Selling a Business in Chester County

Chester County has 15,102 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.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Chester County by the numbers

15,102

15,102

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

48,677

48,677

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

262,454

262,454

EMPLOYMENT

$22.1 billion

$22.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

5,838

5,838

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 Chester County compares

  • Chester County ranks 5th of 67 Pennsylvania counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 16% of employer businesses in Chester County, compared with 10% in Pennsylvania.

  • 5,838 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Chester County ranks 5th of 67 Pennsylvania counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 16% of employer businesses in Chester County, compared with 10% in Pennsylvania.

  • 5,838 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 2,464 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,625 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,537 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,498 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,353 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 2,464 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,625 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,537 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,498 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,353 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Chester County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Chester 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

1,967 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • General Contracting: 530 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 412 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 239 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 220 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 220 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 190 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Masonry: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

1,019 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Medical Practices

992 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Restaurants & Food

953 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Retail Stores

519 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Automotive & Boat

481 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Auto Repair: 243 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

403 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Wholesale & Distribution

377 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Beauty & Personal Care

351 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Hair Salons: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Technology & Media

281 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Home Services

276 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

231 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Health & Fitness

163 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Education & Childcare

158 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Daycare Centers: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

156 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

146 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Gas Stations: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Entertainment & Recreation

123 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

110 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Pet Services

99 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Hospitality & Travel

90 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Hotels: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

75 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Land & Agriculture

7 related employer businesses in Chester County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Chester 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

1,967 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • General Contracting: 530 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 412 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 239 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 220 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 220 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 190 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Masonry: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

1,019 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Medical Practices

992 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Restaurants & Food

953 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Retail Stores

519 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Automotive & Boat

481 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Auto Repair: 243 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

403 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Wholesale & Distribution

377 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Beauty & Personal Care

351 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Hair Salons: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Technology & Media

281 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Home Services

276 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

231 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Health & Fitness

163 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Education & Childcare

158 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Daycare Centers: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

156 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

146 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Gas Stations: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Entertainment & Recreation

123 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

110 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Pet Services

99 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Hospitality & Travel

90 related employer businesses in Chester County.

  • Hotels: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

75 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Land & Agriculture

7 related employer businesses in Chester County.

Working with owners in Chester County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Chester County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Chester 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 Chester 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 Chester 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