Selling a Business in Abilene

Owners in the Abilene area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,173 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Abilene by the numbers

4,173

4,173

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

15,213

15,213

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

64,764

64,764

EMPLOYMENT

$3.1 billion

$3.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,880

1,880

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 Abilene compares

  • The Abilene area ranks 19th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 11% of employer businesses in Abilene, compared with 9% in Texas.

  • 1,880 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Abilene area ranks 19th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 11% of employer businesses in Abilene, compared with 9% in Texas.

  • 1,880 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 616 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 475 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 469 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 432 employer businesses

  • Construction: 421 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 616 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 475 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 469 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 432 employer businesses

  • Construction: 421 employer businesses

What buyers look for

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Abilene

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Abilene

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Abilene. 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

412 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • General Contracting: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

366 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Medical Practices

278 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Financial & Professional Services

252 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Retail Stores

219 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Automotive & Boat

170 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Auto Repair: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

133 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Gas Stations & Convenience

110 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Manufacturing

96 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Wholesale & Distribution

85 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Energy & Utilities

82 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Beauty & Personal Care

57 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Hair Salons: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

57 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Hospitality & Travel

57 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Hotels: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

52 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Entertainment & Recreation

34 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Technology & Media

32 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Health & Fitness

30 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Education & Childcare

26 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Daycare Centers: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

22 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Abilene.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Abilene. 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

412 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • General Contracting: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

366 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Medical Practices

278 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Financial & Professional Services

252 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Retail Stores

219 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Automotive & Boat

170 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Auto Repair: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Logistics & Transportation

133 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Gas Stations & Convenience

110 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Manufacturing

96 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Wholesale & Distribution

85 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Energy & Utilities

82 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Beauty & Personal Care

57 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Hair Salons: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

57 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Hospitality & Travel

57 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Hotels: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

52 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Entertainment & Recreation

34 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Technology & Media

32 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Health & Fitness

30 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Education & Childcare

26 related employer businesses in Abilene.

  • Daycare Centers: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

22 related employer businesses in Abilene.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Abilene.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Abilene

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Abilene ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Abilene?

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 Abilene?

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 Abilene

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