If you’ve recently driven past an empty Carquest or heard rumors floating around about big store closures, you might be wondering: Is Carquest going out of business? Rumors like these tend to pick up when a company downsizes or changes direction.
But here’s the bottom line: Carquest is not shutting down completely, and the brand isn’t disappearing. Instead, the company’s parent, Advance Auto Parts, has been making a bunch of changes in how it operates Carquest stores. Think of it like rearranging the furniture to fit a changing house sometimes a room gets cleared out, but that doesn’t mean someone’s moving out for good.
The Current Status of Carquest Stores
Let’s get right to where things are now. Carquest is owned and operated as a part of Advance Auto Parts. In late 2023 and early 2024, you probably saw plenty of headlines about Carquest and Advance Auto Parts closing stores and that did happen. Around 700 underperforming stores in the U.S. were shuttered as part of a major restructuring plan.
But, here’s the thing: Not every Carquest closed. Advance Auto Parts finished its closure process earlier this year. Now, Carquest continues to operate through more than 900 independent stores across the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and a handful of Caribbean locations.
So, while you may have lost your nearest local Carquest, elsewhere the lights are still on and it’s business as usual.
Some Stores Did Close Here’s Why
You might ask, “Why close hundreds of locations?” The answer really comes down to how the auto parts business is changing.
In recent years, car owners have held onto their vehicles longer, which actually means there’s more long-term demand for replacement parts and maintenance items. But how people shop for those parts has shifted, with more purchases moving online and more competition from chains like O’Reilly and AutoZone.
Like a lot of retail sectors, this forces companies to look more closely at which stores are worth keeping open. Advance Auto Parts decided to focus their physical presence on areas where Carquest performs best, trimming away stores that weren’t pulling their weight.
It’s not always fun news if your local spot closes, but that’s totally different from the brand vanishing entirely.
Carquest’s Role Inside Advance Auto Parts
Carquest isn’t its own separate company anymore. It’s a brand under the larger Advance Auto Parts umbrella. In fact, Advance Auto acquired Carquest as part of an expansion effort back in 2013.
Today, Carquest operates primarily as a supplier of parts to independently-owned stores and auto repair shops. Picture it as more of a franchise-plus-distributor rather than a standalone retailer trying to run thousands of big-box stores in every city.
So, when Advance Auto Parts says it’s closing stores, most of the cuts affected company-run Carquest outlets. The independently operated locations, owned by local business owners and mechanics, have largely stayed operational and even continue to serve smaller communities where other big retailers might not bother.
Canada and Beyond: What Happened to International Stores?
Canada’s Carquest operations actually ended up at the heart of a bigger discussion in 2024. At one point, Advance Auto Parts considered selling the Carquest business in Canada altogether.
The idea was to free up cash and concentrate on their strongest U.S. markets. But after taking a long, hard look, the company pulled back from the sale. Instead, executives decided that Carquest Canada still made sense as part of a broader long-term strategy.
So, Carquest stores are still up and running across Canada, as well as in smaller international markets like Mexico and the Caribbean, and there’s no current plan to leave those areas behind.
New Plans, Same Name: What’s Next for Carquest?
Making sense of company restructuring can get confusing, especially when every news story shouts about “big closings.” But what happens after you turn off the “Now Closed” signs?
For Carquest, it means getting smarter about where new locations go. Advance Auto Parts has set its sights on expansion after cutting less-profitable shops. The current plan? Open about 30 new U.S. stores in 2025, with another 100-plus new sites many of them major “market hub” locations by the end of 2027.
Market hubs are basically bigger, higher-volume stores that can act as supply centers for surrounding smaller stores and auto repair shops. It lets Carquest keep inventory moving quickly where demand is proven, and ensures drivers can still get what they need fast.
So, don’t be surprised if after all the closures you see a few grand opening banners go up in your area.
Carquest’s Strongest Regions
One interesting twist in all this is where the remaining Carquest shops are located. Advance Auto Parts has said that over three-quarters of their remaining stores are now in markets where they’re either the number one or two retailer in terms of store density.
That matters, because density usually means a proven customer base. If there are enough loyal car owners and repair shops still relying on Carquest, it’s more likely the brand stays sustainable there for years to come.
You can think of it like a sports team keeping only their top players on the field, rather than trying to stretch a thin roster too far.
A Broader Trend in Retail
Carquest’s story isn’t unique. A lot of established retailers, especially in the auto parts world, are figuring out how to stay sharp as shopping habits evolve and rivals get more aggressive.
We’ve seen similar strategies from competitors, like shutting down older, less-used stores and opening larger distribution hubs in core markets. The emphasis isn’t on shrinking, but on right-sizing getting leaner, so every store that remains is set up to succeed.
It’s not always fun news for employees or long-time customers in closing areas, but these changes are less about retreating and more about staying in the game.
What Does This All Mean for Carquest Customers?
If you still have a Carquest nearby, you’ll probably notice a stronger focus on inventory and customer service. With fewer stores stretching resources thin, the company can put more energy into making sure their shelves are well-stocked with the parts you actually need.
If your nearest shop closed, local alternatives like Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly, NAPA, or online sellers are all still in play. For many mechanics, Carquest’s network of independent suppliers remains valuable, especially if you’re hunting for a less common part or want to shop locally.
The independent side of Carquest isn’t going anywhere either. In small towns where national chains don’t want to plant a flag, these locally-owned stores can have pretty deep customer ties.
Why Watch Carquest (Even If Your Store Closed)?
The business moves at Carquest are part of a much bigger push by Advance Auto Parts to compete for the long term. Every few years, large companies like this review their portfolios and make changes based on what’s working, what’s lagging, and what customers want now.
It’s a cycle we see across the retail industry. Instead of trying to be everywhere all at once, brands focus on their core strengths. For Carquest, that’s serving as both a trusted brand for DIY car owners and a reliable supplier to the repair shops you call when your check engine light flips on.
For more on smart business adjustments and staying ahead in changing markets, check out some of our related coverage over at Epic Business Tips.
Conclusion: Carquest Isn’t Going Away
Carquest is sticking around. Yes, there were closures sometimes hundreds at once but the brand is part of Advance Auto Parts’ longer-term plan to stay strong in a competitive industry.
What you’ll see going forward is a leaner network of stores, more focused on places where Carquest has a real edge. The company is putting money into expansions in select markets and keeping an eye on what car owners and independent shop owners need most.
If you’re a loyal customer, the blue-and-red Carquest sign isn’t disappearing anytime soon. The company just wants to make sure it’s shining where people still count on it, and not wasted in places where the numbers weren’t adding up.
For now, that’s what “not going out of business” looks like in retail not more of everything, but a better fit for the times.
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