Phil Mammolito Knows How to Broker Fast and Effective Hospitality Deals
Phil Mammolito knows how to broker fast and effective hospitality deals
When Phil Mammolito sold a caravan park in Victoria within 24 hours, matching a buyer before the listing even went public, it wasn’t luck. It was the result of decades of hospitality experience, deep local knowledge and a well-established network of buyers. The sale is a clear example of how strongly his background informs his work as a broker at CRE Brokers.
From Operator To Broker
Phil Mammolito didn’t start out as a business broker. He spent many years owning and operating hotels, motels, accommodation venues, restaurants and even service stations. With a young family and his wife Danielle keen to shift gears, Phil made a pivotal decision to sell his businesses and engaged CRE Brokers to manage the process.
That experience sparked his interest in brokering full-time.
He joined CRE Brokers as a broker over 15 years ago and, through years of commitment, industry expertise and trusted leadership, was invited to become a Shareholder and Director of Connolly Roberts Estate Agents.
Building a Hands-On Brokerage Practice
Today, Phil is based in Melbourne and primarily operates across Victoria, specialising in the sale of motels, hotels, pubs and caravan parks. As a senior member of the CRE team and an owner of the business, his experience and oversight extend beyond state borders when needed, allowing him to support transactions and clients in other states.
What truly sets Phil and his colleagues apart is their continued involvement in hospitality themselves. He and other senior brokers don’t just sell accommodation businesses, they own and operate them. This means they understand the realities of day-to-day operations, from staffing and room management systems to the finer details that matter on the ground.
As Phil puts it, “If you sell a motel to a first-timer, you can show them how to do a hospital fold on a bed.”
What Makes His Approach Different
That operational experience gives Phil and CRE a real point of difference. They aren’t just salespeople selling buildings. They’re practitioners who know the hospitality business inside out.
For first-time buyers, that hands-on support can make a big difference, especially when they’re unfamiliar with motel or caravan park management.
Because many of CRE’s brokers remain active operators, they can speak knowledgeably about yield, occupancy, regulatory requirements, management realities, and what a buyer needs to run the business successfully. That’s a layer of credibility many brokers lack.
A Memorable Sale: Lealow Caravan Park, Victoria
One of Phil’s stand-out recent deals involved the sale of the Lealow Caravan Park at Lakes Entrance. He managed to match a buyer and a seller so quickly that the property sold within 24 hours (before it was even publicly listed). “We do a few like that, but you've got to know your buyer. Because I've been doing it for so long, I often know a suitable buyer for the business,” Phil explained.
Deals like this illustrate not just speed, but trust. A seller trusting him to market the business privately, and the buyer being confident enough to act quickly.
Observations On The Market
Phil has seen clear shifts across the hospitality property market in recent years, particularly in how different asset classes are valued and traded. Caravan parks and motels tend to operate within similar yield ranges, while pubs often viewed as slightly higher risk typically transact on higher yield thresholds.
He also notes a growing presence of corporate buyers in caravan parks and larger pub assets, a trend that has pushed valuations higher and made it increasingly difficult for traditional “mum and dad” buyers to compete.
For pubs in particular, Phil believes management is the defining factor. Underperforming venues, or those run under management, can present strong opportunities when placed in the right hands.
As Phil puts it plainly, “There’s no such thing as a bad pub really. It’s all about the management.”
He adds, “I’ve got some great success stories where we’ve sold pubs turning over $300,000 or $400,000 a year. With the right operator in place, within a couple of years they’re turning over ten times that, and the venue becomes a true destination.”
Why Broking Suits Him and Might Suit Others
Phil recommends business broking for people who value flexibility and a balanced lifestyle. While property inspections and negotiations often involve weekends, he says in business broking you can “plan your day around it,” giving time for family, travel or downtime. “We encourage everyone to look at themselves as running their own business,” he added.
It’s not always easy and he cautions new brokers that they must be prepared for the demanding communication load. That involves handling dozens of enquiries on popular listings, keeping track of buyer and vendor due diligence, and juggling back-office administration once something is under offer. But for those willing to work hard, the lifestyle and rewards can be worthwhile.
Broader Role Within CRE Brokers
At CRE, Phil is part of a broader team of around 20 brokers working across all states. Together they offer tailored services for the tourism and leisure sector from motels, hotels, caravan parks, bars, pubs, management rights to cafes and more.
That national footprint and deep sector-specific expertise make CRE a go-to firm for clients looking to buy or sell hospitality assets across Australia. Phil’s twin background (as an operator and a business broker) strengthens the firm’s value proposition, especially for buyers who need more than a sales transaction but guidance on running the business.
Reflections And Future Outlook
Phil’s journey from running accommodation venues, to selling them, to building a broking career across multiple states shows how operator experience can be a real advantage in hospitality broking. His understanding of day-to-day operations, insight into what buyers actually look for, and belief that “management matters more than location” all shape the way he works.
He still spends time managing motels, supported by his wife, and that ongoing hands-on involvement keeps his broking grounded and authentic. As tourism and leisure continue to evolve, and more accommodation assets move toward corporate ownership, his background becomes even more valuable for smaller, independent buyers entering the market.
In an industry where the performance of an accommodation business relies just as much on practical expertise as strong financials, Phil Mammolito and CRE Brokers stand out by bridging both sides of the industry.
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