These will be "run flat" tires. They're to get you off the road to a safe location where a rollback (flat bed tow truck) can pick you up and take you to a tire shop.

There's nothing special about the wheels, so you can mount an appropriately sized "regular" tire and continue on your way. Worth the $250 to get on your way, I think.

I'd guess any non-dealer tire shop would have just sold your friend the tire and sent him on his way.