franchise stores.
From Motor Racing to Tyre Retailing
The story of Bob Jane T-Marts is closely connected to the motorsport career of its founder, Bob Jane.
Jane was one of Australia’s leading racing drivers during the 1960s and 1970s, competing successfully in touring cars and becoming a four-time Australian Touring Car Champion.
His involvement with tyres extended beyond simply using them on the racetrack. Bob Jane T-Marts says his racing experience helped establish his knowledge of tyres, with other competitors initially approaching him for advice and access to tyres before the opportunity developed into a retail business.
The first Bob Jane tyre store opened in Haberfield, New South Wales, in 1964, followed by a Melbourne store in 1965.
These early stores established the foundations of what would eventually become the national Bob Jane T-Marts network.
Franchising Begins in 1972
A major turning point came in 1972, when the first franchised Bob Jane T-Marts store opened at Artarmon in Sydney.
The introduction of franchising gave Bob Jane a model through which the retail network could expand beyond company-operated stores while retaining common branding, products and retail systems.
Expansion followed rapidly.
Historical reporting indicates the network had grown to more than 30 stores by the end of the 1970s, with further expansion through the following decades eventually establishing Bob Jane T-Marts across Australia.
Today, the company remains Australian family owned and operates through a combination of company stores and independently operated franchises.
Bob Jane T-Marts Network History
1964
First Bob Jane tyre store opens in Haberfield, Sydney.
1965
A second store opens in Melbourne.
1972
The first franchised Bob Jane T-Marts opens in Artarmon, Sydney.
Late 1970s
The network grows beyond 30 stores.
Following decades
Bob Jane T-Marts expands nationally, establishing a presence across every Australian state and territory.
Today
135 stores nationally and arguably the most recongnisable brand and jingle in tyre retail. Most people who walk past a Bob Jane T-Marts store or branding of some kind will be able to hum the famous “Bob Jane T-Marts” jingle.
The Bob Jane T-Marts Network Today
Bob Jane T-Marts has developed into one of Australia’s largest specialist tyre retail networks.
TreadTorque’s analysis of the retailer’s current store locator identifies 135 locations across Australia:
| State/Territory | Stores |
|---|---|
| Queensland | 35 |
| New South Wales | 30 |
| Victoria | 29 |
| Western Australia | 18 |
| South Australia | 15 |
| Tasmania | 4 |
| ACT | 3 |
| Northern Territory | 1 |
| Australia | 135 |
The network has its largest presence in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, but importantly maintains representation in every Australian state and territory, focused on metro areas as they do not touch commercial truck and bus business.
While many locations are concentrated around metropolitan and major population centres, the network also extends into regional Australia where the car population can produce enough demand for a Bob Jane T-Marts store. Examples include Townsville, Shepperton, Darwin and Mildura.
Company Stores and Franchisees
Franchising has been part of the Bob Jane T-Marts business model since 1972, but not every T-Mart is independently operated.
Most locations are franchisee-operated. But regardless of ownership structure, stores operate under the Bob Jane T-Marts brand and participate in the network’s national retail programs. They also offer a consistent customer experience throughout the network.
For consumers, this means the branding, product range and major promotions may be consistent nationally, while the people operating individual stores can have an influence on the customer experience, which is true of most businesses.
This is particularly relevant when considering customer reviews. The experience at one Bob Jane T-Marts should not necessarily be assumed to represent every store in a network of 135 locations.
What Does Bob Jane T-Marts Sell?
One of the most significant differences between Bob Jane T-Marts and a manufacturer-backed tyre retail network is its multi-brand product range.
An important part of Bob Jane T-Marts’ multi-brand approach is that the network does not position itself as simply offering every tyre brand available in the Australian market.
Its stocked range is built around products the business is prepared to sell and support through its customer programs, with Bob Jane T-Marts describing its range as consisting of high-quality tyres across passenger, performance, 4WD, van and light-truck applications.
The company also conducts its own tyre testing to develop first-hand knowledge of the safety and performance of products it stocks and recommends. This is particularly relevant to its Tyre Satisfaction Guarantee, which allows eligible customers who are unhappy with their tyres to exchange them within 30 days or 1,000 kilometres for something better suited to their driving needs, subject to the program’s conditions.
Its current range includes brands such as:
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Pirelli
- Continental
- BFGoodrich
- Yokohama
- Hankook
- Kumho
- Falken
- Firestone
- Maxxis
- Radar
- RoadX
- Tracmax
The exact range and availability can vary according to tyre size, vehicle application and store inventory.
This multi-brand approach gives customers the opportunity to compare different manufacturers, performance levels and price points within the same retailer.
For a customer who has not already decided on a particular tyre brand, that can be useful.
However, as with any tyre retailer, customers should still ask why a particular tyre is being recommended and whether other suitable alternatives are available.
Bob Jane Exclusive Tyres
Alongside major international tyre manufacturers, Bob Jane T-Marts also stocks and sells its own private brand exclusive to its own retail network.
The well know Bob Jane All Rounder was discontinued a few years ago, however the J-Trax all-terrain tyre and Moto Sportx JS-777 is still available and is manufactured by Bridgestone.
These provide the retailer with additional options across different price points and vehicle applications.
Exclusive products can be useful for customers looking for a lower-cost alternative, but they require a slightly different approach when comparing prices.
If the same tyre is not available from another retailer, it cannot easily be compared on price alone.
Instead, consumers should compare factors such as:
- Tyre specifications
- Intended vehicle application
- Wet and dry performance
- Expected durability
- Warranty coverage
- Independent tyre testing where available
- The final fitted price
This is particularly important when comparing an exclusive tyre with a similarly priced product from a widely distributed tyre manufacturer.
More Than Tyres
Tyres remain at the centre of the Bob Jane T-Marts business, but the network has also developed a substantial presence in wheels and related automotive products.
Typical services available across the network include:
- Tyre fitting
- Wheel balancing
- Wheel alignment
- Puncture repairs
- Tyre rotation
- Wheels
- Batteries
Services can vary between locations, so customers requiring a particular service should check with their local store.
The focus is somewhat different from retailers that have expanded heavily into general mechanical servicing.
Bob Jane T-Marts remains primarily a tyre, wheel and associated automotive specialist, with tyres continuing to form the core of its retail proposition.
A Major Player in Wheels
Wheels have also been an important part of the Bob Jane business for decades.
The company offers wheels for passenger cars, performance vehicles, SUVs and 4WDs, allowing customers to purchase a wheel and tyre package through the same retailer.
This is particularly relevant for customers changing wheel diameter, fitting aftermarket wheels or upgrading a 4WD.
When changing wheels and tyres, customers should ensure the resulting combination remains suitable for the vehicle, including considerations such as load capacity, tyre dimensions, wheel offset and applicable state regulations.
How Does Bob Jane Price Its Tyres?
Price competition has long been a major part of the Bob Jane T-Marts retail proposition.
The company currently promotes a Best Tyre Price Guarantee.
Under the current program, if an eligible customer finds an identical tyre from Bob Jane’s stocked range advertised or formally quoted for less by a competitor, Bob Jane says it will match the competitor’s price and provide an additional amount equivalent to 10% of the difference.
Conditions and exclusions apply, so customers intending to use the guarantee should check the current terms, however most stores are pretty good at explaining what competitor prices they are willing to accept and beat.
What Is Included in the Tyre Price?
This is an important consideration when comparing tyre quotes.
Bob Jane states that its advertised tyre prices include:
- Tyre fitting
- Wheel balancing
- Standard tubeless valves
- GST
- Tyre disposal
There can be additional costs in some circumstances, including components associated with tyre pressure monitoring systems.
When comparing Bob Jane with another retailer, consumers should therefore compare the total fitted price, rather than simply comparing the advertised price of the tyre itself.
A tyre advertised for slightly less elsewhere may not necessarily result in a lower final invoice if fitting, balancing, disposal or other charges are subsequently added.
Tyre Satisfaction and Warranty Programs
Bob Jane T-Marts also offers several programs designed to provide additional protection and peace of mind when purchasing tyres.
These include its Tyre Satisfaction Guarantee, under which eligible tyres can be exchanged within a specified period if the customer is dissatisfied, subject to the program’s terms and conditions. This program is usually a sure sign that they back the products they stock and sell.
Selected products can also qualify for road hazard protection against certain types of accidental tyre damage.
Bob Jane additionally promotes its Long Life Tyre Plan, providing ongoing tyre maintenance services for qualifying purchases.
The best part of this program is the free three month check, this is usually designed to make sure your wheel nuts torque settings are still good and that the wheel alignment has not shifted.
The idea behind the program is a tyre maintenance program to ensure the life of your tyres are optimised, which is a good thing not only from a customer experience but also for the environment when a tyre gives a customer the best possible mileage.
These programs can add value, but consumers should check the current conditions, exclusions and eligibility requirements rather than assuming every tyre automatically qualifies.
Why Consider Bob Jane T-Marts?
Bob Jane T-Marts occupies an interesting position in the Australian tyre retail market.
It isn’t a tyre manufacturer operating its own branded retail network. Instead, it is an Australian-owned specialist retailer offering products from numerous competing tyre manufacturers.
That provides some advantages for consumers.
A Bob Jane store may be able to offer several tyres suitable for the same vehicle from different manufacturers and at different price points.
This gives customers the opportunity to ask a useful question:
“What other tyres would you recommend in this size, and why?”
A good tyre recommendation should consider more than simply whether a tyre fits the vehicle.
Your annual kilometres, the type of roads you drive on, wet-weather requirements, noise and comfort preferences, expected tyre life, vehicle performance and budget can all affect which tyre represents the most appropriate choice.
A multi-brand retailer should potentially be able to offer alternatives based on those requirements.
What to Know Before Visiting Bob Jane T-Marts
There are several things worth understanding before choosing a Bob Jane store.
It Is a Multi-Brand Retailer
Bob Jane offers products from many major tyre manufacturers alongside exclusive products.
That makes the network particularly relevant for consumers wanting to compare several tyre options without visiting multiple retailers.
Stores Have Different Ownership Structures
The network includes both company-operated stores and independently operated franchises.
TreadTorque’s current store database identifies 50 franchisee-operated locations within the 135-store network.
Tyres Remain the Core Business
Bob Jane T-Marts is primarily a specialist tyre and wheel retailer rather than a general automotive servicing chain.
For consumers principally looking for tyres, wheels, wheel alignment or related services, this specialist focus may be useful.
Look at the Total Fitted Price
Bob Jane includes several normal tyre-fitting costs within its advertised pricing.
When comparing quotes, make sure competing offers include fitting, balancing, disposal and any other applicable charges.
Exclusive Tyres Can Be Harder to Compare
If a tyre is exclusive to Bob Jane, you may not be able to find an identical product at another retailer.
In this situation, compare its specifications, intended use, warranty and available independent performance information with similarly priced alternatives.
Ask Why a Tyre Is Being Recommended
A large multi-brand range does not automatically mean every available option will be discussed.
Ask what alternatives are available and why the salesperson believes the recommended tyre suits your particular vehicle and driving.
