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Polk County

Selling a Business in Polk County

Polk County has 670 employer businesses, and 88% 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

Polk County by the numbers

670

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

88%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,187

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

10,640

EMPLOYMENT

$479 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

272

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 Polk County compares

Polk County ranks 58th of 159 Georgia counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 12.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Polk County, compared with 3% in Georgia.
272 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Polk County ranks 58th of 159 Georgia counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 12.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Polk County, compared with 3% in Georgia.
272 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 140 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 83 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 81 employer businesses
Construction: 74 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 61 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 140 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 83 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 81 employer businesses
Construction: 74 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 61 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Polk County

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service, construction

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Barber Shops

Beauty & Personal Care

Day Spas

Beauty & Personal Care

Auto Parts

Automotive & Boat

Auto Repair

Automotive & Boat

Every kind of business we sell in Polk County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Polk 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

80 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

65 related employer businesses in Polk County.

General Contracting: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x 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.
Electrical: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Gas Stations & Convenience

44 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Gas Stations: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Financial & Professional Services

37 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Insurance Agencies: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 4 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.

Retail Stores

36 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

31 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Primary & Family Care: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

22 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

17 related employer businesses in Polk County.

General Freight Trucking: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Manufacturing

17 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Metal Fabrication: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

12 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Property Management: 5 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.

Hospitality & Travel

9 related employer businesses in Polk 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

6 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Daycare Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

6 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

4 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Real Estate Media: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

80 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

65 related employer businesses in Polk County.

General Contracting: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x 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.
Electrical: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Gas Stations & Convenience

44 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Gas Stations: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Financial & Professional Services

37 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Insurance Agencies: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 4 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.

Retail Stores

36 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

31 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Primary & Family Care: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

22 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

17 related employer businesses in Polk County.

General Freight Trucking: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Manufacturing

17 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Metal Fabrication: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

12 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Property Management: 5 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.

Hospitality & Travel

9 related employer businesses in Polk 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

6 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Daycare Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

6 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

4 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Polk County.

Real Estate Media: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.

Working with owners in Polk County

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

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Polk County ask

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