Our Story
If you've landed on this page, you're probably curious about how we got started here in Provo, UT just across the street from BYU campus. Here's our story and how we're impacting the community here at BYU
Hi, my name is Jay Grijalva. I graduated from BYU in April 2025 with a degree in Economics. I started my first business in 2023 renting cars on the car-sharing app, Turo. After On April 15, 2025, 10 days before I graduated, I bought Cougar Tire and Auto and officially took over as the new owner. I may be the owner of the shop but our technicians and service advisors are the ones that make things happen around here.
One of my biggest goals for Cougar Tire and Auto is to make it a student and faculty friendly place to bring their vehicles. That's why we started offering BYU discounts and cater our lobby to students waiting on oil changes or brake replacements.
How we found it...
In my last semester at BYU, I took a class from Reid Tileston about how to buy a business. I was already set on buying an automotive repair shop because it was complementary to my car rental business, but a few months before Reid found out Cougar Tire was being sold so it was an easy choice to pursue.
How we bought it...
An incredible group of investors and advisors made this possible. Groups like iHub Utah, a non-profit startup incubator in Provo, and angel investors like Bubba Page from Influence VC, Jeff Jensen from Mission Belt, and Reid Tileston from BYU came in to advise and consult to make sure we did this right. Their input has been invaluable in getting the shop from an old greasy mechanic shop to a student-friendly automotive facility.
What we're doing now...
We've already done so much to change the customer experience. From a new lobby with cookies and refreshments to a new vehicle check-in process with pictures and notes for all your vehicle's needs, we are doing everything we YOU in mind. We love feedback so if you ever feel like there is something we can do differently give me a call or shoot me a text at my personal number: 972-670-1302.
Our Mission
At Cougar Tire and Auto, our mission is to provide honest, high-quality automotive service in a no-pressure environment that puts people first—especially the students and families in our community. We believe transparency builds trust, so we explain repairs clearly, offer fair recommendations, and never push services you don’t need. Our experienced technicians take pride in doing the job right the first time, using quality parts and proven methods. Whether you're here for routine maintenance or unexpected repairs, we treat you with respect and work to earn your confidence every step of the way.