DealersEdge

Podcast: Ideal Auto Group Management Structures

In this episode, John Muntz interviews Tom Oldney of OWL Automotive Consulting about the evolution of auto group management structures as dealerships scale from a single store to multi‑store groups. Oldney outlines five growth stages—single‑store, two‑store, local expansion (3‑5 stores), significant growth (6‑10 stores), and major growth (10‑20+ stores)—highlighting the shifting management skill sets, the need for strategic planning, and the challenges of talent acquisition and consistent reporting. He emphasizes the transition from hands‑on owner operators to corporate CEOs and the importance of identifying "constructor" leaders who can turn around underperforming locations. The discussion also covers how culture, standardized processes, and a dedicated management layer can sustain growth and avoid common pitfalls.