Home

Sell a Business

North Carolina

Cherokee County

Selling a Business in Cherokee County

Cherokee County has 649 employer businesses, and 90% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here. The largest industries here are retail and construction.

Get a Free Valuation

Areas in North Carolina

AlexanderAlleghanyAnsonAshe Asheville Avery Beaufort Bertie BladenBrunswickBuncombeBurkeBurlingtonCabarrusCaldwellCamdenCarteret CaswellCatawbaCharlotteChathamCherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus CravenCumberlandCurrituckDareDavidsonDavieDuplin Durham-Chapel HillEdgecombeFayettevilleForsythFranklinGastonGatesGoldsboro Graham Granville Greene Greensboro Greenville Guilford County Halifax Hampton Roads Harnett HaywoodHendersonHertford HickoryHokeHydeIredellJackson JacksonvilleJohnstonJonesLee LenoirLincolnMaconMadisonMartin McDowell Mecklenburg County Mitchell MontgomeryNashNew HanoverNorthamptonOrangePamlico PasquotankPenderPerquimansPersonPinehurst-Southern Pines Polk RaleighRandolphRichmond RobesonRockinghamRocky MountRowanRutherford Sampson Scotland StanlyStokesSurry Swain TransylvaniaTyrrellUnionVanceWakeWarren Washington Watauga Wilkes Wilmington Wilson Winston-SalemYadkinYancey

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Cherokee County by the numbers

649

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

90%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

2,682

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

7,678

EMPLOYMENT

$303 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

239

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How Cherokee County compares

Cherokee County ranks 68th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 11.9% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 19% of employer businesses in Cherokee County, compared with 14% in North Carolina.
239 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Cherokee County ranks 68th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 11.9% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 19% of employer businesses in Cherokee County, compared with 14% in North Carolina.
239 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 125 employer businesses
Construction: 88 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 81 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 77 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 74 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 125 employer businesses
Construction: 88 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 81 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 77 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 74 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Cherokee County

Retail, construction, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Carpentry & Framing

Construction & Engineering

Civil Engineering

Construction & Engineering

Audio Visual (AV)

Home Services

Commercial Cleaning

Home Services

Every kind of business we sell in Cherokee County

These are the industries in Cherokee County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

74 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

63 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

43 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

42 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Primary & Family Care: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

39 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Real Estate Brokerages: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Automotive & Boat

30 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Auto Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

12 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Metal Fabrication: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

10 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Gas Stations: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Hospitality & Travel

10 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

9 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

7 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Propane & Fuel Distribution: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Pet Grooming & Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

5 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Daycare Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

4 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

4 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

General Freight Trucking: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

3 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Hair Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

3 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Bars & Pubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

74 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

63 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

43 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

42 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Primary & Family Care: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

39 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Real Estate Brokerages: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Automotive & Boat

30 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Auto Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

12 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Metal Fabrication: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

10 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Gas Stations: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Hospitality & Travel

10 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

9 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

7 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Propane & Fuel Distribution: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Pet Grooming & Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

5 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Daycare Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

4 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

4 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

General Freight Trucking: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

3 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Hair Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

3 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Bars & Pubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.

Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Working with owners in Cherokee County

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Cherokee County. Contact us to talk about a sale.

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Cherokee County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Cherokee County?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.

How is a business valued in Cherokee County?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in Cherokee County

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article