Selling a Business in Covington County
Covington County has 864 employer businesses, and 89% 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
Covington County by the numbers
864
864
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
89%
89%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,441
2,441
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
9,841
9,841
EMPLOYMENT
$435 million
$435 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
375
375
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 Covington County compares
Covington County ranks 26th of 67 Alabama counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 6.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 22% of employer businesses in Covington County, compared with 17% in Alabama.
375 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Covington County ranks 26th of 67 Alabama counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 6.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Retail makes up 22% of employer businesses in Covington County, compared with 17% in Alabama.
375 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 191 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 98 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 93 employer businesses
Construction: 78 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 76 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 191 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 98 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 93 employer businesses
Construction: 78 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 76 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Covington County
Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, construction
Every kind of business we sell in Covington County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Covington 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
63 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
62 related employer businesses in Covington County.
General Contracting: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Plumbing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
59 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Primary & Family Care: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
58 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
48 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Insurance Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Automotive & Boat
44 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
39 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Gas Stations: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
21 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 5 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.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
20 related employer businesses in Covington County.
General Freight Trucking: 17 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.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
19 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Energy & Utilities
17 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Home Services
10 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Residential Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
9 related employer businesses in Covington 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.
Education & Childcare
7 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Daycare Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
6 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Hair Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
6 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Covington 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
63 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Construction & Engineering
62 related employer businesses in Covington County.
General Contracting: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Plumbing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
59 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Primary & Family Care: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
58 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
48 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Insurance Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Automotive & Boat
44 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
39 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Gas Stations: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
21 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 5 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.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
20 related employer businesses in Covington County.
General Freight Trucking: 17 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.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
19 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Energy & Utilities
17 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Home Services
10 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Residential Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Pest Control: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
9 related employer businesses in Covington 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.
Education & Childcare
7 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Daycare Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
6 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Hair Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
6 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Covington County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Working with owners in Covington County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Covington County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Covington County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Covington 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 Covington 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 Covington 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