David R. Melton
Auto Dealership Capital Advisor
From the Desk of David Melton
I serve as a trusted dealership broker to auto dealers across the U.S., helping them navigate some of the most important transitions and opportunities of their careers. My role today is to serve as a trusted, full-service M&A advisor to dealership owners who are ready to grow, transition, or unlock the value tied up in their business and real estate.
With over 40 years of experience in dealership operations, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate strategies—including my tenure as a dealership COO—I understand the pressures of ownership firsthand. I know the weight of balancing daily performance with long-term enterprise value, and I’ve lived the importance of timing, negotiation, and deal structure when it comes to growth, succession, or exit planning.
Whether you’re preparing to sell your dealership, expand through acquisitions, reposition real estate, or utilize tools like sale-leasebacks and 1031 exchanges, my role is to protect your equity and ensure every decision strengthens your financial position. From confidential marketing to qualified buyers, to structuring capital-efficient transactions, I work with precision to deliver outcomes that create lasting value.
Every engagement is personal, confidential, and dealer-focused—providing the clarity, strategy, and confidence you need to move forward. My mission is simple: to ensure your dealership goals, whether growth or transition, are achieved with the greatest impact today and the strongest foundation for tomorrow.
Buy-Sell Advisory Services for Dealers
I know the dealership business because I’ve lived it. As a former dealership COO and now as an Automotive Capital Advisor, I work one-on-one with auto dealers across the country—whether you're planning to grow, transition, or unlock the value tied up in your business and real estate.
This isn’t just about managing transactions—it's about protecting what you've built. I understand the unique challenges of running a dealership, from balancing OEM requirements to managing facilities, floor plans, and staff. My job is to bring the right buyers to the table confidentially, structure the right terms, and help you maximize value—so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and control.
Off-Market Acquisitions
Growth starts with finding the right opportunities. We help dealers expand their platforms by sourcing on- and off-market dealerships that align with your franchise requirements, market positioning, and long-term goals. From initial screening to due diligence, we ensure every potential acquisition is a strategic fit that adds real value to your business.
Sell-Side Advisors
When it’s time to transition or exit, we represent your dealership with confidentiality and precision. Our team markets your business only to qualified buyers, protects sensitive information, and negotiates terms that safeguard your hard work and legacy. Whether you’re selling a single store or a multi-location group, we focus on maximizing value while minimizing disruption.
Valuation, Strategy & Negotiation: Built to Protect
Every successful dealership transaction starts with an accurate valuation—and that’s where I come in. I deliver in-depth, data-driven assessments of both your business and your real estate holdings, giving you a clear picture of what your dealership is truly worth. Whether you're preparing to sell, recapitalize, or transition to the next generation, I structure each deal to strengthen your financial position, reduce tax exposure, and support your long-term goals.
But valuation is just the beginning. Every contract, every term, and every negotiation matters. From purchase and sale agreements to customized lease structures, I advocate fiercely on your behalf to protect your interests at every step. My approach to deal strategy is both precise and practical—ensuring that operational control, financial stability, and the legacy you've worked hard to build are reflected in the outcome.
My role is simple: to give you clarity, protect your equity, and deliver results that leave nothing on the table.
Seamless Coordination
The dealership sale or acquisition process involves many moving parts. We serve as the central point of coordination between your attorneys, CPAs, lenders, and OEM representatives, ensuring the process remains on track and eliminating potential roadblocks. This allows you to stay focused on running your store while we handle the details behind the scenes.
A successful deal doesn’t end at closing—it’s about what happens next. Whether you’re retiring, passing the business to the next generation, or joining a larger dealer group, we provide guidance throughout the transition process. Our goal is to make sure your employees, customers, and operations are positioned for stability and long-term success.
Unlocking the Value in Your Dealership Real Estate
Your dealership property can be one of your biggest hidden assets. Through sale-leasebacks, we help dealers free up capital while continuing to operate from the same location. This strategy is especially effective when funding acquisitions, upgrades, or debt reduction.
Benefits of a Sale-Leaseback for Dealers:
Your dealership property can be a powerful financial tool. Through sale-leasebacks, I help you convert frozen equity into capital you can use—without giving up control of your location. This strategy can fund acquisitions, facility upgrades, or help you deleverage—all while keeping your operation intact.
🟡 Gain immediate liquidity to fund growth, remodels, or reduce debt
🟡 Keep operating from the same location under a long-term lease
🟡 Strengthen your balance sheet while preserving ownership flexibility
🟡 Appeal to investors seeking high-quality net-leased automotive properties
About Me
I serve as a trusted Dealership Brokerage Advisor to auto dealers across the U.S., providing full-service support for franchised new and used car dealerships. My role is to help automotive dealers unlock value, plan for growth or transition, and navigate the complex process of buying, selling, or restructuring their operations and related real estate.
With over 40 years in the automotive dealership industry—including my tenure as a dealership COO—I bring an operator’s perspective to every engagement. I understand the daily pressures of running a store, and I know how to balance those demands with long-term goals like succession, expansion, or exit planning. I’ve sat in the same seat as my clients, and I bring clarity, confidentiality, and precision to every high-stakes decision.
My brokerage and advisory work focuses on three core areas:
🟡 Buy-Side & Sell-Side Representation
Whether you're acquiring your next location or preparing to exit, I represent your interests from start to finish—sourcing opportunities, screening buyers, negotiating terms, and closing transactions. Every deal is structured to maximize value and protect your legacy.
🟡 Valuation, Growth & Succession Planning
I provide clear, data-backed valuations and help owners design transition plans—whether passing the business to family, preparing for a third-party sale, or executing a long-term exit strategy. My goal is to preserve equity, minimize disruption, and honor your legacy.
🟡 Real Estate & Capital Strategies
From sale-leasebacks and 1031 exchanges to creative capital structuring, I integrate real estate into every transaction. I help dealers unlock liquidity from owned property without sacrificing operational control or future flexibility.
I collaborate closely with CPAs, attorneys, estate planners, OEM reps, and lenders to ensure each transaction is fully coordinated and aligned with your broader business and financial goals.
David R. Melton
“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
– Abraham Lincoln
Let’s Talk
If you’re considering selling your dealership, unlocking equity in your real estate, or planning a strategic exit, I’d be happy to have a confidential conversation.