Selling a Business in Lee County

Lee County has 2,550 employer businesses, and 82% 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 health care and social assistance.

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Lee County by the numbers

2,550

2,550

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

8,181

8,181

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

47,607

47,607

EMPLOYMENT

$2.4 billion

$2.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,229

1,229

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 Lee County compares

  • Lee County ranks 6th of 82 Mississippi counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Lee County, compared with 4% in Mississippi.

  • 1,229 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Lee County ranks 6th of 82 Mississippi counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Lee County, compared with 4% in Mississippi.

  • 1,229 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 510 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 343 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 262 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 237 employer businesses

  • Finance and insurance: 200 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 510 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 343 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 262 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 237 employer businesses

  • Finance and insurance: 200 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Lee County

Retail, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service, repair, personal care and other services

Every kind of business we sell in Lee County

These are the industries in Lee 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

257 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Retail Stores

214 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Medical Practices

201 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Financial & Professional Services

147 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Construction & Engineering

123 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • General Contracting: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • 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.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

96 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Automotive & Boat

93 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

Logistics & Transportation

90 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

86 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Gas Stations: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Wholesale & Distribution

79 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

46 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Home Services

40 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

39 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Daycare Centers: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

37 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Hotels: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

28 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Hair Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Technology & Media

16 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Health & Fitness

11 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

6 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Lee County.

These are the industries in Lee 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

257 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Retail Stores

214 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Medical Practices

201 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Financial & Professional Services

147 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Construction & Engineering

123 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • General Contracting: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • 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.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

96 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Automotive & Boat

93 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Auto Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

Logistics & Transportation

90 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

86 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Gas Stations: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Wholesale & Distribution

79 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

46 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Home Services

40 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

39 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Daycare Centers: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

37 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Hotels: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

28 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Hair Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

28 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Technology & Media

16 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Health & Fitness

11 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

6 related employer businesses in Lee County.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Lee County.

Working with owners in Lee County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Lee County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Lee 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 Lee 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