Selling a Business in Cleveland County

Cleveland County has 2,028 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

Cleveland County by the numbers

2,028

2,028

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

7,120

7,120

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

30,800

30,800

EMPLOYMENT

$1.4 billion

$1.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

874

874

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 Cleveland County compares

  • Cleveland County ranks 31st of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Cleveland County, compared with 3% in North Carolina.

  • 874 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Cleveland County ranks 31st of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Cleveland County, compared with 3% in North Carolina.

  • 874 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 394 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 294 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 230 employer businesses

  • Construction: 198 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 177 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 394 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 294 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 230 employer businesses

  • Construction: 198 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 177 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Cleveland County

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

Every kind of business we sell in Cleveland County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Cleveland 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

214 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • General Contracting: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

170 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Medical Practices

119 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Retail Stores

115 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Automotive & Boat

107 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Auto Repair: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

Financial & Professional Services

91 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Manufacturing

85 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

84 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Gas Stations: 65 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.

Logistics & Transportation

51 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Home Services

36 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Property Management: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 12 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

34 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Wholesale & Distribution

32 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Daycare Centers: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

23 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Beauty & Personal Care

16 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Hair Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x 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.

Health & Fitness

15 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Hospitality & Travel

14 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Technology & Media

12 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Entertainment & Recreation

11 related employer businesses in Cleveland 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.

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

Pet Services

10 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Cleveland 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

214 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • General Contracting: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

170 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Medical Practices

119 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Retail Stores

115 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Automotive & Boat

107 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Auto Repair: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

Financial & Professional Services

91 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Manufacturing

85 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

84 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Gas Stations: 65 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.

Logistics & Transportation

51 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Home Services

36 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Property Management: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 12 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

34 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Wholesale & Distribution

32 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Daycare Centers: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

23 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Beauty & Personal Care

16 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Hair Salons: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x 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.

Health & Fitness

15 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Hospitality & Travel

14 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

  • Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Technology & Media

12 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Entertainment & Recreation

11 related employer businesses in Cleveland 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.

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

Pet Services

10 related employer businesses in Cleveland County.

Working with owners in Cleveland County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Cleveland County ask

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