Selling a Business in Rutherford County

Rutherford County has 1,289 employer businesses, and 87% 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.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Rutherford County by the numbers

1,289

1,289

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,905

4,905

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

16,815

16,815

EMPLOYMENT

$704 million

$704 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

547

547

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 Rutherford County compares

  • Rutherford County ranks 45th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 16% of employer businesses in Rutherford County, compared with 10% in North Carolina.

  • 547 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Rutherford County ranks 45th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 16% of employer businesses in Rutherford County, compared with 10% in North Carolina.

  • 547 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 209 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 201 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 142 employer businesses

  • Construction: 139 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 122 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 209 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 201 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 142 employer businesses

  • Construction: 139 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 122 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Rutherford County

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, construction

Every kind of business we sell in Rutherford County

These are the industries in Rutherford 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

136 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • General Contracting: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

97 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Financial & Professional Services

64 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Medical Practices

61 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Retail Stores

53 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Automotive & Boat

52 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

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

  • Auto Repair: 16 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 Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

42 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

39 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Hospitality & Travel

22 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

21 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Property Management: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

20 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Logistics & Transportation

17 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Wholesale & Distribution

13 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Beauty & Personal Care

8 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

8 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Health & Fitness

6 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

These are the industries in Rutherford 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

136 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • General Contracting: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

97 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Financial & Professional Services

64 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Medical Practices

61 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Retail Stores

53 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Automotive & Boat

52 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

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

  • Auto Repair: 16 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 Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

42 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

39 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Hospitality & Travel

22 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

21 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Property Management: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

20 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Logistics & Transportation

17 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Wholesale & Distribution

13 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Beauty & Personal Care

8 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

8 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Health & Fitness

6 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Rutherford County.

Working with owners in Rutherford County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Rutherford County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Rutherford 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 Rutherford 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