Big O Tires announces first quarter results; EPS Up 50%.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 1995--Big O Tires, Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS: "BIGO") today announced net income of $.09 per share for the first quarter 1995 versus $.06 per share for the first quarter 1994.

Sales for the first quarter, 1995, increased $2,760,000, or 10.5%, over the first three months of 1994. Steven P. Cloward, President, noted, "The success of the Cost-U-Less(tm) program continued as the sale of Big O brand units increased by 74,145 units, or 28.4%, as compared to the first quarter, 1994. While the gross margin was down slightly from last year, the significant increase in Big O brand sales has led to an increase in overall gross profit dollars."

John E. Siipola, Chairman, stated:

"We are pleased to report a 50% increase in earnings per share as

compared to the same period 1994. Our continued efforts to fulfill 

the shareholder proposal added $321,000 of pretax expense, which

reduced earnings by approximately 5.5 cents per share. We are

continuing to evaluate alternatives to increase the value of the

company.

"The conversion to our Las Vegas distribution center also started

during the first quarter. It is anticipated that this conversion

process will be completed during the second quarter. We expect to

see the planned reduction in our selling and administrative

expenses starting in the third quarter, 1995."

Following are the financial results for the first quarters, 1995 and 1994:

                           BIG O TIRES, INC.
                           OPERATING RESULTS
                        QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31
                     (000's except share amounts)

                                         1995             1994

Sales                                 $   29,153       $   26,393
Income before income taxes            $      498       $      357
Net income                            $      289       $      205
Net income per share                  $      .09       $      .06
Average shares outstanding             3,376,172        3,238,104

Big O Tires, Inc., is one of the largest independent retail tire and auto service franchisors in North America, serving more than 375 stores in 18 states primarily in the West and Midwest. The company also distributes tires and other automotive products to 37 Associated Dealers in British Columbia, Canada. It is the sole distributor of its private Big O brand tires and a major distributor of other brands such as Michelin, B.F. Goodrich and Uniroyal, as well as aftermarket suspension parts manufactured by Monroe Auto Equipment.

CONTACT: Big O Tires Inc., Englewood

Beth R. Hayne, Director Investor Relations,

[phone]