Selling a Business in Alexandria

Owners in the Alexandria area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,370 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

Alexandria by the numbers

3,370

3,370

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

11,173

11,173

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

48,465

48,465

EMPLOYMENT

$2.4 billion

$2.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,557

1,557

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 Alexandria compares

  • The Alexandria area ranks 9th of 10 Louisiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 18% of employer businesses in Alexandria, compared with 12% in Louisiana.

  • 1,557 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Alexandria area ranks 9th of 10 Louisiana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 18% of employer businesses in Alexandria, compared with 12% in Louisiana.

  • 1,557 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 612 employer businesses

  • Retail: 563 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 352 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 293 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 271 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 612 employer businesses

  • Retail: 563 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 352 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 293 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 271 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 Alexandria

Health care and social assistance, retail, repair, personal care and other services, professional and technical services

Every kind of business we sell in Alexandria

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

Medical Practices

334 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Construction & Engineering

232 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Plumbing: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • General Contracting: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Electrical: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

229 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Retail Stores

217 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Financial & Professional Services

182 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Gas Stations & Convenience

121 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Automotive & Boat

119 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

66 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Home Services

65 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Logistics & Transportation

65 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Wholesale & Distribution

63 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Manufacturing

60 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Beauty & Personal Care

44 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Nail Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 15 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.

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

Education & Childcare

41 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Daycare Centers: 37 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.

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

Energy & Utilities

36 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Senior Care & Living

34 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Hospitality & Travel

28 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Hotels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

23 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Bars & Pubs: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 14 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.

  • 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

19 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Health & Fitness

15 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

Medical Practices

334 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Construction & Engineering

232 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Plumbing: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • General Contracting: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Electrical: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

229 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Retail Stores

217 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Financial & Professional Services

182 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Gas Stations & Convenience

121 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Automotive & Boat

119 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

66 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Home Services

65 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Logistics & Transportation

65 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Wholesale & Distribution

63 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Manufacturing

60 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Beauty & Personal Care

44 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Nail Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 15 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.

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

Education & Childcare

41 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Daycare Centers: 37 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.

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

Energy & Utilities

36 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Senior Care & Living

34 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Hospitality & Travel

28 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Hotels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

23 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

  • Bars & Pubs: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 14 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.

  • 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

19 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Health & Fitness

15 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Alexandria.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Alexandria

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Alexandria ask

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

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 Alexandria?

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 Alexandria

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