FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Haig Partners LLC, the leading buy-sell advisory firm to auto, heavy truck and RV dealers in the U.S., served as the exclusive sell-side advisor to the owners of Bulldog Kia on its sale to Butler Automotive Group. Bulldog Kia, located in Athens, GA, was owned by David Kernall and James Hammond. Butler Automotive Group is led by brothers Marsh and Morris Butler and is based in Macon, GA.
Bulldog Kia owner and operator David Kernall originally partnered with Jim Keffer of Keffer Auto Group to purchase the dealership in 2010. David, alongside his current partner James Hammond, later obtained full ownership in 2020 through Keffer’s “GM-to-owner” buyout program. Under David’s leadership, Bulldog Kia transformed into a top-performing Kia store in the state of GA and a pillar of the Athens community, supporting charitable causes like Extra Special People, Breast Cancer Awareness and Sparrow's Nest Athens.
When discussing the transaction, David Kernall said, “My journey at Bulldog Kia has been immensely fulfilling. I’ve had the pleasure of serving customers in the Athens area for well over a decade. My proudest achievements have been the charitable work my team has done around the Athens community and the tight-knit family of employees that we’ve fostered at Bulldog Kia. I’d like to thank Derek Garber and Markus Haig at Haig Partners for the critical role they played throughout the transaction. They understood the unique values and culture we’ve built at Bulldog Kia. For me, it wasn't just about finding a buyer; it was about finding the right steward to carry on our same level of commitment to our customers, community and employees. Derek expertly navigated the market to identify a buyer whose vision aligned with our ethos. His diligence and commitment ensured that our legacy would continue to thrive under new ownership. I’d also like to thank our attorney Frank Killgore of Killgore & Pearlman, P.A. Due to his extensive experience, Frank did a great job in resolving all legal matters for us.”
With the purchase of Bulldog Kia, Butler Automotive Group now owns and operates 15 dealerships in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. Marsh Butler said, “We are excited to add Bulldog Kia, our first Kia dealership, to our growing company that is committed to providing an excellent customer experience and building a close family of team members. The team at Bulldog Kia shares these same values and we are excited to add them to our team. We look forward to serving the Athens community and upholding the legacy that David and James have built.”
Derek Garber, Vice President of Haig Partners, said, “Working with David to find the right buyer for Bulldog Kia was a deeply rewarding experience. This sale not only reflects the high demand for Kia dealerships but also aligns with our commitment to facilitating transactions that honor the seller's legacy and community impact. The demand for Kia dealerships continues to rise, even as the market normalizes, as buyers believe that dealerships will continue to generate attractive returns and have confidence in the business model moving forward.”
The team at Haig Partners has been involved in the purchase or sale of 13 Kia stores nationwide, and the sale of Bulldog Kia represents the 210th dealership the team has bought or sold in the Southeast region. Most recently in the Southeast, Haig Partners advised on the sales of Duval Motor Company, Hollywood Kia, Greenway of the Shoals, Toyota of North Charlotte, South Motors / Vista Motors and Vic Bailey Automotive.
About Haig Partners
Haig Partners is a leading buy-sell advisory firm that helps owners of higher-value auto, truck, RV and motorsports dealerships maximize the value of their businesses when they are ready to sell. The team at Haig Partners has advised on the purchase or sale of more than 595 dealerships with a total value of over $11.7 billion. It has represented 29 dealership groups that qualify for the Top 150 Dealership Groups list published by Automotive News, more than any other firm. Clients of Haig Partners benefit from the group's collective experience as previous executives with leading companies such as Ally Financial, AutoNation, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, FORVIS, J.P. Morgan, the Sewell Automotive Companies and Toyota Financial Services. Leveraging its unmatched expertise and extensive relationships, Haig Partners guides clients to successful outcomes through a confidential and customized sales process. The firm authors The Haig Report®, the leading industry quarterly report that tracks trends in auto retail and their impact on dealership values, and co-authors NADA’s Guide, “Buying and Selling a Dealership.” Haig Partners team members are frequent speakers at industry conferences and are regularly quoted in reputable media outlets, including Reuters, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNBC, BBC, Automotive News, Wards, CarDealershipGuy and CBT News. For more information, visit www.haigpartners.com.
