Presidio Group Advises Five Star Automotive on Strategic Sale of Five Georgia Dealerships to ALM Automotive Group
The Presidio Group LLC (“Presidio”), a leading independent merchant banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions, capital advisory, and strategic investments across the automotive retail and consumer mobility sectors, has successfully advised Five Star Automotive Group (“Five Star”) on the sale of five franchised dealerships in central Georgia. The transaction, which closed on December 15, represents a significant strategic realignment for both buyer and seller and underscores the continued momentum in the U.S. automotive dealership mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market.
The portfolio of dealerships sold includes Genesis of Macon, Five Star Mazda, Five Star Hyundai Warner Robins, Five Star Hyundai Macon, and Five Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Macon. In addition to the operating assets, the transaction also encompassed the purchase of all associated dealership real estate, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the deal and the long-term commitment of the buyer to the region.
The acquiring company, ALM Automotive Group (“ALM”), continues to expand its presence in the franchised dealership space through targeted acquisitions that complement its existing geographic footprint. For Five Star, the sale represents a carefully considered move designed to unlock capital, enhance portfolio balance, and support growth initiatives in other markets.
A Strategic Decision to Support Long-Term Growth
For Five Star Automotive Group, the transaction was not an exit from the region but rather a strategic portfolio adjustment aimed at strengthening the company’s long-term competitive position. By divesting select assets in Macon and Warner Robins, Five Star is positioning itself to redeploy capital into markets with greater expansion potential while maintaining a meaningful presence in middle Georgia through its remaining dealerships.
“This sale allows us to diversify further and continue strengthening our position across regions while still serving middle Georgia with several great stores,” said Wes Pope, vice president and operating partner of Five Star Automotive. “It’s a strategic move for our group to maintain a balanced portfolio with an eye toward growth.”
Pope emphasized that the decision was rooted in disciplined portfolio management rather than market conditions, highlighting a broader trend among large dealership groups to actively evaluate their holdings and make data-driven decisions about where to invest for maximum long-term return.
“Working with Presidio’s team on this sale was key to its success,” Pope added. “They know the dealership M&A business inside and out, and their attention to detail made a real difference every step of the way.”
ALM Automotive Group Expands Its Franchised Footprint
For ALM Automotive Group, the acquisition aligns closely with its strategic objective of expanding its franchised dealership operations while strengthening its presence in high-growth regional markets. The Macon and Warner Robins areas represent attractive opportunities due to their stable economies, strong consumer demand, and favorable demographic trends.
“We are excited to welcome these dealerships and their dedicated staff into the ALM family,” said Khush Bhatia, CEO of ALM Automotive Group. “The Macon and Warner Robins markets fit perfectly into ALM’s footprint, and adding more franchised new-vehicle dealerships is a strategic growth play for ALM.”
Bhatia also highlighted the role Presidio played in facilitating the transaction, noting the long-standing professional relationship between ALM and Presidio’s advisory team.
“I’ve known and trusted the Presidio team for a long time, so it was an easy decision to pursue this acquisition when they reached out to me,” he said.
The addition of these five dealerships not only expands ALM’s brand portfolio but also enhances its scale and operational efficiencies, allowing the group to better serve customers across multiple segments while deepening OEM relationships.
Presidio’s Growing Presence in the Southeast Dealership Market
The transaction marks Presidio’s third dealership sale advisory engagement in the greater Atlanta region this year, where the firm’s dealership M&A team is based. The Southeast continues to be one of the most active regions in the U.S. dealership transaction market, driven by population growth, economic resilience, and sustained consumer demand for both new and used vehicles.
“It was an honor for us at Presidio to help Five Star pursue its long-term strategic goals through this transaction,” said Alex Watterson, managing director at The Presidio Group. “This move allows Five Star to maintain its significant presence in its home market of Macon, while also fueling its expansion in high-potential markets elsewhere.”
Watterson noted that transactions like this reflect a broader shift in dealership strategy, where leading groups are increasingly focused on optimizing their portfolios rather than simply accumulating rooftops.
“This kind of growth-focused strategy by talented dealership executives is driving robust activity levels in the broader dealership transaction market,” he said.
Strategic Portfolio Management Driving M&A Momentum
The Five Star–ALM transaction serves as a clear example of how strategic portfolio management has become a defining feature of today’s dealership M&A environment. Rather than reacting to external pressures, top-performing dealership groups are proactively reshaping their asset bases to align with long-term goals, capital efficiency, and evolving consumer behavior.
“Strategic portfolio management is becoming a hallmark of leading dealership groups,” said George Karolis, president of The Presidio Group. “The Presidio team has advised many dealership groups on these focused portfolio realignments throughout 2025, and we foresee many more targeting such actions as we head into 2026.”
Karolis added that despite ongoing challenges in the automotive retail landscape — including margin normalization, inventory balancing, and evolving OEM requirements — overall deal activity remains strong.
“Overall deal activity is robust, and we expect that to continue into next year,” he said.
This outlook reflects broader industry confidence in the dealership model, particularly for well-capitalized groups that are leveraging scale, technology, and geographic diversification to sustain profitability.
Comprehensive Advisory and Legal Support
The transaction was supported by experienced legal counsel on both sides. Seller legal counsel was provided by Ken Jones, general counsel of Five Star Automotive, while buyer legal counsel was provided by Eric Gregory of Gregory Law LLC. Their involvement ensured a smooth and efficient closing process, particularly given the inclusion of real estate assets and multiple franchised brands.
Presidio provided exclusive advisory services to Five Star Automotive through its wholly owned investment bank, Presidio Merchant Partners LLC. The firm’s role encompassed strategic positioning, buyer outreach, transaction structuring, and negotiation support, reflecting its deep specialization in dealership transactions.
About Five Star Automotive Group
Five Star Automotive Group is a family-owned automotive retailer based in Macon, Ga. Established in 1986, the dealership group has grown to 30 locations across the South and Midwest representing 19 major automotive brands. Five Star dealerships sell new, used and certified pre-owned vehicles and provide service and parts.
About ALM Automotive Group
ALM Automotive Group was founded in 2006 with standalone used-vehicle stores in metro Atlanta. ALM has since expanded its reach and now operates 18 franchised dealerships and six standalone preowned dealerships at 24 locations in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. ALM offers a fully online car buying experience.
About The Presidio Group LLC
The Presidio Group was founded in 1998 with the simple mission to relentlessly put the interests of its clients first. By steadfastly adhering to this philosophy, the firm has earned the trust of clients throughout the United States. During their careers, the professionals at Presidio have collectively closed more than 295 transactions for nearly $20.0 billion. The Presidio Group, based in Denver and Atlanta, publishes Presidio Perspectives: A Quarterly Outlook on Auto Retail and M&A Trends, a leading source of information about the automotive retail landscape. Presidio Merchant Partners LLC is a subsidiary of The Presidio Group LLC and is a member of FINRA and SIPC.
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