Selling a Business in Athens

Owners in the Athens area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,372 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Athens by the numbers

5,372

5,372

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

20,514

20,514

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

73,654

73,654

EMPLOYMENT

$3.7 billion

$3.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,120

2,120

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 Athens compares

  • The Athens area ranks 5th of 14 Georgia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 10.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 15% of employer businesses in Athens, compared with 11% in Georgia.

  • 2,120 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Athens area ranks 5th of 14 Georgia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 10.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 15% of employer businesses in Athens, compared with 11% in Georgia.

  • 2,120 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 781 employer businesses

  • Retail: 719 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 625 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 530 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 491 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 781 employer businesses

  • Retail: 719 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 625 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 530 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 491 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 Athens

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

561 related employer businesses in Athens.

Construction & Engineering

549 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • General Contracting: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

475 related employer businesses in Athens.

Financial & Professional Services

400 related employer businesses in Athens.

Retail Stores

283 related employer businesses in Athens.

Automotive & Boat

136 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Auto Repair: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

136 related employer businesses in Athens.

Gas Stations & Convenience

123 related employer businesses in Athens.

Home Services

115 related employer businesses in Athens.

Beauty & Personal Care

102 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Hair Salons: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

100 related employer businesses in Athens.

Logistics & Transportation

88 related employer businesses in Athens.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

80 related employer businesses in Athens.

Wholesale & Distribution

80 related employer businesses in Athens.

Entertainment & Recreation

62 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Bars & Pubs: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 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.

  • 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

56 related employer businesses in Athens.

Senior Care & Living

45 related employer businesses in Athens.

Education & Childcare

44 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Daycare Centers: 40 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.

Hospitality & Travel

39 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Hotels: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

26 related employer businesses in Athens.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in Athens.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

561 related employer businesses in Athens.

Construction & Engineering

549 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • General Contracting: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

475 related employer businesses in Athens.

Financial & Professional Services

400 related employer businesses in Athens.

Retail Stores

283 related employer businesses in Athens.

Automotive & Boat

136 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Auto Repair: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

136 related employer businesses in Athens.

Gas Stations & Convenience

123 related employer businesses in Athens.

Home Services

115 related employer businesses in Athens.

Beauty & Personal Care

102 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Hair Salons: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

100 related employer businesses in Athens.

Logistics & Transportation

88 related employer businesses in Athens.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

80 related employer businesses in Athens.

Wholesale & Distribution

80 related employer businesses in Athens.

Entertainment & Recreation

62 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Bars & Pubs: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 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.

  • 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

56 related employer businesses in Athens.

Senior Care & Living

45 related employer businesses in Athens.

Education & Childcare

44 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Daycare Centers: 40 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.

Hospitality & Travel

39 related employer businesses in Athens.

  • Hotels: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

26 related employer businesses in Athens.

Pet Services

17 related employer businesses in Athens.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Athens

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Athens ask

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

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 Athens?

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 Athens

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