About Us Company History of The Friendship Family of Dealerships

The Beginning

Founded on December 6, 1993, Friendship Ford of Bristol officially opened its doors in Bristol, Tennessee,  marking the beginning of what would become one of the region’s most respected automotive groups. The Ford  franchise had been dormant since the previous dealership closed in early 1991 after approximately 20 years of  operation. Ford Motor Company maintained control of the franchise and carefully evaluated potential  ownership candidates. After nearly eighteen months of persistence and dedication, Mitch Walters was awarded  the franchise, establishing Friendship Ford of Bristol, located on the Volunteer Parkway, and laying the  foundation for the Friendship Family of Dealerships. 

In the spring of 2019, Friendship Ford of Bristol relocated to a new 45,000-square-foot state-of-the-art  facility on West State Street near Interstate 81, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to growth,  customer service, and innovation. 

 

Expanding Across the Southeast 

Friendship’s expansion began in 1999 when Mitch Walters and longtime friend Steve Stefanovich purchased  the Honda dealership in Boone, North Carolina. Renamed High Country Honda, the dealership opened in  January 2000. Mitch later acquired full ownership in 2007, and the dealership now operates as Friendship  Honda of Boone. 

In 2003, Friendship joined the Hyundai brand by acquiring the exclusive Hyundai franchise for the Tri-Cities  region, creating Friendship Hyundai of Bristol. Continued success led Hyundai Motor America to award  Friendship a second franchise and Friendship Hyundai of Johnson City opened in January 2006. 

Growth continued with the addition of Friendship Volvo of Bristol in 2007 and the acquisition of Friendship  Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Bristol in 2008. In July 2020, Friendship CJDR of Bristol relocated to a  brand-new state-of-the-art facility on West State Street, near Interstate 81. 

Building Service and Pre-Owned Operations 

Friendship expanded its service operations in 2012 with the opening of Quick Lane Tire & Service Center,  now operating as Friendship Car Care. During 2012 and 2013, Friendship further diversified its business  model by launching FriendshipCars.com locations in Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City, providing  customers with quality pre-owned vehicles across the region. The Bristol and Johnson City locations become  Zoom Automotive in 2022.  

Expansion into North Carolina 

In 2014, Friendship entered the Forest City, North Carolina market by acquiring Friendship Nissan of Forest  City in partnership with Roy Mullins, who served as Vice President and General Manager. Later that year,  Friendship was awarded a new Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram franchise in Forest City, creating Friendship  CJDR of Forest City. Roy Mullins remained an operating partner until his retirement in 2025. 

Additional expansion came in May 2021 with the acquisition of the Chevrolet-GMC-Buick dealership in Forest  City. Following the discontinuation of the Buick franchise in 2023, the dealership became Friendship  Chevrolet-GMC of Forest City, establishing Friendship’s third location in the Forest City market.

Entering the Powersports Industry 

Friendship entered the powersports industry in June 2015 with the opening of Friendship Motorsports in  Bristol, Virginia. The dealership represented premier brands including Indian Motorcycle, Yamaha, Triumph,  Royal Enfield, Polaris, and Slingshot. Under the leadership of Vice President and Operating Partner Mick  Marshall, the dealership became Friendship’s first venture in Virginia. The location was sold to Mountain  Motorsports in April 2026. 

The company expanded its powersports presence in February 2016 with the opening of Indian Motorcycle of  Savannah in Georgia. Under the leadership of Bob Millsap, the dealership added Polaris and Slingshot in  2020, followed by Suzuki and Royal Enfield in 2023, creating a diverse and successful powersports operation. 

Continued Automotive Growth 

Friendship acquired the Ford dealership in Lenoir, North Carolina, in January 2019, rebranding it as  Friendship Ford of Lenoir. The dealership served the community until its sale to Car Heroes of Tampa,  Florida, in May 2026. 

In March 2020, Friendship acquired the Nissan dealership in Boone, North Carolina, expanding its presence in  the High-Country market. Friendship Nissan of Boone was later sold to Open Roads Nissan in October 2024. 

Major Expansion into West Virginia 

The year 2023 marked one of the most significant growth periods in Friendship history. At the request of  Hyundai Motor America, Friendship acquired the Hyundai Dealership in Princeton, West Virginia, establishing  the company’s first location in the state with Friendship Hyundai of Princeton.  

Soon afterward, Friendship acquired the Kia and Subaru franchises located in Beckley, West Virginia, followed  immediately by the acquisition of the Hyundai Dealership in Beckley. These transactions brought four new  dealerships into the Friendship family: 

• Friendship Hyundai of Princeton • Friendship Kia of Beckley 

• Friendship Hyundai of Beckley • Friendship Subaru of Beckley 

Strengthening the Tri-Cities Market 

In December 2023, Friendship completed one of the largest acquisitions in company history with the purchase  of AutoNation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Johnson City. Rebranded as Friendship CJDR of Johnson City,  the acquisition strengthened Friendship’s leadership position in Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, and Dodge sales and  service throughout the Tri-Cities region. 

Investing in the Future 

Friendship continues to invest heavily in facilities, infrastructure, and customer experience. 

In April 2026, Friendship opened a brand-new state-of-the-art Hyundai facility in Kingsport, Tennessee,  further expanding the company’s presence in the Tri-Cities market and providing customers with a modern  retail and service experience designed to meet Hyundai’s latest standards. Friendship owns Hyundai locations  in Bristol, Kingsport, & Johnson City, Tennessee by adding Friendship Hyundai of Kingsport. 

In June 2026, Friendship broke ground on a new Ford Pro Elite Commercial Service Center in Bristol,  Tennessee. Scheduled to open in early 2027, the facility will significantly expand Friendship’s commercial  vehicle service capabilities and reinforce its commitment to serving business and fleet customers throughout  the region with 24 additional heavy duty truck service bays. 

Recognition and Culture 

The Friendship Family of Dealerships has earned national recognition as one of the Automotive News  Best Dealerships to Work For every year since 2011 and has been honored as the #1 Best Dealership to  Work For in America. Friendship remains one of only a select group of dealership organizations with locations  that have earned this distinction every year since the program's inception. 

The company’s success is rooted in its commitment to its people. Friendship has built a culture centered on  leadership development, employee growth, customer service excellence, and community involvement. 

Leadership 

Mitch Walters has been active in the automobile business virtually all of his life. His father Robert Walters and  grandfather Joseph Walters were the Chevrolet dealers in Hebron, Ohio, a small town in South Central Ohio.  After working several years at Walters Chevrolet in most every department and graduating from college in  May of 1976, Mitch moved to Bristol, Tennessee to further his experience in the automotive industry. Mitch  started in sales at the local Chevrolet – Cadillac dealership and worked his way up to Vice President / General  Manager and partner of the local Honda · Mazda · Nissan · and Suzuki dealerships. In 2007, Mitch sold his  interest and focused entirely on building the Friendship brand 

Today, both of Mitch’s sons are active shareholders and leaders within the organization: • Brandon Walters serves as President and Chief Executive Officer 

• Dustin Walters serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Together, they continue to guide the company’s strategic growth while maintaining the values and culture  established by their father. 

Corporate Headquarters and Community Impact 

Friendship’s corporate headquarters opened in May 2014 on West State Street in Bristol, Tennessee. The  facility serves as the administrative center for the organization and houses both the Friendship Foundation and the Friendship Institute of Excellence, supporting charitable giving, leadership development, and  employee training initiatives. 

A second administrative office located on Meadowview Road in Bristol was added in 2024 to accommodate the  continued growth of Friendship’s accounting and administrative teams. 

Beyond business success, Friendship remains deeply committed to supporting the communities it serves  through charitable partnerships, educational initiatives, and civic engagement. Mitch and Danea Walters have  long been active supporters of numerous community organizations, and that spirit of giving continues  throughout the Friendship organization today. 

Camp Friendship  

The Friendship Family of Dealerships created the FriendshipCares initiative to support our local  communities, and in 2021 Camp Friendship was established.  

Partnered closely with the Bristol YMCA Summer Camp Program, Camp Friendship is able to create  meaningful opportunities for children to connect with nature. Kids embark on unforgettable adventures,  immersing themselves in the tranquility of the great outdoors. Surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature, they  engage in activities like hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, crafts, roasting marshmallows around the campfire,  and much more! These experiences foster a deep appreciation for the environment while cultivating lifelong  memories and friendships. Mitch Walters has a mission to “Get the kids feet wet, hands dirty and enjoy the  outdoors.” 

Goals • Vision • Dreams 

From its founding, Friendship has been driven by a simple mission: To Build A Great Company Through  Great People While Delivering Award-Winning Service To Every Customer. 

The future vision of The Friendship Family of Dealerships includes continued growth through strategic  acquisitions, facility investments, employee development, and operational excellence. As Team Friendship  grows, so too will the opportunities available to its employees and the communities it serves. 

Leadership in every market, exceptional customer experiences, and a commitment to the next generation  remain central priorities for the organization through The Friendship Foundation, The Friendship Institute  of Excellence, and a culture built on teamwork and service, Friendship will continue to strengthen the regions  it serves while building one of the premier automotive groups in America. 

WE’RE DEALIN’!