Selling a Business in Bedford County
Bedford County has 889 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.
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LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Bedford County by the numbers
889
889
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
87%
87%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
3,965
3,965
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
14,839
14,839
EMPLOYMENT
$756 million
$756 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
367
367
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 Bedford County compares
Bedford County ranks 28th of 95 Tennessee counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 13.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Construction makes up 13% of employer businesses in Bedford County, compared with 8% in Tennessee.
367 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Bedford County ranks 28th of 95 Tennessee counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 13.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Construction makes up 13% of employer businesses in Bedford County, compared with 8% in Tennessee.
367 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 166 employer businesses
Construction: 114 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 101 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 97 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 85 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 166 employer businesses
Construction: 114 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 101 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 97 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 85 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Bedford County
Retail, construction, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance
Every kind of business we sell in Bedford County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Bedford 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.
Construction & Engineering
95 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
General Contracting: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
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.
Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
77 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Automotive & Boat
46 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Car Dealerships: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Repair: 10 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.
Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Retail Stores
45 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Medical Practices
42 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Primary & Family Care: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
41 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Insurance Agencies: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Gas Stations & Convenience
37 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
36 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
General Freight Trucking: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Manufacturing
33 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Metal Fabrication: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Home Services
16 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
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.
Pest Control: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Education & Childcare
14 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
9 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Packaging, Paper & JanSan Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
8 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Hotels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
6 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
5 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
4 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
3 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Bedford 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.
Construction & Engineering
95 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
General Contracting: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
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.
Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
77 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Automotive & Boat
46 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Car Dealerships: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Repair: 10 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.
Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Retail Stores
45 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Medical Practices
42 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Primary & Family Care: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
41 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Insurance Agencies: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Gas Stations & Convenience
37 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
36 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
General Freight Trucking: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Manufacturing
33 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Metal Fabrication: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Home Services
16 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
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.
Pest Control: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Education & Childcare
14 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
9 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Packaging, Paper & JanSan Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
8 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Hotels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
6 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
5 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Health & Fitness
4 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
3 related employer businesses in Bedford County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Bedford County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Bedford County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Bedford County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Bedford 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 Bedford 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 Bedford 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