Selling a Business in Asheville

Owners in the Asheville area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 13,350 employer businesses, and 87% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Asheville by the numbers

13,350

13,350

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

45,922

45,922

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

169,531

169,531

EMPLOYMENT

$8.6 billion

$8.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

5,061

5,061

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 Asheville compares

  • The Asheville area ranks 6th of 15 North Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 12.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 13% of employer businesses in Asheville, compared with 11% in North Carolina.

  • 5,061 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Asheville area ranks 6th of 15 North Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 12.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 13% of employer businesses in Asheville, compared with 11% in North Carolina.

  • 5,061 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,784 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,723 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,536 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,516 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,307 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 1,784 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,723 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,536 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,516 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,307 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

Every kind of business we sell in Asheville

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

1,724 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • General Contracting: 617 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 249 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 201 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 164 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

1,112 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Restaurants & Food

1,077 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Financial & Professional Services

970 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Retail Stores

757 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Automotive & Boat

384 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Auto Repair: 145 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

369 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Home Services

284 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Technology & Media

260 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Wholesale & Distribution

246 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Logistics & Transportation

222 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Hospitality & Travel

196 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Hotels: 139 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 139 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

193 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Hair Salons: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

180 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Entertainment & Recreation

151 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Health & Fitness

123 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

123 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Pet Services

84 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Education & Childcare

79 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Daycare Centers: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

79 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Senior Care & Living

74 related employer businesses in Asheville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,724 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • General Contracting: 617 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 249 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 201 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 164 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

1,112 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Restaurants & Food

1,077 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Financial & Professional Services

970 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Retail Stores

757 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Automotive & Boat

384 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Auto Repair: 145 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

369 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Home Services

284 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Technology & Media

260 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Wholesale & Distribution

246 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Logistics & Transportation

222 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Hospitality & Travel

196 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Hotels: 139 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 139 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

193 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Hair Salons: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

180 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Entertainment & Recreation

151 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Bars & Pubs: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Health & Fitness

123 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

123 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Pet Services

84 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Education & Childcare

79 related employer businesses in Asheville.

  • Daycare Centers: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

79 related employer businesses in Asheville.

Senior Care & Living

74 related employer businesses in Asheville.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Asheville

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Asheville ask

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

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 Asheville?

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 Asheville

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