Kerrigan Advisors Facilitates Strategic Sale of Hennessy Mazda and Hennessy GMC to ALM Automotive Group, Strengthening Atlanta’s Automotive Retail Landscape
Kerrigan Advisors, a leading sell-side advisor and trusted thought partner to automotive dealers across the United States, has announced its representation of Hennessy Automobile Companies in the sale of two of its prominent dealerships—Hennessy Mazda and Hennessy GMC, both located in Morrow, Georgia—to ALM Automotive Group. The acquisition, completed by Atlanta-based ALM Automotive Group, marks another significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of the Southeastern U.S. auto retail market.
The transaction underscores Kerrigan Advisors’ continued dominance in dealership advisory, representing its 306th dealership sale and 413th franchise sale since inception, as well as its 65th franchise sold in the Southern region since 2024. The sale also highlights the continued consolidation and competitive activity among dealer groups in the high-growth Atlanta metropolitan area.
A Legacy of Automotive Excellence: Hennessy Automobile Companies
Founded in 1964, Hennessy Automobile Companies is one of Atlanta’s most respected and enduring family-owned dealership groups. Over the past six decades, the Hennessy family has built a strong reputation for customer service excellence, cultivating long-term relationships with customers and employees alike. Today, the group operates ten dealerships representing twelve franchises and eight premium brands, including Cadillac, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Lexus, and Porsche.
Hennessy’s business philosophy is rooted in a simple yet powerful vision: “making every customer a customer for life.” The company’s unwavering dedication to quality, integrity, and personalized service has made it a cornerstone of the Atlanta automotive community and a model for dealership operations nationwide.
Prime Dealership Locations in South Atlanta
The Hennessy Mazda and Hennessy GMC dealerships are strategically located just eight miles south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport and one of the region’s most critical economic engines. Their placement offers access to a wide customer base in the expanding South Atlanta market.
The two stores also benefit from significant geographic advantages—Hennessy Mazda faces no direct competition within 30 miles, and the nearest GMC dealership is located 18 miles away. This wide radius provides a unique competitive moat and strong potential for sustained market share growth in one of Georgia’s most dynamic retail corridors.
Kerrigan Advisors’ Role in the Transaction
As one of the most active and respected automotive sell-side advisors in the nation, Kerrigan Advisors brought its extensive transaction experience and regional expertise to the Hennessy divestiture process.
“These are two growth-oriented franchises operating in one of the country’s most dynamic metro markets,” said Ryan Kerrigan, Managing Director of Kerrigan Advisors. “We were honored to represent the Hennessy family in this sale and to leverage our in-depth understanding of the Southeastern auto retail landscape. Given the Hennessy family’s legacy of excellence, it was vital to find the right buyer who shared their commitment to customer service and community values. We congratulate ALM Automotive Group and Khush Bhatia on this strategic expansion of their growing dealership portfolio.”
A Seller’s Perspective: Hennessy’s First-Ever Store Sale
For the Hennessy organization, this transaction represents a landmark moment—the company’s first-ever dealership sale in its more than 60-year history.
“We knew from the beginning that Kerrigan Advisors was uniquely qualified to guide us through this sale, particularly given their proven success in nearby markets,” said Peter Hennessy of Hennessy Automobile Companies. “As this was our first divestiture, we relied heavily on Kerrigan’s deep expertise and meticulous approach. We ultimately selected ALM as our buyer because of their local market knowledge and shared commitment to serving our customer base with excellence.”
ALM Automotive Group: Expanding a Regional Powerhouse
ALM Automotive Group, led by Khush Bhatia, has been a leading retail automotive presence in Georgia and the Carolinas for nearly two decades. The company is known for its entrepreneurial approach, customer-first philosophy, and robust dealership operations across multiple markets.
This acquisition strengthens ALM’s footprint in the greater Atlanta area—one of the most economically dynamic and competitive automotive regions in the nation—and aligns with its strategic objective of expanding scale through selective, high-value acquisitions.
The Strength of the Brands: Mazda and GMC
Both Mazda and GMC are experiencing strong growth momentum in the U.S. market, positioning the newly acquired dealerships for continued success.
- GMC, the top-performing domestic brand for sales growth in 2025, currently leads all American automakers in volume gains. The brand’s vehicles have earned numerous industry accolades, with the Sierra 1500 being named Luxury Truck of the Year and the Canyon recognized as Best Midsize Truck.
- Mazda, meanwhile, has emerged as the fastest-growing import brand in the United States. Since 2019, Mazda has consistently expanded its market share ahead of other import competitors, thanks to a portfolio of stylish and performance-oriented vehicles. Recent highlights include the CX-90 PHEV, awarded Best Plug-In Hybrid SUV of 2025, and the brand’s overall recognition as Best SUV Brand of 2024.
These brand dynamics create a compelling platform for ALM Automotive Group’s continued growth in South Atlanta’s competitive retail landscape.
Atlanta: A Hub of Economic and Automotive Growth
Atlanta’s regional economy provides a powerful backdrop for dealership success. Home to 6.4 million residents, the metro area is the second-largest in the Southeast and the eighth-largest economy in the United States, boasting a GDP exceeding $571 billion.
The city is also home to the third-highest concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, with global brands such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, and Mercedes-Benz USA driving employment and innovation. Over the past six years, Atlanta’s economy has expanded 43%, outpacing the U.S. national growth rate of 20.5%.
Atlanta has also earned numerous accolades, including being ranked:
- #1 Best Place to Live by Money
- #1 Most Educated City in America by Forbes
- #1 Best City to Start a Career by WalletHub
These factors contribute to strong vehicle demand, population inflow, and sustained dealership profitability—making Atlanta an attractive and resilient automotive market.
Ongoing Trends: Consolidation and Regional Expansion
According to Erin Kerrigan, Founder and Managing Director of Kerrigan Advisors, the sale reflects broader market dynamics across the Southern U.S. auto retail sector.
“Buyer demand remains extremely high for well-performing dealerships in the South,” said Kerrigan. “Acquirers are increasingly focused on building local scale and completing tuck-in acquisitions to strengthen regional portfolios, a trend we’ve detailed in our Blue Sky Report®. This transaction exemplifies that strategy—particularly in growth markets like Atlanta, where strong fundamentals continue to attract both institutional and private capital. We anticipate continued consolidation in the Southeastern United States as the region remains a focal point for dealership investment.”
Legal Counsel
The transaction was supported by experienced legal teams:
- Michael Semanie of Semanie Law served as counsel to Hennessy Automobile Companies.
- Eric Gregory of Gregory Law LLC represented ALM Automotive Group.
A Transaction That Reflects the Industry’s Evolution
The sale of Hennessy Mazda and Hennessy GMC marks more than a change in ownership—it symbolizes the evolution of the modern automotive retail environment, where legacy family-owned dealerships are strategically partnering with emerging regional groups to adapt to shifting market dynamics, consumer expectations, and technological transformation.
Through expert advisory, diligent process management, and a deep understanding of local market conditions, Kerrigan Advisors once again demonstrated its role as a trusted leader in dealership transactions—ensuring that both buyer and seller achieved their strategic goals while preserving the customer-centric values that define Atlanta’s automotive landscape.
