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Franklin County

Selling a Business in Franklin County

Franklin County has 1,278 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Franklin County by the numbers

1,278

1,278

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,768

3,768

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

16,897

16,897

EMPLOYMENT

$869 million

$869 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

561

561

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 Franklin County compares

  • Franklin County ranks 16th of 120 Kentucky counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 8.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Franklin County, compared with 10% in Kentucky.

  • 561 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Franklin County ranks 16th of 120 Kentucky counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 8.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Franklin County, compared with 10% in Kentucky.

  • 561 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 197 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 175 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 168 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 137 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 130 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 197 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 175 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 168 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 137 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 130 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Franklin County

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, professional and technical services

Every kind of business we sell in Franklin County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Franklin 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

117 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Medical Practices

93 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Construction & Engineering

77 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • General Contracting: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

Financial & Professional Services

66 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Retail Stores

62 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Automotive & Boat

47 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 5 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.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

44 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

30 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Manufacturing

23 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Senior Care & Living

19 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Logistics & Transportation

17 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

16 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Hospitality & Travel

13 related employer businesses in Franklin 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.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

12 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Hair Salons: 8 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.

Education & Childcare

12 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Home Services

11 related employer businesses in Franklin 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.

  • Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Technology & Media

11 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Health & Fitness

9 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Entertainment & Recreation

7 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Franklin 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

117 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Medical Practices

93 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Construction & Engineering

77 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • General Contracting: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

Financial & Professional Services

66 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Retail Stores

62 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Automotive & Boat

47 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 5 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.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

44 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

30 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Manufacturing

23 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Senior Care & Living

19 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Logistics & Transportation

17 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

16 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Hospitality & Travel

13 related employer businesses in Franklin 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.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

12 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Hair Salons: 8 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.

Education & Childcare

12 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Home Services

11 related employer businesses in Franklin 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.

  • Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Technology & Media

11 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Health & Fitness

9 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Entertainment & Recreation

7 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Franklin County.

Working with owners in Franklin County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Franklin County ask

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