The Nicholas Family of Companies has announced the acquisition of Schaumburg-based Joseph Nicholas Construction Corporation (JNC), a construction firm specializing in auto dealerships. JNC will become a dedicated automotive facility construction studio within The Nicholas Family of Companies, leveraging JNC’s specialized expertise to meet the growing demand for automotive facility and dealership projects nationwide.
JNC joins Nicholas & Associates, the diversified construction arm of the Nicholas Family of Companies, a second-generation firm serving the public and private market sectors in Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida since 1978.
The U.S. auto dealership market was worth $2.95 trillion in 2025 and should reach $3.68 trillion over the next five years, per Mordor Intelligence. Currently, there are approximately 16,000 franchised dealerships in the country. Construction is being driven by increased renovation and new builds for luxury, import and domestic stores, according to the American International Automobile Dealers Association.
“When JNC came to us about a sale, we realized it presented a unique opportunity to bring a respected, well-established construction firm with a specialized niche into our organization,” said Chris Coleman, president of the Nicholas Family of Companies. “This acquisition is particularly exciting for our Nicholas & Associates division, allowing us to take on more car dealership construction projects and meet growing market demand.”
Although sharing similar names, JNC is not affiliated with the Papanicholas family of the Nicholas Family of Companies. The acquisition unites two independent, family-led businesses, combining over a decade of expertise in automotive facility construction under one portfolio. As part of the transition, JNC will relocate its headquarters from Schaumburg to the Nicholas Family of Companies headquarters in nearby Mount Prospect.
Joey Mariconda, director of construction for JNC, will join Nicholas & Associates as director of its automotive facility construction studio.
“There were so many similarities between our companies that this move felt like a natural fit,” said Mariconda, whose late father founded JNC in 2009. “Both businesses are second-generation, family-run operations in construction, and several subcontractors encouraged me to bring the idea to the Nicholas Family of Companies. Joining Nicholas & Associates gives us the opportunity to take what we’ve built to a national level. We will begin by focusing on Indiana, Wisconsin and Florida, but ultimately, we’ll selectively go where the work takes us and continue to raise the bar.”
Nicholas & Associates has previously served as the general contractor and construction manager for car dealerships in Illinois and Minnesota; however, the integration of JNC will enhance these capabilities and accelerate growth in the Chicagoland area and beyond.
“Automotive facility construction is a very niche market that relies on relationships,” said Coleman. “Once a manufacturer sees the quality of your work, it often recommends you to other dealers as they plan new projects. With this acquisition of JNC and their key personnel, we are getting an established, well-regarded player in the field that already has myriad national connections, which will fuel our future growth.”
About The Nicholas Family of Companies:
The Nicholas Family of Companies is a second-generation, family-owned and -operated organization headquartered in Mount Prospect, Ill., with additional offices in Wisconsin and Florida. Wingspan Development Group, Nicholas & Associates, Spectate Group, and Big Fish Hospitality are part of its distinctly different and deliberately personal Family of Companies. To learn more, visit nicholasfoc.com.
About Nicholas & Associates:
Founded in 1978, Nicholas & Associates is a comprehensive construction management firm providing design/build and general contracting services for projects in the recreation, education, municipal, automotive and mixed-use sectors. The family-run firm transforms visions to build environments with a personal approach, making it “distinctly different and deliberately personal.” Nicholas & Associates has offices in the Chicagoland area, Tampa and Milwaukee with a growing national portfolio of projects. To learn more, visit nicholasquality.com.
The Nicholas Family of Companies announced the acquisition of Schaumburg-based Joseph Nicholas Construction Corporation (JNC), a construction firm specializing in auto dealerships.