Selling a Business in Allentown

Owners in the Allentown area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 18,701 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Allentown by the numbers

18,701

18,701

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

67,030

67,030

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

363,793

363,793

EMPLOYMENT

$21.8 billion

$21.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

7,897

7,897

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 Allentown compares

  • The Allentown area ranks 3rd of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Allentown, compared with 3% in Pennsylvania.

  • 7,897 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Allentown area ranks 3rd of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Allentown, compared with 3% in Pennsylvania.

  • 7,897 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 2,521 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 2,451 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 2,256 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,899 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,708 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 2,521 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 2,451 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 2,256 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,899 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,708 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 Allentown

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

Every kind of business we sell in Allentown

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

2,004 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • General Contracting: 491 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 370 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 272 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 272 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 249 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 163 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 152 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

1,777 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Medical Practices

1,402 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Retail Stores

890 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Financial & Professional Services

858 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Automotive & Boat

771 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Auto Repair: 331 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 148 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

768 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Manufacturing

670 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Beauty & Personal Care

561 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Hair Salons: 356 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

428 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Gas Stations & Convenience

379 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Home Services

314 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Education & Childcare

294 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Daycare Centers: 287 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

254 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Entertainment & Recreation

185 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Bars & Pubs: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x 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.

Senior Care & Living

183 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Technology & Media

176 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Hospitality & Travel

160 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Hotels: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

151 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Health & Fitness

151 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Pet Services

82 related employer businesses in Allentown.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

2,004 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • General Contracting: 491 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 370 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 272 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 272 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 249 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 163 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 152 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

1,777 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Medical Practices

1,402 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Retail Stores

890 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Financial & Professional Services

858 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Automotive & Boat

771 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Auto Repair: 331 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 148 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

768 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Manufacturing

670 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Beauty & Personal Care

561 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Hair Salons: 356 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

428 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Gas Stations & Convenience

379 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Home Services

314 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Education & Childcare

294 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Daycare Centers: 287 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

254 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Entertainment & Recreation

185 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Bars & Pubs: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x 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.

Senior Care & Living

183 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Technology & Media

176 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Hospitality & Travel

160 related employer businesses in Allentown.

  • Hotels: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

151 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Health & Fitness

151 related employer businesses in Allentown.

Pet Services

82 related employer businesses in Allentown.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Allentown

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Allentown ask

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

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 Allentown?

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 Allentown

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