Selling a Business in Haywood County

Haywood County has 1,546 employer businesses, and 89% 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.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Haywood County by the numbers

1,546

1,546

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,953

5,953

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

16,322

16,322

EMPLOYMENT

$703 million

$703 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

588

588

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 Haywood County compares

  • Haywood County ranks 39th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Haywood County, compared with 10% in North Carolina.

  • 588 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Haywood County ranks 39th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 9.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Haywood County, compared with 10% in North Carolina.

  • 588 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 244 employer businesses

  • Construction: 209 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 197 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 178 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 148 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 244 employer businesses

  • Construction: 209 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 197 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 178 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 148 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Haywood County

These are the industries in Haywood 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

222 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • General Contracting: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

141 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Financial & Professional Services

122 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Retail Stores

82 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Medical Practices

79 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Automotive & Boat

54 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Auto Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Hospitality & Travel

38 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Hotels: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

32 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Gas Stations: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

26 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Logistics & Transportation

25 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Beauty & Personal Care

23 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Hair Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Home Services

23 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Property Management: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

17 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Education & Childcare

14 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

14 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Energy & Utilities

13 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Pet Services

11 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Entertainment & Recreation

6 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Senior Care & Living

4 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

These are the industries in Haywood 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

222 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • General Contracting: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

141 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Financial & Professional Services

122 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Retail Stores

82 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Medical Practices

79 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Automotive & Boat

54 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Auto Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Hospitality & Travel

38 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Hotels: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

32 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Gas Stations: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

26 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Logistics & Transportation

25 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Beauty & Personal Care

23 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Hair Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Home Services

23 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Property Management: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

17 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Education & Childcare

14 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

  • Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

14 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Energy & Utilities

13 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Pet Services

11 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Entertainment & Recreation

6 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Senior Care & Living

4 related employer businesses in Haywood County.

Working with owners in Haywood County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Haywood County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Haywood 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 Haywood 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