Our History

The revolutionary idea behind the Byrider franchise was first conceived in Marion, Indiana, in 1979. The concept was created by Jim DeVoe Sr., who was running a Chevy-Cadillac store with his father. Jim DeVoe’s vision was developed out of necessity. As interest rates were high and new car sales were sagging in the late 1970s, many people in tiny Marion were blue-collar workers who could not qualify for financing on a new car, yet needed transportation to get to and from their jobs. So Jim made it a goal to help people get reliable transportation, even if they’ve been turned down for traditional bank financing.

In 1979, Jim developed a business model that would allow his dealership to compete in the buy-here-pay-here category by offering consumers cars and financing all in one location, thereby making it easier to surpass the competition and help his community. His success led him to develop educational Auto Credit Seminars that he used to show hundreds of other dealers across the country how they too could succeed in this category.

Eventually, Jim’s interest in franchising his concept led to the inception of the Byrider brand, and he opened his first location in 1989. In 1993, the company moved its corporate headquarters to the Indianapolis area, where it remains today.

In 2019, Byrider relaunches with a new company vision: Be the consumer choice in helping people get a fresh opportunity to finance and own a quality vehicle. Byrider is America’s largest buy here pay here dealership network and has sold more than 1 million cars at more than 150 locations across the country.

Byrider continues to transform the automotive industry through its dedication to customer service and focus on car quality. Byrider’s success is driven by a commitment to being the consumer choice in helping people “Buy, Finance, and Drive On,” even if they’ve been turned down for traditional bank financing.