Selling a Business in Athens County
Athens County has 1,030 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.
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LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Athens County by the numbers
1,030
1,030
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
85%
85%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
3,825
3,825
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
13,467
13,467
EMPLOYMENT
$570 million
$570 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
499
499
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 Athens County compares
Athens County ranks 48th of 88 Ohio counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 0.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Accommodation and food service makes up 15% of employer businesses in Athens County, compared with 10% in Ohio.
499 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Athens County ranks 48th of 88 Ohio counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 0.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Accommodation and food service makes up 15% of employer businesses in Athens County, compared with 10% in Ohio.
499 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 174 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 156 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 147 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 118 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 73 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 174 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 156 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 147 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 118 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 73 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Athens County
Retail, accommodation and food service, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Athens County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Athens County. 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
126 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
70 related employer businesses in Athens County.
General Contracting: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
53 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Primary & Family Care: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Dental Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
42 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
41 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Insurance Agencies: 16 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.
Wealth Management: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Real Estate Brokerages: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
34 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
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 Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
28 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Gas Stations: 23 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.
Home Services
19 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Property Management: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
18 related employer businesses in Athens County.
General Freight Trucking: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Manufacturing
17 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
17 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
15 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
15 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
12 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Hair Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
12 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Hotels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
10 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 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.
Education & Childcare
9 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Daycare Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
3 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Athens County. 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
126 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
70 related employer businesses in Athens County.
General Contracting: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
53 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Primary & Family Care: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Dental Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
42 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
41 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Insurance Agencies: 16 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.
Wealth Management: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Real Estate Brokerages: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
34 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
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 Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
28 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Gas Stations: 23 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.
Home Services
19 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Property Management: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
18 related employer businesses in Athens County.
General Freight Trucking: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Manufacturing
17 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
17 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
15 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
15 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
12 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Hair Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
12 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Hotels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
10 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 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.
Education & Childcare
9 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Daycare Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Technology & Media
3 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
3 related employer businesses in Athens County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Working with owners in Athens County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Athens County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Athens County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Athens County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.
How is a business valued in Athens 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 Athens 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