Every February for the last 47 years, drivers throughout the Northwest have headed to Les Schwab Tire Centers for the chain’s “Free Beef” promotion.
Running until Feb. 28, the company this year anticipates giving away more than 100,000 pounds of beef party packs consisting of summer sausage and beef jerky or frozen steaks and hamburgers, amounting to some $1 million in value.
“Free beef in February is a Les Schwab tradition,” reports Brian Capp, vice president of marketing.
“Our company’s first tire centers were located in rural and agricultural communities, and Les Schwab came up with the idea as a way to promote his business and support his farming and ranching customers. As the company expanded, the promotion expanded as well,” Capp explains.
The logistics behind the giveaway require region-wide planning and organization.
The company has more than 400 freezers installed in stores throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, Nevada and Utah.
Schwab’s purchases the meat from local USDA Certified vendors to support the region’s cattle industry.
The company also gives away recipe brochures provided by beef producers.
Customers get the giveaway when they buy two or four new car or light truck tires.
“We have a history of providing service that goes beyond our customer’s expectations,” Capp says. “Free beef is another way we work to let customers know we really value their business.”
The company has more than 6,600 employees at 420 locations, receiving recognition for its environmental and business practices such as a Milestone award from the Oregon Sustainability Board and honors from the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, plus an Environmental Excellence award from the Association of Washington Business.
In 2008 Schwab ranked among the Top 20 in the Best Places to Work survey conducted by Oregon Business magazine.
For more information, visit www.lesschwab.com.
