Selling a Business in Cherokee County
Cherokee County has 935 employer businesses, and 83% 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 repair, personal care and other services.
Areas in South Carolina
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Cherokee County by the numbers
935
935
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
83%
83%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
3,471
3,471
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
17,983
17,983
EMPLOYMENT
$815 million
$815 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
415
415
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 24th of 46 South Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Cherokee County, compared with 3% in South Carolina.
415 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Cherokee County ranks 24th of 46 South Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Cherokee County, compared with 3% in South Carolina.
415 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 190 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 162 employer businesses
Construction: 91 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 86 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 85 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 190 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 162 employer businesses
Construction: 91 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 86 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 85 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Cherokee County
Retail, repair, personal care and other services, construction, accommodation and food service
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.
Restaurants & Food
79 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Construction & Engineering
76 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Plumbing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
General Contracting: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Retail Stores
67 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
52 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Gas Stations: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Automotive & Boat
47 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Financial & Professional Services
47 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Insurance Agencies: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Manufacturing
40 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Metal Fabrication: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 5 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.
Medical Practices
26 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Primary & Family Care: 9 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.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
17 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
General Freight Trucking: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Education & Childcare
14 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
10 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Services
6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Property Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
5 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Technology & Media
5 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
4 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
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.
Restaurants & Food
79 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Construction & Engineering
76 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Plumbing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
General Contracting: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Retail Stores
67 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
52 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Gas Stations: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Automotive & Boat
47 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Financial & Professional Services
47 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Insurance Agencies: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Manufacturing
40 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Metal Fabrication: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 5 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.
Medical Practices
26 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Primary & Family Care: 9 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.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
17 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
General Freight Trucking: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Education & Childcare
14 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
10 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Services
6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Property Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
6 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
5 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Technology & Media
5 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
4 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Cherokee County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
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.
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