Dealer Direct Advisory

Paul Stern

CEO and Partner

National

Founding President & CEO of Dealer Direct Advisory. Paul has personally led some of the most significant automotive dealership transactions in Canadian history, with a career spanning $6B+ in deal values across sell-side, buy-side, and valuation mandates.

President & CEOSell-Side & Buy-Side Advisory$6B+ Career Deal ValuesFormer Franchised Dealer Principal

Call +1 (416) 543-9390 pstern@dealerdirectcanada.com LinkedIn

"The best deals are the ones that never appear on the market. My job is to find the right buyer before the seller has even decided to sell."

Paul Stern · On the philosophy behind off-market advisory

Biography

Paul Stern is the founding President & CEO of Dealer Direct Advisory and one of the most recognized names in Canadian automotive M&A. His career has been defined by a singular focus: creating transactions that wouldn't otherwise exist, and protecting the interests of the clients who trust him with the most consequential decisions of their professional lives.

Paul's path to advisory was forged through direct operational experience. Before founding Dealer Direct Advisory, he operated as a franchised dealer principal — giving him a perspective on dealership transactions that no purely financial advisor can replicate.

His approach is direct, relationship-driven, and deeply confidential. He does not run public processes or list dealerships on open markets. He identifies the right counterparty, structures the right transaction, and executes with precision.

Paul has personally advised on transactions involving some of Canada's most prominent dealership groups, including the Baywest Group, Toronto Honda, Pine View Hyundai, Aurora Hyundai, and many others.

Paul is known for showing up — sometimes literally — with a compelling, no-games offer that changes the conversation. As one client famously noted: "Be careful if Paul stops by for a coffee. It could cost you a store."

Advisory Philosophy

Paul believes that the most consequential transactions in automotive retail deserve an advisor who has lived the business — not just modelled it.

Career History

Early Career

Franchised Dealer Principal

Operated as a franchised dealer principal across multiple rooftops, building firsthand operational expertise in automotive retail.

1990s

Entry into M&A Advisory

Transitioned from dealer operations into advisory, recognizing a gap in the Canadian market for an advisor with genuine dealer credibility.

2000s

Building the Proprietary Network

Spent a decade cultivating relationships with every major dealer group, OEM, and institutional buyer in Canada.

2010s

Landmark Transactions

Led a series of landmark transactions including the Baywest Group sale, the Toronto Honda transaction, and multiple multi-rooftop portfolio deals.

Present

President & CEO, Dealer Direct Advisory

Continues to personally lead every major mandate at the firm.

Background & Credentials

Former Franchised Dealer Principal — Multi-Rooftop Operations

M&A Advisory Practice — 30+ Years of Active Mandates

Automotive Retail Specialist — Canada & Cross-Border U.S.

OEM Relationship Network — All Major Canadian Franchise Brands

Private Equity & Institutional Buyer Advisory

Contact

Phone

+1 (416) 543-9390

pstern@dealerdirectcanada.com

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Areas of Expertise

Sell-Side Advisory

Buy-Side Advisory

Confidential Transactions

Off-Market Deal Sourcing

Strategic Introductions

Long-Term Advisory

Work With Paul

All inquiries are handled with complete discretion. Reach out to start a confidential conversation.

Get In Touch +1 (416) 543-9390

Notable Transactions

Baywest Group

Sell-Side Advisory

Advised on the sale of the Baywest Group of dealerships to the 401 Group.

Toronto Honda

Sell-Side Advisory

Represented the owners of Toronto Honda in a confidential sale process.

Pine View Hyundai

Sell-Side Advisory

Advised the owners of Pine View Hyundai on a confidential sale.

Aurora Hyundai

Sell-Side Advisory

Represented the principals of Aurora Hyundai in a successful sale transaction.

Many transactions remain undisclosed at client request.

Also on Our Team

View All

Charles J. Saleh

CFO and Partner

Chief Financial Officer at Dealer Direct Advisory specializing in financial analysis, deal structuring, and valuation. Charles brings institutional rigor to every mandate, ensuring clients are represented with the credibility and precision that sophisticated transactions demand.