What Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions does

Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions is a privately held, full-service auto dealership brokerage firm headquartered in Southlake, Texas. The firm provides buy-side and sell-side intermediary services for new car dealership transactions across the United States, serving single-point family-owned dealers, multi-rooftop private dealer groups, and large publicly traded retailers. Pinnacle's client roster includes Lithia Motors (50+ transactions since 1996), Sonic Automotive (50+ since 1997), Penske Automotive Group, Larry Van Tuyl/VT Companies (30+ over 30 years), Sutherlin Automotive Group, Ed Morse Automotive Group, Khoury Group, and 2Autogroup, among others. The firm states it has completed over 850 transactions representing over $40 billion in client proceeds, with active deal flow documented across at least 18 states including Texas, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

The firm's product surface is intentionally narrow: two core services — Sell-Side Services (confidential sale representation) and Buy-Side Services (acquisition advisory) — delivered through direct, relationship-driven consultation rather than a technology platform. There is no proprietary technology stack, API, or software product; the firm's value proposition rests entirely on the principals' cellular relationships with dealer principals and OEM contacts, its no-upfront-fee success-based compensation model, and a transaction-fee pricing structure with rates negotiated confidentially per engagement. Distribution is exclusively direct — no resellers, distributors, or marketplace channels — supported by press releases, a LinkedIn company page, organic content, and testimonials published on the firm's website.

Pinnacle's leadership team centers on Founder and CEO Bill Scrivner (started selling dealerships at age 23; 30+ years industry tenure), President Mike Sims (former JP Morgan Chase), Executive Vice President Wes Hamilton (joined 2014; oversees new business development), Chief Operating Officer JB Douglas, and Executive Advisor Dennis J. Thornhill (nearly four decades at Toyota Motor North America, joined 2024). The team cites 85 years of combined industry experience. Ownership is private and undisclosed; the firm reports 1–10 employees and was founded in 2000 per firmographic records.

Name

Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions

Legal name

Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions

Website

https://pinnaclemergers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions is a privately held Southlake, Texas-based auto dealership brokerage firm providing buy-side and sell-side advisory services to U.S. dealers and dealer groups, working on a success-based transaction-fee model with no upfront fees and over 850 closed deals reported.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Auto Dealership Brokerage

akta.pro primary industry

M&A Advisory (Buy-Side & Sell-Side) (BPAHAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Buy-Side Search & Acquisition Advisory (FSAEAIAD), Divestitures, Carve-Outs & Spin-Off Advisory (FSAEAGAL)

Keywords

• Auto dealership brokerage
• Dealership M&A advisory
• Buy-side representation
• Sell-side representation
• Automotive retail transactions

Headquarters

HQ city

Southlake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Dealership Brokerage Commission (Success-Based): Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions is compensated on a success basis — the firm does not charge upfront fees to retain its buy-side or sell-side services and only receives payment when a transaction closes. Commission rates are negotiated confidentially with clients and are not publicly disclosed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions is an auto dealership brokerage firm that provides buy-side and sell-side intermediary services for new car dealership transactions across the United States. The firm represents dealership sellers in confidential sale processes and advises dealership buyers on acquisitions across all major automotive brands (Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, Lexus, Toyota, Ford, etc.). Services are delivered on a no-upfront-fee, success-based commission model.

Product overview

Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions is a service-based auto dealership brokerage firm offering two core service offerings: Sell-Side Services and Buy-Side Services. The company facilitates the buying and selling of new car dealerships across all brands (Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Lexus, Toyota, Ford, etc.) nationwide. Their services include confidential representation, deal structuring, buyer/seller matching, and transaction facilitation. They operate on a success-fee basis with no upfront costs. The company has completed over 850 transactions representing over $40 billion in proceeds for clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sell-Side Services Confidential sell-side representation for auto dealership owners and dealer groups, covering valuation, buyer matching, OEM franchise approval navigation, deal structuring, and transaction closing across all major automotive brands nationwide.
• Buy-Side Services Buy-side acquisition advisory for dealer groups and individual dealers seeking to expand into new markets, acquire additional franchises, or grow through dealership acquisitions, leveraging Pinnacle's proprietary network and off-market deal flow.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 850 dealership transactions completed
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Ed Morse Automotive GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026Pinnacle represented Ed Morse Automotive Group in the acquisition of Porsche Des Moines from Jason Pittack/Woodhouse Auto Family. This marked Ed Morse's expansion in the Iowa market and Pinnacle's first completed transaction with Ed Morse. Ed Morse operates 59 dealerships with over 2,800 employees.
• Team Gillman / Gilchrist AutomotiveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Pinnacle represented Team Gillman in the sale of Team Gillman Chevrolet in Houston to Gilchrist Automotive. This was Pinnacle's fourth transaction with Team Gillman, with the relationship spanning more than two decades. Charlie Gilchrist of Gilchrist Automotive praised Pinnacle: 'Mike Sims and Wes Hamilton made for a smooth and seamless transaction.'
• Artem Boguslavskiy (Berlin City Dealerships acquirer)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2026Pinnacle advised on the sale of six Berlin City dealerships (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Chevrolet GMC) in Gorham, New Hampshire from Alex Gillett to Artem Boguslavskiy, expanding Boguslavskiy's growing automotive portfolio in New England.
• Bolton Automotive / 2AutogroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Pinnacle represented seller Bolton Automotive in the sale of Brookshire Hyundai to 2Autogroup (Paul Tew and Jordan Peterson). This was Pinnacle's first transaction with Bolton Automotive and the fourth completed transaction with 2Autogroup since April 2024. 2Autogroup operates nine brands across Colorado and New Mexico.
• Dream Motor Group (Nick Saban / Joe Agresti)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Pinnacle facilitated the $151 million sale of Toyota of Montgomery and Lexus of Montgomery from Sutherlin Automotive Group to Dream Motor Group, led by Nick Saban and Joe Agresti. This was the tenth transaction between Pinnacle and Sutherlin Automotive Group, and marked Dream Motor Group's expansion into the Southeast U.S. market.
• Sutherlin Automotive Group / Brett SutherlincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Pinnacle has completed 10+ transactions with Brett Sutherlin and Sutherlin Automotive Group, including the $151M sale of Toyota of Montgomery and Lexus of Montgomery. Brett Sutherlin stated: 'Mike has been an incredible partner.' Sutherlin is recognized for tech-forward operations and nine-figure exits in the automotive sector.
• Larry Van Tuyl / VT CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 December 2024Pinnacle has a 30+ year relationship with Larry Van Tuyl spanning more than 30 successful transactions. Pinnacle has sold Van Tuyl all but three of his current dealerships across Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and California. Recent transactions include Groove Toyota (Dec 2024) and Groove Subaru Denver (Jan 2025).
• Andy Unanue / Sutherlin Nissan of Vero Beach buyerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2024Pinnacle represented Sutherlin Automotive Group in the sale of Sutherlin Nissan of Vero Beach to Andy Unanue, who renamed the store Nissan of Vero Beach. This was Pinnacle's fourth transaction with Sutherlin in the past year.
• Corwin Automotive GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2024Pinnacle represented Corwin Automotive Group in the purchase of Groove Honda in Colorado Springs, CO from Summit Automotive Partners. Pinnacle has facilitated multiple transactions for Corwin throughout a longstanding relationship. Corwin is recognized as one of the best auto groups in the country.
• Khoury Group / Nick KhourymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2024Pinnacle has completed four transactions with the Khoury Group since April 2024, including the acquisition of Waco Mitsubishi from Douglass Automotive Group. Nick Khoury, President & CEO of Khoury Group, stated: 'Wes Hamilton is very much in tune with our growth strategy and always presents us with acquisition opportunities that fit our strategy.'
• Sonic AutomotivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2024Pinnacle has maintained a relationship with Sonic Automotive spanning more than 50 transactions dating back to 1997. Pinnacle has represented Sonic Automotive on both the buy-side and sell-side across over 24 states and 25+ brands. Notable deals include Mercedes-Benz of Nashville, Toyota of Fort Worth, and Massey Cadillac in Dallas.
• Xavier Cortes / Cortes NissanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2024Pinnacle represented Sonic Automotive in the sale of Dave Smith Nissan in Spokane, WA to Xavier Cortes, marking Cortes' fourth dealership acquisition in Washington. Cortes stated: 'Working with JB and the Pinnacle team was an amazing experience. I look forward to doing more business with Pinnacle in the future.'
• Bill Piercey / Tom Chadwell / Piercey Automotive GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2024Pinnacle represented Bill Piercey and Tom Chadwell in the sale of Honda World of Westminster (CA) to Gee Auto Group. This was the fifth transaction Bill Scrivner facilitated for Piercey and Chadwell. Tom Chadwell stated: 'I have the highest level of respect for Bill Scrivner's abilities and would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone.'
• Wallace Automotive (Baker Family)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 September 2023Pinnacle facilitated the sale of Fairway Ford and Fairway Volkswagen in Kingsport, TN to Wallace Automotive (Baker family). Pinnacle represented the estates of John King and Sam Anderson in the transaction. TC Baker stated: 'Opportunities to grow close to home don't come often. Mike and the sellers were great to work with.'
• Lithia MotorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2023Pinnacle has represented Lithia Motors in over 50 transactions as both buyer and seller dating back to 1996. Recent deals include Ferrari of Denver (May 2026, seller representation) and Toyota of Gallatin (March 2026, seller representation). Bryan DeBoer, President & CEO of Lithia Motors, has stated: 'Bill Scrivner and his team get things done — they keep things simple and calm, making both buyers and sellers comfortable to accomplish their goals.'

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• BDA Partners: BDA Partners is a global M&A advisor with established automotive and dealer-services deal experience, providing buy-side and sell-side advisory that overlaps with Pinnacle's M&A intermediary role at the larger end of the market.
• Stout: Stout is a global advisory firm with a consumer and automotive M&A practice that engages in dealership and dealer-group buy- and sell-side mandates, making it a broader incumbent competitor to Pinnacle's niche.
• Houlihan Lokey: Houlihan Lokey is a global investment bank with a dedicated automotive retail and dealerships M&A practice, competing for larger buy-side and sell-side mandates that overlap with Pinnacle's larger transactions.

Direct peers

• Haig Partners: Haig Partners is a leading M&A advisory firm exclusively focused on buy-side and sell-side representation for U.S. auto dealerships — the most direct competitive comparable to Pinnacle's franchise and business model.
• Kerrigan Advisors: Kerrigan Advisors is a specialized auto dealership M&A advisory firm representing dealers and dealer groups in buy-side and sell-side transactions across the U.S., making it a direct head-to-head competitor to Pinnacle.

Emerging players

• Sun Mergers & Acquisitions: Sun M&A is a lower middle-market M&A advisor with auto dealer and dealer-services transaction experience, providing buy-side and sell-side advisory comparable in scope to Pinnacle's smaller mandates.
• Maximize Market Value: Maximize Market Value is a smaller auto dealership M&A advisory firm offering buy-side and sell-side services to dealers and dealer groups, with a similar transaction-fee model and overlapping client base to Pinnacle.
• Performance Brokerage Services: Performance Brokerage Services is a dealership M&A advisor with a similar transaction-fee model focused on RV, marine, and powersports dealerships — adjacent to Pinnacle's auto-dealership franchise with comparable buyer/seller intermediary services.
• NRC Realty & Capital Advisors: NRC Realty & Capital Advisors provides M&A and real estate services to auto dealers and dealer groups, with overlap in sell-side advisory and dealership portfolio transactions, complementing Pinnacle's core offering.
• George Vatis & Associates: George Vatis & Associates is an automotive retail consulting and M&A advisory firm serving dealers and dealer groups, providing transaction and valuation services comparable to Pinnacle's intermediary offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pinnacle-mergers-acquisitions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions