Founder & Principal: David R. Melton

As Founder & Principal of Melton Advisors, I advise dealer principals and automotive retail ownership groups on acquisitions, ownership transitions, capital strategy, and dealership real estate. My work is built on a simple premise: dealer principals deserve a trusted advisor at the table who understands the business from the inside out—not just the transaction, the franchise, or the real estate.

With more than 40 years of firsthand experience as a dealership operator, executive, advisor, investor, and COO, I bring a perspective that few advisors can offer. I have sat in the same chair as my clients, evaluated the same opportunities, and faced the same decisions. That experience shapes every engagement.

Melton Advisors is advisory-first. I do not lead with transactions, listings, or mandates. I lead with independent counsel. When a transaction is ultimately the right outcome, it should happen on your terms, your timeline, and for the right reasons.

My work generally centers around three areas:

Ownership Transitions & Acquisitions

Whether you are evaluating a future succession plan, considering a sale, pursuing growth through acquisition, or responding to an unexpected opportunity, I provide confidential, principal-led guidance throughout the process. My role is to help dealer principals understand their options, evaluate risk, and make informed decisions from a position of strength.

Capital Strategy

Capital decisions made today shape the opportunities available tomorrow. I advise dealer principals on capital structure, growth planning, recapitalization, liquidity events, and long-term ownership objectives. Every recommendation is evaluated through the lens of flexibility, enterprise value, and future optionality.

Dealership Real Estate

For many dealer principals, real estate represents a significant portion of long-term wealth. I help owners evaluate dealership real estate strategy, sale-leaseback opportunities, facility investments, build-to-suit projects, and equity positioning. The objective is to align real estate decisions with broader ownership, succession, and growth goals.

"I've sat in the same seat as my clients—evaluating acquisitions, navigating ownership transitions, making capital decisions, and developing dealership real estate strategies under real operating pressure. My responsibility is to provide honest counsel, independent perspective, and practical guidance so dealer principals can make confident decisions when the stakes are highest."

— David Melton, Founder & Principal, Melton Advisors