Selling a Business in Macon County

Macon County has 1,282 employer businesses, and 92% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Macon County by the numbers

1,282

1,282

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

92%

92%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,799

3,799

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

10,736

10,736

EMPLOYMENT

$465 million

$465 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

502

502

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 Macon County compares

  • Macon County ranks 46th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 12.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 18% of employer businesses in Macon County, compared with 11% in North Carolina.

  • 502 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Macon County ranks 46th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 12.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 18% of employer businesses in Macon County, compared with 11% in North Carolina.

  • 502 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 234 employer businesses

  • Retail: 219 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 151 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 140 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 112 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 234 employer businesses

  • Retail: 219 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 151 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 140 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 112 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Macon County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Macon 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

246 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • General Contracting: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

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

  • Plumbing: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 5 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

115 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Retail Stores

107 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Financial & Professional Services

92 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Medical Practices

68 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Automotive & Boat

44 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Auto Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

24 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Hotels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

20 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Beauty & Personal Care

19 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

17 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

16 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Gas Stations: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Manufacturing

15 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Property Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

13 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Energy & Utilities

9 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Senior Care & Living

6 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Education & Childcare

5 related employer businesses in Macon County.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

5 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Technology & Media

5 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Creative Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Macon County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Macon 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

246 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • General Contracting: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

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

  • Plumbing: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Civil Engineering: 5 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

115 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Retail Stores

107 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Financial & Professional Services

92 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Medical Practices

68 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Automotive & Boat

44 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Auto Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

24 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Hotels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

20 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Beauty & Personal Care

19 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

17 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

16 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Gas Stations: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Manufacturing

15 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Property Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

13 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Energy & Utilities

9 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Health & Fitness

8 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Senior Care & Living

6 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Education & Childcare

5 related employer businesses in Macon County.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

5 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Technology & Media

5 related employer businesses in Macon County.

  • Creative Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Macon County.

Working with owners in Macon County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Macon County ask

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