Les Schwab Cuts 70 Jobs at Bend Headquarters
The Oregon-founded tire retailer says the restructuring will better align corporate resources with its continued expansion.
Originally published 4:48 p.m. 6/8/26, updated 5:22 p.m. 6/8/26.
BEND, Ore. — Les Schwab Tire Centers has confirmed directly to HiveWire Daily that approximately 70 positions at its Bend headquarters are affected by a corporate restructuring.
The cuts represent about 14% of the roughly 500 employees who worked at the company’s Central Oregon headquarters. Approximately 430 headquarters employees remain, according to reporting from The Oregonian/OregonLive.
Les Schwab has not identified which departments or types of positions were affected. The company also has not disclosed specific details about the severance and extended benefits being provided to departing employees.
Jodie Hueske, Les Schwab’s chief administrative officer, said the restructuring is intended to better align company resources with the needs of its stores, customers and continued growth.
The company said the changes are not driven by short-term business performance challenges.
Les Schwab has added 100 locations in four new states over the past three years and plans to open another 30 locations in 2026. The company currently operates more than 600 locations and employs approximately 9,000 people.
A Les Schwab tire technician works on a customer’s vehicle. The company has not disclosed which headquarters departments or job categories were affected by the 70-position reduction, or whether any additional staffing changes are planned. (Les Schwab newsroom)
Statement from Les Schwab
Below is the full statement provided to HiveWire Daily and attributed to Hueske:
Les Schwab Tires made the difficult decision to restructure portions of its headquarters team in Bend. These changes affect about 70 headquarters roles.
Saying goodbye to coworkers who have contributed to the company is never easy, and we recognize the impact this has on employees and their families. Employees leaving the company as part of these changes are being provided transition support, including severance and extended benefits.
This restructure is part of a broader effort to better align resources around serving stores, supporting customers, and supporting the company’s continued growth. As Les Schwab Tires has expanded to more than 600 locations and 9,000 employees, we continue to evaluate how work is organized and where targeted investment is needed.
These changes are not driven by short-term business performance challenges. Les Schwab Tires has added 100 locations in four new states over the past three years and plans to open another 30 locations this year. The restructure will ensure the company remains positioned to support stores and customers while continuing to invest in capabilities needed for the future.
Les Schwab Tires remains deeply committed to the principles established by its founder, including taking care of customers and supporting the people who serve them every day.
Changes Follow Leadership Transition
The restructuring comes two months after Tom Nolan became Les Schwab’s chief executive officer and chairman of the board.
Nolan took over April 7 after previously serving as CEO of jewelry and lifestyle retailer Kendra Scott. He had served on the Les Schwab board since 2025 and succeeded Mike Broberg, who led the company for three years.
When Nolan’s appointment was announced in March, the company said he would focus on continued growth, operational performance and customer experience.
Les Schwab was founded in Prineville in 1952 and later moved its corporate headquarters to Bend. The company grew into one of Oregon’s best-known homegrown businesses, with stores throughout the western United States and a growing presence in the Midwest.
The Schwab family sold the privately held company to California investment firm Meritage Group in 2020, ending nearly seven decades of family ownership.
Despite the headquarters reductions, the company said it remains committed to expanding its store network and investing in areas needed to support future growth.
Les Schwab did not say whether additional headquarters changes are expected.
Cover image: The Oregon-founded company has eliminated about 70 positions at its Bend headquarters as part of a corporate restructuring. (Les Schwab newsroom)
