Selling a Business in Dare County

Dare County has 2,079 employer businesses, and 91% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Dare County by the numbers

2,079

2,079

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

91%

91%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,123

6,123

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

16,320

16,320

EMPLOYMENT

$740 million

$740 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

756

756

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 Dare County compares

  • Dare County ranks 30th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 16% of employer businesses in Dare County, compared with 9% in North Carolina.

  • 756 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Dare County ranks 30th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Accommodation and food service makes up 16% of employer businesses in Dare County, compared with 9% in North Carolina.

  • 756 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 447 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 340 employer businesses

  • Construction: 278 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 184 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 149 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 447 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 340 employer businesses

  • Construction: 278 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 184 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 149 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Dare County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Dare 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

298 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Construction & Engineering

295 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • General Contracting: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 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.

Retail Stores

238 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Financial & Professional Services

141 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Medical Practices

70 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Home Services

68 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Property Management: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 18 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.

Hospitality & Travel

62 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Hotels: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

49 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Auto Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Marinas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

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

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Gas Stations & Convenience

49 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Gas Stations: 44 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

39 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

28 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Beauty & Personal Care

17 related employer businesses in Dare County.

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

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

13 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Manufacturing

10 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Logistics & Transportation

6 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Education & Childcare

5 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Daycare Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

5 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Senior Care & Living

4 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Dare County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Dare 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

298 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Construction & Engineering

295 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • General Contracting: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 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.

Retail Stores

238 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Financial & Professional Services

141 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Medical Practices

70 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Home Services

68 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Property Management: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 18 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.

Hospitality & Travel

62 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Hotels: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

49 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Auto Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Marinas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

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

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Gas Stations & Convenience

49 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Gas Stations: 44 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.

Entertainment & Recreation

39 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

28 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Wholesale & Distribution

21 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Beauty & Personal Care

17 related employer businesses in Dare County.

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

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

13 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Manufacturing

10 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Logistics & Transportation

6 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Education & Childcare

5 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Daycare Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

5 related employer businesses in Dare County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Senior Care & Living

4 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Dare County.

Working with owners in Dare County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Dare County ask

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