Coeur d’Alene-based Silverlake Automotive has been acquired by Straightaway Tire & Auto, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based full-service aftermarket automotive repair and service platform.

The acquisition was completed on Jan. 15, says Izabella Dickson, brand communications manager at Straightaway. Dickson declines to disclose the financial details of the acquisition.

Silverlake Automotive is a five-location repair shop that was founded in 2003 by Will and Rebecka Sando. Will Sando will serve as brand president of Silverlake Automotive where he will continue to lead the brand with support from Straightaway. Rebecka Sando does not have a formal title with Straightaway at this time but remains closely involved as the company transitions, Dickson says. 

Silverlake Automotive’s 30 employees were retained in the acquisition.

“From the beginning, we weren’t looking for an exit. We were looking for a way to stay, lead, and continue growing Silverlake,” Will Sando says in a press release. “Straightaway’s model gives founders the ability to remain operators, build their brand, and gain the infrastructure needed to scale. We share the same values around integrity, leadership, and taking care of people, which made becoming a partner in Straightaway a natural fit.”

Silverlake Automotive has two repair shops in Coeur d'Alene, one in Post Falls, one in Rathdrum, and one in Sagle, Idaho.

Dickson says Silverlake Automotive was selected for its strong operating performance, favorable regional population growth, and attractive competitive dynamics that support long-term demand for automotive service.

“The acquisition also aligns with Straightaway’s founder-led platform strategy,” Dickson says in an email to the Journal. “As Silverlake’s leader, Will Sando brings proven experience in acquiring and growing multilocation automotive businesses.”

The acquisition marks Straightaway’s first expansion into Idaho. Since June 2025, Straightaway has completed 12 acquisitions, adding 18 locations and bringing its total footprint to 87 locations nationwide.

Straightaway Tire & Auto is financially backed by Michigan-based O2 Investment Partners, a private equity firm that is assisting Straightaway in expanding into new markets, Dickson says.