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Ken Garff Automotive Group
Ken Garff Automotive Group is a family office and auto retail conglomerate founded by Ken Garff in 1932, now led by Brett H.
Ken Garff Automotive Group
Ken Garff founded his first Ford dealership in Salt Lake City in 1932. The business grew under his son Robert H. Garff and then grandson Brett H. Garff, who now serves as CEO. The Garff family maintains full ownership and control, with no external investors. The firm operates across three core activities: automotive retail (selling new and used vehicles across more than 50 dealerships representing brands such as BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and Ford), real estate (owning and managing dealership properties as well as other commercial assets), and private equity/venture investments through a family office arm. Geographic footprint covers Utah—the home market—plus Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana. The firm also holds stakes in automotive technology and service companies, per press reports. Ken Garff Automotive Group employs over 5,000 people. The family office does not publicly disclose AUM or deployment figures, but annual auto retail revenue alone is estimated in the billions (per Forbes, 2021). The firm operates a charitable foundation, the Ken Garff Foundation, which focuses on education and community support. No recent operational events beyond routine dealership acquisitions have been publicly reported in the last 24 months. The Garff family's structure differs from a pure investment office: the core business remains operating dealerships, with the family office acting as a capital allocator for surplus cash. Succession has moved from Ken to Robert to Brett, with family governance handled through a formal family council. The firm's long holding periods and geographic diversification provide a stable capital base for direct investments.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Salt Lake City
Corporate office
Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Additional offices
Winston-Salem · Boston · Ontario · Peachtree Corners · Macon · Pineville · Chantilly · Fort Lauderdale · Boulder
Principals
Ken Garff
Founder
Robert H. Garff
Chairman (former)
Brett H. Garff
CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Ken Garff Automotive Group?
Brett H. Garff, grandson of founder Ken Garff, serves as CEO and leads both the auto retail operations and the family's investment activities. The family office does not publicly list a CIO or separate investment committee. All major capital allocation decisions go through the Garff family council.
How does Ken Garff source proprietary deal flow?
The firm sources opportunities primarily through its automotive industry relationships—deal networks with automakers, suppliers, and service companies—as well as through its real estate holdings and local business ties in Utah and other markets where it operates dealerships. It does not run a formal venture capital outreach program.
Is Ken Garff structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a conglomerate?
It is both. The core business is automotive retail, making it an operating company, but the family also runs a family office for its investment portfolio. The two are financially integrated. The Garff family owns 100% of the entity. No external investors participate in the dealership or investment arms.
What investment stages does Ken Garff typically target?
The firm targets late-stage growth and buyout opportunities, typically in automotive-related sectors, as well as real estate development and commercial property. It does not typically participate in early-stage venture rounds, though it may co-invest in later-stage automotive technology companies.
Does Ken Garff maintain philanthropic structures?
Yes. The firm operates the Ken Garff Foundation, which focuses on education, youth development, and community enrichment. The foundation is separate from the family office and does not invest in for-profit ventures. Donations are made from profits and family contributions.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The wealth originates from the automotive retail business founded by Ken Garff in 1932. He opened a single Ford dealership in Salt Lake City and expanded to over 50 dealerships across multiple states, generating billions in revenue. The family also has significant real estate holdings tied to dealership properties.
Does Ken Garff's family office participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The family office makes both direct investments—such as real estate and automotive technology companies—and limited partner commitments to private equity and venture funds, though the mix is not publicly disclosed. Most of its capital remains tied up in operating dealership assets.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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