1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 24.01




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc., a New York corporation (the "Corporation"),
constitutes and appoints ROBERT G. GROSS to be his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution,
for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities in connection with the filing of the Annual Report of Form 10-K of
the Corporation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 (the "Form 10-K") with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, to sign the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments related thereto and to file the same, with any exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all
intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, this power of attorney has been signed by the following director on
June 22, 2001.


/s/ Jack M. Gallagher
- ------------------------------------
Jack M. Gallagher

/s/ Robert W. August
- ------------------------------------
Robert W. August

/s/ Frederick M. Danziger
- ------------------------------------
Frederick M. Danziger

/s/ Donald Glickman
- ------------------------------------
Donald Glickman

/s/ Lionel B. Spiro
- ------------------------------------
Lionel B. Spiro

/s/ Burton S. August
- ------------------------------------
Burton S. August

/s/ Charles J. August
- ------------------------------------
Charles J. August

/s/ W. Gary Wood
- ------------------------------------
W. Gary Wood

/s/ Peter J. Solomon
- ------------------------------------
Peter J. Solomon


                                       61