If you’ve ever driven through the Southeast or spent a Sunday watching NASCAR, you’ve seen the name. Rick Hendrick isn't just a guy who likes fast cars; he’s the architect of a massive retail machine. But when you start digging into the actual numbers, things get a little fuzzy because the business moves fast.
People ask all the time: how many car dealerships does Rick Hendrick own exactly?
The short answer is that the Hendrick Automotive Group currently operates 97 dealership locations.
Now, if you go to a different website, you might see 93, 94, or even 130+. Why the discrepancy? It's usually because people confuse "dealership locations" with "franchises." One physical building—a location—might actually house three different franchises like Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. If you count every individual brand contract he holds, that number jumps to about 134 franchises.
The Footprint: 13 States and Counting
Rick Hendrick didn't start with a hundred stores. He started with one struggling Chevrolet spot in Bennettsville, South Carolina, back in 1976. He was 26. He was the youngest Chevy dealer in the country.
Fast forward to 2026, and the map of his empire looks like a giant sweep across the southern half of the United States. While the headquarters stays firmly planted in Charlotte, North Carolina, the reach extends from the Atlantic all the way to California.
Where the stores are located
North Carolina is the heart of the operation. Roughly 47% of his footprint is right there in the Tar Heel state. If you live in Charlotte, Concord, or Cary, you can't throw a rock without hitting a Hendrick sign.
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But they've branched out. You’ll find them in:
- Alabama and Florida
- Georgia and South Carolina
- Texas and Kansas
- California and Virginia
It’s a deliberate strategy. They tend to cluster in "auto malls" or high-traffic corridors. In places like Pleasanton, California, or Austin, Texas, they’ve bought up massive plots to build these "luxury malls" where you can browse a BMW, then walk next door to a Lexus or an Acura, all under the same corporate umbrella.
Why the Number Matters (And Why It Changes)
You might think 97 is a static number. It isn't. Rick Hendrick is a deal-maker. He buys and sells dealerships like most people trade in their old iPhones.
Honestly, the Hendrick Automotive Group is the largest privately held automotive retail organization in the U.S. Because it’s private, they don't have to report every single sneeze to Wall Street. But they do share enough to show the scale. They employ over 11,000 people. That’s a small city’s worth of mechanics, salespeople, and managers.
It's more than just selling cars
If you only count the showrooms, you’re missing half the business. To understand the full scope of what he owns, you have to look at the support structures:
- 21 Collision Centers: These are the massive body shops that fix your car after a wreck.
- 4 Accessories Distributor Installers: They handle the "up-fitting"—adding the racks, the rims, and the custom kits.
- HendrickCars.com: This is the digital hub. They realized early on that if you have 97 lots, you need one "virtual" lot to show off all 20,000+ used cars in inventory.
The "Hendrick Way" and Customer Loyalty
You don't get to nearly 100 dealerships by being a shark. Well, maybe a little, but the industry knows Hendrick for "The Hendrick Way." It's basically a corporate philosophy focused on employee culture.
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In 2025, they were named one of the "Best Companies to Work For" by U.S. News. That’s a big deal in the car world, where turnover is usually brutal. When you keep your staff, you keep your customers. They service roughly 2.6 million vehicles a year. That’s where the real money is—not just the sale, but the oil changes and brake jobs for years afterward.
What Brands Does He Actually Own?
It isn't just Chevrolets anymore. While he’s a "Chevy guy" at heart (and on the racetrack), the portfolio is incredibly diverse. He represents about 26 different manufacturer nameplates.
You’ll see the "Rick Hendrick" name on:
- Domestic Giants: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM.
- Import Staples: Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Volkswagen, Mazda.
- High-End Luxury: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, and even Volvo.
If you’re wondering why some are called "Rick Hendrick Chevrolet" and others are "Hendrick BMW," it’s often about branding and legacy. Some stores carry his full name, while others just use the group name to maintain a more "premium" feel.
The Connection to NASCAR
You can't talk about the dealerships without the racing. They feed each other. Hendrick Motorsports is based right next to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, and it's basically a research and development lab for the car business.
The dealership profits fund the racing team, and the racing team's success sells more Silverados. It’s a perfect loop. Drivers like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and William Byron are basically the world's highest-paid brand ambassadors for the 97 stores back home.
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Summary of the Hendrick Empire in 2026
If you're looking for the data-driven breakdown of what the empire looks like right now, here is the reality of the situation:
- Total Dealership Locations: 97
- Total Franchises: 134
- States of Operation: 13
- Annual Vehicle Sales: ~200,000
- Employee Base: 11,000+
- Net Worth of the Owner: Estimated at $1 Billion
Actionable Insights for Car Buyers
If you’re planning to visit one of these 97 locations, there are a few things you should know to navigate the "Hendrick experience" better.
First, leverage the network. Because they own so many stores, they can pull a used car from a lot in Charleston and have it shipped to a lot in Charlotte for you. You aren't limited to what's on the grass in front of you.
Second, check the Hendrick Certified status. They have their own internal warranty and inspection process that is separate from the manufacturer’s CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) program. Sometimes it's a better deal, sometimes it's more restrictive—always read the fine print on the "Hendrick Affordable" vs. "Hendrick Certified" labels.
Finally, use the online portal first. Since the group is so massive, their website, HendrickCars.com, often has better photography and more detailed history reports than individual store sites. Save your favorites there before you ever step foot on a lot.
The scale of what Rick Hendrick owns is staggering, but for the average person, it just means you're never more than a few miles away from a Hendrick sign if you live in the South. The number of dealerships might fluctuate as he buys new stores or consolidates old ones, but the 97-store mark remains the gold standard for privately held auto groups in America.
To get the most out of your next visit, check the specific inventory at your local Hendrick branch online and ask about their "No-Haggle" pricing policies, which vary slightly depending on the specific brand and region. This ensures you're getting the best price across their massive 13-state network.